Latest news with #Cascio
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Michael Jackson Estate Accuses Former Manager Of $213M Extortion Plot
The Michael Jackson Estate has ignited a legal firestorm, filing a petition against longtime Jackson associate Frank Cascio for allegedly orchestrating a $213 million extortion scheme. The case accuses Cascio of violating a confidential agreement by threatening to publicly reveal allegedly damaging and false claims about the King of Pop, years after he had defended his innocence. Michael Jackson Estate Alleges Betrayal By Trusted Insider Once a trusted confidant hailed as part of Jackson's "second family," Frank Cascio is now at the center of a shocking legal battle. On Tuesday, the Michael Jackson Estate and The Michael Jackson Company, LLC submitted a petition to the Los Angeles Superior Court, accusing Cascio of attempting a massive civil extortion. In the court documents obtained by The Blast, the estate alleges that Cascio, along with unnamed accomplices, demanded hundreds of millions of dollars to prevent the release of what they claim are false and defamatory accusations against the late pop icon. "For over 30 years, Mr. Cascio proudly described himself as part of Michael's 'second family,' and repeatedly and publicly denied any misconduct by Mr. Jackson," a spokesperson for the estate told The Blast in a written statement. "Now, years after Michael's passing, Mr. Cascio is attempting to profit by reversing his position and manufacturing claims he previously denounced as false." Michael Jackson Estate Cites Violation Of Confidential Agreement At the heart of the legal dispute is a 2020 Confidential Acquisition and Consulting Agreement, which includes strict confidentiality and non-disparagement clauses, as well as a binding arbitration clause. According to the estate, Cascio's current legal team, led by celebrity attorney Mark Geragos, who once defended Jackson, threatened to go public with the claims unless a massive settlement was reached. "This is a straightforward case of civil extortion and breach of contract," said Martin D. Singer, the estate's attorney. "We will not allow the legacy of Michael Jackson to be exploited through threats and falsehoods." The estate is seeking a court order to force Cascio into arbitration and prevent any public legal filings that could damage Jackson's posthumous reputation. Arbitration proceedings reportedly began in September 2024 and remain ongoing. Frank Cascio Faces Explosive Gambling Allegations The lawsuit against Cascio comes two months after he faced allegations connected to unpaid gambling debts and questionable arrangements with Instagram models. The 45-year-old reportedly contacted models through the platform, Seeking Arrangement, allegedly paying for their company on private outings. Two influencers, Grace Glenn and Julia Geraci, recounted their unsettling experiences, revealing how their encounters with Cascio spiraled into something far darker. "Frank was super chill and generous. Seemed like a really normal person and was polite. He paid for Ubers, dinner, and everything else," Grace told The Blast. She added, "But then we were approached by random men literally outside our hotel. They told us that he owed a lot of money and they would pay us for any information, and they wanted to know where he was. We thought it was a prank at first, but after a few minutes, we realized it was serious." Julia echoed the concern. "It was scary. I matched with him on SA (Seeking Arrangement) and thought he was just a rich guy with a lot of success in the music industry. He didn't have any Instagram or even Facebook when we tried to look him up or anything." She continued, "At first, we thought it was just a catfish account until we called him on FaceTime. I thought maybe he could help us network or at least just have some fun." Instagram Models Claim Cascio Vanished After Debt Collectors Showed Up Grace and Julia, who have a combined following of over three million, say they were blindsided by men seeking repayment of more than $200,000 in alleged gambling debts owed by Cascio. Julia later claimed, "He stopped responding to my texts and blocked me on SA (Seeking Arrangement)." Cascio, whose ties to the Jackson family once granted him rare insider access, has remained silent amid mounting questions. With no active social media presence or public statement, the former manager continues to elude the spotlight. Michael Jackson's Friendship With Frank Cascio Cascio first met Jackson in 1984 and quickly became part of the pop star's trusted inner circle. By the age of 18, he had joined Jackson's team as an assistant and later became his manager. In interviews and his memoir, "My Friend Michael: An Ordinary Friendship with an Extraordinary Man," Cascio frequently reminisced about their deep bond. "We established a real friendship. We became a big family; Michael was a part of our family. Every Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthday—we made a point to celebrate together. It became tradition for all of us," he told HuffPost. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Michael Jackson's Biopic Hit With Third Blow Amid Estate Issues
's highly anticipated biopic has received what fans hope will be its final postponement after multiple hiccups. The movie covering the late King of Pop's life and career has faced three significant delays in its release date since its announcement. The biopic's premiere was rescheduled from April 2025 to October 2025, and now to April 24, 2026. Sources claim the drama surrounding Michael Jackson's biopic has burdened his young nephew, Jaafar Jackson, who portrays him in the movie. Additionally, the late singer's estate is currently at odds with his longtime associate over a $213 million extortion scheme. Michael Jackson's Biopic Postponed To 2026 According to new reports, Michael's biopic has officially been scheduled for release on Friday, April 24, 2026. It will have a global theatrical debut and be available on IMAX screens, marking its third and hopefully its last postponement. The delay with "Michael" began over the biopic's length, leading to it getting split into two movies to cover the late singer's illustrious career and life. There was a first cut in excess of 3½ hours, which also featured the second reason for postponement. The initial cut of the movie referenced Jordan Chandler, who had accused Michael of molestation at 13. The late entertainer infamously settled the shocking claims for $20 million in 1994; however, he did so without admitting guilt. Producers were forced to edit these controversial parts after production had ended because it was revealed that Chandler had an agreement that stopped him from being featured in the biopic. As for the movie's second half, Deadline reported it was still under development. The Late Singer's Estate At War With His Longtime Associate The new release date for Michael's biopic comes weeks after The Blast reported a war was brewing between his estate and his longtime associate, Frank Cascio. The Michael Jackson Estate and The Michael Jackson Company, LLC submitted a petition to the Los Angeles Superior Court early this month. The plaintiffs accused Cascio of orchestrating a $213 million extortion scheme, claiming he threatened to spread false allegations about Michael. A spokesperson for the estate noted in a statement that Cascio had spent over three decades as one of Michael's biggest supporters. However, he suddenly changed his tune for a massive payout. "Mr. Cascio proudly described himself as part of Michael's 'second family,' and repeatedly and publicly denied any misconduct by Mr. Jackson. Now, years after Michael's passing, Mr. Cascio is attempting to profit by reversing his position and manufacturing claims he previously denounced as false," the rep claimed. The King Of Pop's Former Pal Allegedly Violated A Confidential Agreement In the petition, Michael's estate claimed Cascio's actions violated the terms of a 2020 Confidential Acquisition and Consulting Agreement. They noted that the document included strict confidentiality and non-disparagement clauses, as well as a binding arbitration clause. "This is a straightforward case of civil extortion and breach of contract. We will not allow the legacy of Michael Jackson to be exploited through threats and falsehoods," the estate's attorney Martin D. Singer declared. The petition implored the court to force Cascio into arbitration and prevent damage to Michael's reputation. Cascio's issues with Michael's estate came two months after social media influencers accused him of having gambling debts. Content creators Grace Glenn and Julia Geraci claimed they were approached by unknown men who wanted to know about Cascio's whereabouts because he owed them a substantial sum. How The Biopic Delays Affected Jaafar Jackson The postponement of Michael's biopic reportedly placed significant pressure on his nephew, Jaafar. The Blast shared that a source claimed the young entertainer was forced to bear the brunt of the delays, noting he "put himself through hell to master his late uncle's performance style, dance moves, and general manner." "He's had to maintain that peak conditioning and extremely low body fat for more than two years, starting with the early stages of the project and continuing through to the reshoots they've been doing this spring," the insider added. They added that Jaafar was equally burdened by his lack of power and control over the movie. The source alleged the situation was "frustrating" for Jaafar because he feared the biopic's final cut might fail to embody the critical aspects of Michael's life, career, and his infamous sexual abuse allegations. The late musician's sister, Janet Jackson, also attempted to ensure the movie's success. Michael Jackson's Sister Honored Him By Pausing Biopic Talks The Blast covered Janet's touching gesture in honor of her late brother's memory, revealing she refused to launch her own biopic until his was released. A source shed light on the situation, claiming the cultural icon did not wish to steal the spotlight and allow her family to enjoy Michael's moment. The source noted Janet was "extremely curious about how it's all going to turn out," claiming she held off on making any biopic decisions until she saw the outcome of Michael's movie. They added that she wasn't worried in the long run because her story differed from her brother's. "From her unlikely breakthrough in the late eighties to her three marriages, to 'nipple gate,' Janet has had a crazy career and made music that went around the world," the source said about the singer's life. Antoine Fuqua directs Michael's biopic, which features Hollywood veterans Nia Long and Colman Domingo. Can Michael Jackson's biopic debut in April 2026, or will it suffer another postponement? Solve the daily Crossword
New York Post
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Michael Jackson pal Frank Cascio accused of shaking his estate down for $213m
A New Jersey man who once took Michael Jackson into his family home after the 9/11 terror attacks —and called the pop icon his 'second family'— is now being accused of trying to extort $213 million from Jackson's estate. Frank Cascio, 44, has apparently threatened to go public with claims against the singer which he never voiced while Jackson was alive. In a petition filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, the Michael Jackson Company and estate co-executors John Branca and John McClain allege that Frank Cascio and unidentified associates are attempting what they describe as a 'civil extortion scheme,' leveraging the threat of sensational accusations to extract massive payouts. 9 The Cascio family with Michael Jackson (top left). Family patriach Dominic Cascio is center (with beard) and his eldest sons Frank and Eddie are pictured top right. Advertisement 9 Michael Jackson with Frank Cascio when he was a young child. @VincentFAmen/X For more than three decades, Cascio – whose father had struck up a friendship with Michael while working at a hotel in New York, leading the 'Beat It' superstar to become a regular visitor to his home and to refer to the Cascios as his second family – was among Jackson's most vocal defenders. In dozens of public statements, TV interviews, and in his own 2011 book, 'My Friend Michael', Cascio praised Jackson in unequivocal terms. The star was twice accused of child abuse during his career, in 1993 and 2003, but settled the first case out of court and was acquitted in the second. Advertisement 'I want to be precise and clear, on the record, so that everyone can read and understand: Michael's love for children was innocent, and it was profoundly misunderstood,' Cascio wrote in the book. He added, 'In all the years that I was close to him, I saw nothing that raised any red flags, not as a child and not as an adult.' Cascio also declared that Jackson had been the victim of false allegations: 'He was being attacked by liars… There was nothing ambiguous about the whole thing. These people were after Michael's money. But he was innocent, and we were going to destroy them in court.' 9 Michael Jackson with Frank Cascio (2nd from right) in London. After growing up with Michael around, Cascio eventually went to work for the star as a personal assistant. PA Images via Getty Images 9 Frank Cascio in 2011 on 'Good Morning America.' Previously he has been very vocal in saying Jackson was completley innocent and never inappropriate around young people, as others have claimed. Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images Advertisement In a 2005 'ABC Primetime Live' interview, he said: 'If Michael ever laid a finger on me, I would not be in this chair right now.' When asked by Wendy Williams in 2011 if anything inappropriate ever occurred, he replied bluntly, 'Nothing at all. And that's what makes me so upset.' The Cascio family appeared on 'Oprah' in 2009 after Jackson's death to talk about their close bond with the star, how they exchanged Christmas presents and how he even recorded songs in their home studio. Cascio and his brothers insisted, 'never,' when asked if there had been any improprieties by host Oprah Winfrey. One of them explained, 'Michael was a target.' According to the petition, that narrative changed in 2019 after the release of HBO's controversial 'Leaving Neverland' documentary, which featured detailed claims of child abuse against Michael by two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck. Advertisement After that aired, Cascio and his representatives approached the estate seeking a deal to sell personal materials and consult on projects. The estate claims that discussions soon turned into threats, with demands for large sums in exchange for not going public with the allegations. 9 Jackson at the 2001 MTV Video Music Awards in New York, held less than one week for the 9/11 terror attack. REUTERS 9 Michael Jackson and Elizabeth Taylor at a 30th Anniversary Celebration held for him at Madison Square Garden in New York. CPS/LFI Estate representatives described an unusual meeting at the Sunset Marquis Hotel pool in Los Angeles, where Cascio's camp insisted participants wear only bathing suits 'so that [Jackson's] representatives could not wear a wire to record the conversation.' In January 2020, the estate allegedly agreed to a confidential settlement to protect Jackson's family from further pain. The agreement included payments over five years, strict non-disparagement terms, and a clause requiring all disputes to be handled in private arbitration. However, in July 2024, Cascio's attorney allegedly demanded an additional $213 million, threatening to 'expand the circle of knowledge' to harm the estate's business dealings. According to the lawsuit, in August his lawyer warned that if no payment was made, they would share their claims with the buyer of Jackson's valuable music catalog, the estate claims. 9 Prince Jackson (left), Paris Jackson (center) and Bigi Jackson aka Blanket Jackson (right) at a red carpet opening in 2024. Alan Chapman/9 Michael Jackson with Frank Cascio in an undated picture. YouTube Advertisement 9 Michael Jackson at a press conference announcing his 'This Is It' London residency in 2009. However he died during rehearsals fro the concert series of acute Propofol intoxication. WireImage It is not clear what klind of claims Cascio was threatening to make against Jackson or the estate. When the estate refused, lawyers delivered draft lawsuits containing accusations directly contradicting Cascio's prior statements. The estate quickly initiated arbitration in September 2024, citing breach of contract and civil extortion. Executors say they won't be intimidated into paying. 'Attempts like this to tarnish Michael's memory for financial gain will not succeed,' Branca said. Advertisement Adding another twist, Cascio switched lawyers to Mark Geragos, who had previously defended Jackson on national TV and in his 2013 book 'Mistrial,' declaring Jackson '100 percent innocent.' The estate says Geragos reduced the demand to $44 million but threatened to file a public lawsuit alleging defamation and emotional distress. The petition asks the court to compel arbitration and block any lawsuit, citing the settlement's clause: 'The question of arbitrability is itself a question to be resolved finally by the arbitrator.' Efforts to reach Cascio and his attorney for comment were unsuccessful. Jackson is currently the world's highest grossing dead celebrity, with his estate selling half of the rights to his music catalogue to Sony in 2024 for $600 million.
