The King of Pop has posthumously made headlines yet again, although his finances are not in the limelight this time. Five years after the death of the world-famous yet controversial entertainer, Michael Jackson once again faces charges of alleged sexual abuse.
Just a few days after it was announced that the Neverland Ranch was up for sale, two counts of sexual abuse were filed by James Safechuck and Wade Robson. Safechuck, 36, alleges that Jackson abused him sometime after the two met during a Pepsi commerical in 1988 when Safechuck was ten. Australian choreographer Wade Robson also alleges that he experienced abuse from the pop star on several occasions between 1990 and 1997 when Robson was between seven and fourteen years old. Both Safechuck and Robson have given sworn testimonies to the contrary, with Robson himself testifying for the defense during Jackson’s 2005 trial. The Jackson Estate has asked for both claims to be dismissed, although hearings on the Safechuck accusations are set to begin on September 4.
These recent accusations are the third time that Michael Jackson has faced public accusations of sexual misconduct. He was acquitted of sexual assault charges in 2005 and also paid out a large settlement out of court when he faced similar charges in the mid-90’s. Jackson himself died tragically in 2009 after suffering cardiac arrest at the age of fifty.