Michael Jackson estate sues HBO over documentary

481

LOS ANGELES, Feb 22, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Michael Jackson’s estate filed a $100
million lawsuit against HBO on Thursday over plans to air a documentary that
alleges the singer sexually abused two young boys.

The 53-page suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, claims HBO was
violating a “non-disparagement” agreement by airing “Leaving Neverland,”
which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this year.

“Michael Jackson is innocent. Period,” the suit says. “In 2005, Michael
Jackson was subjected to a trial — where rules of evidence and law were
applied before a neutral judge and jury and where both sides were heard —
and he was exonerated by a sophisticated jury.

“Ten years after his passing, there are still those out to profit from his
enormous worldwide success and take advantage of his eccentricities,” it
adds.

The four-hour, two-part documentary that is set to air next month includes
the testimonies of two men, Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who say the King
of Pop sexually abused them when they were seven and 10.

In a statement, HBO said it planned to broadcast the documentary as
scheduled.

“Despite the desperate lengths taken to undermine the film, our plans
remain unchanged,” the statement sent to AFP reads. “HBO will move forward
with the airing of ‘Leaving Neverland,’ the two-part documentary on March 3rd
and 4th.

“This will allow everyone the opportunity to assess the film and the claims
in it for themselves.”

The lawsuit contends that HBO in 1992 aired a concert in Bucharest from
Jackson’s “Dangerous” world tour and at the time signed non-disparagement
provisions that prevent the streaming service from harming Jackson’s
reputation.

“In violation of both basic norms of documentary journalism and the
explicit terms of the agreement, HBO has disparaged Jackson’s legacy by
airing a one-sided hit piece against Jackson based exclusively on the false
accounts of two proven, serial perjurers,” the suit states.

It asks the court to compel HBO to take part in a non-confidential
arbitration that could cost the company $100 million if found liable.

Jackson, who died on June 25, 2009 after being given an overdose of the
anesthetic propofol, faced multiple allegations of child sex abuse during his
lifetime.

In addition to his 2005 acquittal the performer paid a $15 million court
settlement in 1994 over allegations involving another child.