Four siblings who say they were part of Michael Jackson’s so-called “secret family” have come forward with disturbing new allegations against the late pop star, claiming they were groomed, manipulated, and sexually abused over the course of decades beginning in childhood.
The Cascio siblings — Eddie, Aldo, Dominic, and Marie-Nicole — detailed the allegations during an interview aired Sunday on “60 Minutes Australia,” describing what they say was a long-running pattern of abuse hidden behind Jackson’s public image and celebrity status.
The family also filed a lawsuit in February alleging Jackson sexually abused them at locations including Neverland Ranch and the homes of celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor and Elton John.
“He’s a monster, he’s evil, what he did was evil,” Dominic Cascio said during the interview. “And he’s tricked the whole world to think he’s this innocent, perfect human being, and he’s not.”
According to the siblings, their connection to Jackson began in the 1980s after their father, Dominic Cascio Sr., met the singer while working at New York’s Helmsley Palace Hotel. The relationship quickly deepened, with the family eventually becoming part of Jackson’s inner social circle.
The siblings said Jackson frequently visited their family home, invited them to Neverland Ranch, flew them around the world on private jets, and immersed them in the lifestyle surrounding one of the most famous entertainers on Earth.
Home videos aired during the broadcast showed Jackson visiting the family alongside his pet chimpanzee, Bubbles, interacting closely with the children.
At the time, the siblings said, the attention felt exciting and special.
“My parents were young. For them to have such a big celebrity want to be friends with them … they definitely felt special, and so did we,” Eddie Cascio said. “He made us feel like we were his family, his kids, his everything.”
But the siblings now allege the lavish gifts, trips, and personal attention were part of a calculated grooming process that eventually escalated into sexual abuse.
The alleged abuse, they claim, continued over roughly 25 years and occurred during tours, vacations, and private stays with Jackson.
“When you have the biggest superstar in the world in the ’80s that wants to be your friend, you’re vulnerable and easily manipulated,” Dominic said.
Eddie alleged that the abuse began during Jackson’s 1993 Dangerous tour when he was 11 years old.
“That’s when my world started to change,” he said.
“We were on tour, and that’s when Michael started to get closer and started rubbing me on my legs. I was sitting on his lap, and that’s when the first kiss happened, where he kissed me on the lips.”
Several of the siblings also described what they called disturbing “games” Jackson allegedly involved them in, including something referred to as the “booty rumble.”
The interview also included allegations that Jackson supplied the children with alcohol and prescription drugs at extremely young ages.
The siblings claimed Jackson referred to wine as “Jesus juice” and hard liquor as “Disney juice.”
Marie-Nicole alleged Jackson gave her Xanax and Vicodin when she was 11 years old.
“He told me I’d be floating and I would love it,” she claimed.
The siblings further alleged Jackson coached them on how to respond to questioning from parents, police, or outsiders, creating an atmosphere of secrecy and fear that discouraged them from revealing what they say was happening behind closed doors.
Jackson’s estate has strongly denied the allegations.
Attorney Marty Singer, representing the estate, dismissed the claims as financially motivated and criticized the timing of the accusations.
“Notably, these shakedown attempts come more than 15 years after Jackson’s death, thus carrying no risk of being sued for defamation,” Singer said in a statement provided to “60 Minutes Australia.”
“Sadly, in death just as in life, Jackson’s talents and success continue to make him a target.”
