[Discussion] Sexual Abuse Claims Against MJ Estate - Robson/ Safechuck/ Doe

[ivy]

From Online Team

We have received a number of inquiries from the community regarding the most recent Stacy Brown story. As many of you are aware, the Estate generally prefers not to legitimatize the lies and rumors spread in the media or expand the coverage by other media of those stories. However, the Estate has asked that we share with you the following statement that was issued by Howard Weitzman, attorney for the Estate of Michael Jackson, in a response to a request for comment yesterday:

“We are aware of recent false “reports” regarding Michael Jackson having, among other things, paid over $200 million to 20 “victims.” There is not a shred of evidence to support these ludicrous “reports.” It is unfortunate that, even in death, Michael cannot be free of these types of allegations, but we are confident that the truth will prevail in the end, just as it did in 2005 when a jury fully exonerated him.”

The Estate is steadfast in its defense of Michael in courts and that will not change regardless of what lies and rumors are spread by journalists with their own agendas.

 

[Tygger]

Re: [Discussion] Wade Robson files claim of sexual abuse against MJ-Estate

As many of you are aware, the Estate generally prefers not to legitimatize the lies and rumors spread in the media or expand the coverage by other media of those stories.

The Estate is steadfast in its defense of Michael in courts and that will not change regardless of what lies and rumors are spread by journalists with their own agendas.

The MJ Estate often releases statements quickly to defend itself.

I am 100% positive now that they made the UK PCC complaint only to thwart and control the complaints made by others which is indeed unfortunate. While I understand the Estate will only defend Michael in courts where Estate lawyers receive payment, I find it unfortunate that fans' attempts to defend Michael have to be thwarted and controlled.

 

[Justthefacts]

Re: [Discussion] Wade Robson files claim of sexual abuse against MJ-Estate

Who's the enemy here?

 

[barbee0715]

Re: [Discussion] Wade Robson files claim of sexual abuse against MJ-Estate

during an totally unrelated event few years ago where one/few tabloids had a negative story, I had asked the Online Team why they weren't releasing an official statement. They told me if they release a statement it would get published with a reference to the original negative story and they did not want to contribute to spreading of the original negative story by adding to it.

I think this is their logic in other situations as well. they might be preferring to stay it as a tabloid story, rather than responding to it and putting it on the radar of mainstream media.

Reading this, I can visualize Michael saying many times-and I think the first time I heard him talk about this, he couldn't have been more than 21, that he wasn't going to address rumours, because that only brought attention to it. He wouldn't lower himself to that-give it any type of importance. I'm that kind of person myself. Personally, it's not worth the argument when someone does something to me.

Of course, there is a time to fight-and I'm surprised that the Estate doesn't have a PR person already on staff. Somebody that could handle this kind of stuff (merely saying this rumour was debunked in 1994, it was debunked again in 2005, it was debunked again in 2013, and here we go again-they really don't have to say more than that-point people to the news sources that debunked it) and also do things like get these music bios cleaned up (Allmusic, Tidal, Spotify) as well as Wikipedia. Heck, if I were the PR person, I would probably be cleaning out comments on YouTube too. Maybe the music bios are more Sony's job-not sure.

 

[ivy]

Re: [Discussion] Wade Robson files claim of sexual abuse against MJ-Estate

^^
They had a PR firm hired, I don't know if that firm still works for them. Regardless most statements tend to come from Weitzman.

 

[barbee0715]

Re: [Discussion] Wade Robson files claim of sexual abuse against MJ-Estate

^^
They had a PR firm hired, I don't know if that firm still works for them. Regardless most statements tend to come from Weitzman.

That's good to hear. I was a little surprised reading some of the previous posts, that an Estate of this size and especially an artist with a legacy to protect wouldn't have one.

 

[Tygger]

Barbee0715, I read the article you posted regarding Michael’s will/trust in the past. The article takes a surface view: Michael had documents that included the basics; therefore, it must be good. Many estate planners have said the documents are too basic and Michael would have fared better with more detail documents. Suffice to say a highly-skilled estate planner could protect Michael’s leveraged assets using other strategies besides an irrevocable trust. We are seeing the effects of those basic documents here with Robson/Safechuck's claims.

Any PR staff is most likely there to publicize Estate collaborations such as Estate/Cirque. The PR staff would not exert efforts on defending Michael’s memory.

When Michael’s Vevo channel was receiving quite a number of rude comments on the Xscape video pages, I suggested on this forum that the roles and responsibilities of the Online team should be expanded to monitor such comments. Sony owns the Vevo channels of their artists and had comments blocked under Cirque tribute videos to Michael at that time but, did not block or monitor comments under Michael’s short films.

I believe a staff writer completes the biographies on streaming sites. I do not believe the owner of those sites read the biographies; they trust the staff writer. Those owners would not know the biographies are rude unless fans of those artist complain.

 

[SarahJ]

Re: [Discussion] Wade Robson files claim of sexual abuse against MJ-Estate

Looks like the PR firm hired was Sitrick and Company which has since been bought out and is a subsidiary of Resource Connection Inc. Not sure if they still handle the Estate now but if you do a search for Michael's name on their site you'll find they did.
It appears that yes they handle media inquiries, business communications etc...Don't think they handle his public image etc...At least from what I've been able to see online.

 

[ivy]

Suffice to say a highly-skilled estate planner could protect Michael’s leveraged assets using other strategies besides an irrevocable trust. We are seeing the effects of those basic documents here with Robson/Safechuck's claims.

why do you think this is just about the assets? even if all the assets were someway untouchable, Estate is still bringing in hundreds of millions in gross profits from new projects. That income alone would be sufficient for a shakedown attempt.

Looks like the PR firm hired was Sitrick and Company

yes it was. they would respond to requests for comments. now every response / statement seems to come from Weitzman.

 

[Tygger]

Re: [Discussion] Wade Robson files claim of sexual abuse against MJ-Estate

why do you think this is just about the assets? even if all the assets were someway untouchable, Estate is still bringing in hundreds of millions in gross profits from new projects. That income alone would be sufficient for a shakedown attempt.

???

That income is used to reduce debt, pay expenses, place in a trust, and purchase other assets. Robson/Safechuck want the value of those assets, not the income generated from Cirque, etc. Robson/Safechuck do not have access to Estate income.

Adding: I do NOT believe this will and/or should go to trial. If under some horrific, nightmarish event these two were to be successful in fleecing the estate, they would be a liability against the assets.

 

[HIStory]

Re: [Discussion] Wade Robson files claim of sexual abuse against MJ-Estate

Possibly I am too much in conspiracy mode, but I have been thinking about the events of these past days. All the media frenzy around this freaking Stacy Brown lie and now the case was delayed. We know it would have been a summary judgement hearing that the Estate requested. Robson's team filed papers at the end of March in opposition of the Estate's summary judgement request. What if this whole Stacy Brown circus was needed for them to have a reason to be able to get the summary judgement delayed? What I mean is that they can tell the Judge now that they need more time "to look into these new allegations". Or maybe they are even hopeful there is really something in it. Of course, it's nothing but hot air, just like the 2013 FBI files thing that they were so hopeful about, but they are grasping at straws. Alternatively, they may know that this is nothing but hot air, but they needed some excuse to get the case delayed. And of course the bad publicity as usual, to try to pressure the Estate into a settlement.

We will eventually learn what the delay is about and then maybe this whole theory goes out the window, but I feel the timing of this media frenzy was just too convenient for them and then the case suddenly got delayed. I guess I'm just looking for a possible connection.

 

[MattyJam]

Re: [Discussion] Wade Robson files claim of sexual abuse against MJ-Estate

I feel the timing of this media frenzy was just too convenient for them and then the case suddenly got delayed. I guess I'm just looking for a possible connection.

I agree, there's almost definitely got to be some connection between the two.

 

[Albion]

Re: [Discussion] Wade Robson files claim of sexual abuse against MJ-Estate

I personally feel the Estates response to the recent news stories has been poor. I find that the general public take most of what they read as fact. Especially if they can say it's in all the newspapers. Yes these people are stupid for doing this but it still hurts Michaels reputation. For the masses it just reads "he paid off that family in the 90s, somehow got found not guilty in 2005 (but he must of done it coz he paid of that family in the 90s), look now two other kids have come forwards, ah see he paid millions to 20 kids, that proves it" and now if the case gets thrown out "he got away with it again, it only got thrown out over s technicality, what about those other 20 kids he paid off!" It's all BS but this is how lies grow into "truth". Nobody in the media is asking about proof, the only care about sales. IMO the Estate should go on the offensive about this latest none story. Court the media if they have to but get the message out there. There have been some very well informed posts on this thread which give strong and logical arguments why the recent claims are false. These must get into the mainstream. I find it frustrating that many of you posting here are not given a louder voice in the outside world. I would like to say thank you to all those who have spent their time sifting through the lies to find the truth and sharing it with the rest of us.

 

[HIStory]

Re: [Discussion] Wade Robson files claim of sexual abuse against MJ-Estate

I don't quite agree with the notion that only what happens in court matters. Of course that matters a lot, but not only that. Most people do not follow court cases in such detail as we do here, so if the media manages to distort what happens in the courtroom not even a not guilty/not liable verdict matters in terms of what the vast majority of people think. See this particular episode! Stacy Brown manages to get a story circulated as fact that is not even consistent with what the accusers allege in their court documents but no one questions it because people simply do not know what is in those court documents (including the journalists who uncritically rehash the story). It should be hammered home by the Estate's PR and the Estate should DEMAND all media which published this story to publish their statement about it as well! It's also a claim that is pretty easy to disprove, so I don't know why they are not more aggressive on the PR department. I know that Weitzman and Branca have probably other tasks but that's why they should hire a competent PR department/expert who could professionally deal with such issues.

Since Michael is a public figure public opinion IS important. It also affects his marketability.

 

[Bubs]

^?The estate can only react fully to these allegations if the cases go ahead to full trial. In my view they haven't a hope in hell of going ahead because they're clearly in breach of the time limits. In these hearings the estate lawyers and the judge have to treat everything that wade/jimmy allege (ie the abuse) as true (but not deductions and conclusions). So we're not going to get a rebuttal of abuse allegations in court. The arguments are going to be along the lines of exactly when the 2 men claim they realised they were abused, when they filed, if the companies could have controlled mj's behaviour, did the abuse arise out of employment with mj prods, did the company employees know about the abuse blah blah. For sure the judge will hopefully make comments about all the contradictions and nonsense in the claims of not realising you've been abused and be scathing of wade's perjury issues and hopefully the estate will draw major attention about there being no secret settlements they were asked about in discovery. But why weitzman would suggest we'd get 'the truth' and vindication of mj like in 05 i've really no idea. I guarantee the spin from the media will be that the cases are thrown out on a timelimit technicality, not to do with the fact that they offer a barely coherent bizarre narrative. It's what happens after the cases are dismissed which makes me nervous.

They are free to speak about the case when it gets thrown out of court.
Do you really think even if it went on trial, and Wade/Safejunk loses the case, then MJ would be portrayed as innocent in the media? Not until hell freezes over and it rarely happens, if ever.

Either way, MJ is going to get short end of the stick. If it goes on trial, and wins, MJ is portrayed unfairly. If the case gets thrown out, MJ is portrayed unfairly and they say he got out because time limits. Either way, MJ loses in media.

From Online Team

We have received a number of inquiries from the community regarding the most recent Stacy Brown story. As many of you are aware, the Estate generally prefers not to legitimatize the lies and rumors spread in the media or expand the coverage by other media of those stories. However, the Estate has asked that we share with you the following statement that was issued by Howard Weitzman, attorney for the Estate of Michael Jackson, in a response to a request for comment yesterday:

“We are aware of recent false “reports” regarding Michael Jackson having, among other things, paid over $200 million to 20 “victims.” There is not a shred of evidence to support these ludicrous “reports.” It is unfortunate that, even in death, Michael cannot be free of these types of allegations, but we are confident that the truth will prevail in the end, just as it did in 2005 when a jury fully exonerated him.”

The Estate is steadfast in its defense of Michael in courts and that will not change regardless of what lies and rumors are spread by journalists with their own agendas.

If the recent article had come out from someone more reputable source than SB, I would have wanted them to reply, but as it came from SB, I would have hated him to get cocky because he felt his article hit target.
There is absolutely no need to reply on SB puke fest and give him credibility that way.

Btw, I did Google search on MJ, and there are 56 articles regarding this SB s..t, to compare 53 articles of MJ's alligators, and 183 Russell C prank article. To me it doesn't look that this allegation story is flying across media.

 

[InvincibleMJ]

Re: [Discussion] Wade Robson files claim of sexual abuse against MJ-Estate

Possibly I am too much in conspiracy mode, but I have been thinking about the events of these past days. All the media frenzy around this freaking Stacy Brown lie and now the case was delayed. We know it would have been a summary judgement hearing that the Estate requested. Robson's team filed papers at the end of March in opposition of the Estate's summary judgement request. What if this whole Stacy Brown circus was needed for them to have a reason to be able to get the summary judgement delayed? What I mean is that they can tell the Judge now that they need more time "to look into these new allegations". Or maybe they are even hopeful there is really something in it. Of course, it's nothing but hot air, just like the 2013 FBI files thing that they were so hopeful about, but they are grasping at straws. Alternatively, they may know that this is nothing but hot air, but they needed some excuse to get the case delayed. And of course the bad publicity as usual, to try to pressure the Estate into a settlement.

We will eventually learn what the delay is about and then maybe this whole theory goes out the window, but I feel the timing of this media frenzy was just too convenient for them and then the case suddenly got delayed. I guess I'm just looking for a possible connection.

I think they sent Stacy Brown. That's what they do, they find the people who support them and bring them even closer to them, like Sneddon and Zonen did with Diane Dimond - And Stacy Brown. I think they (Wade, James) know there is no hush money but it helps their lawyers earn some time and possibley find some people who would help them with the case. Like you said I think they're grasping for straws too, and it doesn't look good for them. Which may look good for us.

 

[aldebran]

Re: [Discussion] Wade Robson files claim of sexual abuse against MJ-Estate

Frankly I don't understand what the Estate is thinking.

Don't they realize the damage this BS does to MJ's reputation?

Don't they realize their earning capacity is dependent on that very thing?
Nothing is more important than to fight this notion that MJ was a child molester.

Weitzman shouldn't even be on this case! That idiot didn't even stand up for MJ in 2005 when he was interviewed on Fox.
He said I choose to believe that he is not guilty.
What kind of BS is that? Especially since he was one of the lawyers who signed the settlement.

 

[InvincibleMJ]

Re: [Discussion] Wade Robson files claim of sexual abuse against MJ-Estate

Frankly I don't understand what the Estate is thinking.

Don't they realize the damage this BS does to MJ's reputation?

Don't they realize their earning capacity is dependent on that very thing?
Nothing is more important than to fight this notion that MJ was a child molester.

Weitzman shouldn't even be on this case! That idiot didn't even stand up for MJ in 2005 when he was interviewed on Fox.
He said I choose to believe that he is not guilty.
What kind of BS is that? Especially since he was one of the lawyers who signed the settlement.

Oh Please.

 

[Justthefacts]

Re: [Discussion] Wade Robson files claim of sexual abuse against MJ-Estate

Can we not turn this thread into a anti estate thread?

 

[InvincibleMJ]

Re: [Discussion] Wade Robson files claim of sexual abuse against MJ-Estate

Can we not turn this thread into a anti estate thread?

Some people are lurking here just for this.

 

[aldebran]

Re: [Discussion] Wade Robson files claim of sexual abuse against MJ-Estate

Some people are lurking here just for this.

You think they are doing enough?
How so?

 

[InvincibleMJ]

Re: [Discussion] Wade Robson files claim of sexual abuse against MJ-Estate

^ I didn't make any claim so I don't think the burden of proof is on me this time, aldebran. The lawsuit is still going, the enemies are Wade and James, so don't drag us into that nonsense again.

 

[aldebran]

Re: [Discussion] Wade Robson files claim of sexual abuse against MJ-Estate

^ I didn't make any claim so I don't think the burden of proof is on me this time, aldebran. The lawsuit is still going, the enemies are Wade and James, so don't drag us into that nonsense again.

It's true that Robson and Safechuck are the enemies (along with the full Anglo-American media) but
it should be the Estate more than anything else to fight against those enemies and not just in court.
2005 clearly showed that what happened inside the courtroom matters little to the gullible public.

 

[Bubs]

Re: [Discussion] Wade Robson files claim of sexual abuse against MJ-Estate

^^Maybe we fans should do something too, like stop clicking those articles, and spreading them all over the internet, and definitely stop reading the comments under the articles. By reading them it just look like the whole world hates MJ, but that is far from the truth. SB writes this kind of nonsense every month, this is not different from other garbage he comes up with.

A year ago there was another article posted in Mirror that caused more fuss than SB bs
http://www.mjjcommunity.com/forum/t...kson-Slandered-By-The-Mirror-New-assult-Pg-38

That didn't ruin MJ reputation either.

Fyi regarding Weitzman, you do know Cochran was lead attorney in 93 case?
Next Cochran used his clout to arrange for the city's black clergy to hold a press conference, condemning what they called the D.A.'s persecution of Jackson. At the same time, he was negotiating with Larry Feldman, the 13-year-old boy's attorney, a courthouse colleague. In the end, he and Feldman hammered out a settlement in which the boy received an undisclosed sum and Jackson did not admit any guilt. "It was the only way to get the case off the front pages," says Cochran. "I wanted Michael to be able to go on with his career."
http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20108331,00.html

 

[jaydom7]

Re: [Discussion] Wade Robson files claim of sexual abuse against MJ-Estate

I think they sent Stacy Brown. That's what they do, they find the people who support them and bring them even closer to them, like Sneddon and Zonen did with Diane Dimond - And Stacy Brown. I think they (Wade, James) know there is no hush money but it helps their lawyers earn some time and possibley find some people who would help them with the case. Like you said I think they're grasping for straws too, and it doesn't look good for them. Which may look good for us.

Of course they sent Stacy Brown.. Same story from 2013.. but with different figures.. Two years later same fake FBI files story.. Hopefully one day soon Stacy Brown will get what's coming to him.. He's been doing this stuff for the past 12 years. There is absolutely no proof or evidence to support those claims..

 

[SarahJ]

Re: [Discussion] Wade Robson files claim of sexual abuse against MJ-Estate

How hypocritical of them publishing SB's latest bit of fiction, while at the same time decrying Rolling Stone for their unethical journalism. Not sure how many papers that are printing this are co-owned by the same corporation, but i wouldn't be surprised if a lot of them are.
Looked at Google news and it's up to 71 articles at this point, (not the mainstream at this point) not to mention those who are posting it on social media. So much for journalistic integrity. They only cry that when it suits them.

 

[krikzil]

Re: [Discussion] Wade Robson files claim of sexual abuse against MJ-Estate

why do you think this is just about the assets? even if all the assets were someway untouchable, Estate is still bringing in hundreds of millions in gross profits from new projects. That income alone would be sufficient for a shakedown attempt.

Yes, plenty of money to attract folks of their ilk. They want $$ from the Estate. Point. Blank. Period.

 

[krikzil]

Re: [Discussion] Wade Robson files claim of sexual abuse against MJ-Estate

If the recent article had come out from someone more reputable source than SB, I would have wanted them to reply, but as it came from SB, I would have hated him to get cocky because he felt his article hit target.
There is absolutely no need to reply on SB puke fest and give him credibility that way.

Btw, I did Google search on MJ, and there are 56 articles regarding this SB s..t, to compare 53 articles of MJ's alligators, and 183 Russell C prank article. To me it doesn't look that this allegation story is flying across media.

I agree. Tabloids and tabloid writers do what they do and that's not going to stop. Engaging them is what they want to gin up more interest in their crap.

 

[sharon007]

Re: [Discussion] Wade Robson files claim of sexual abuse against MJ-Estate

Im surprised the estate didnt do anything about the case before it got to this stage.

 

[terrell]

Re: [Discussion] Wade Robson files claim of sexual abuse against MJ-Estate

I personally feel the Estates response to the recent news stories has been poor. I find that the general public take most of what they read as fact. Especially if they can say it's in all the newspapers. Yes these people are stupid for doing this but it still hurts Michaels reputation. For the masses it just reads "he paid off that family in the 90s, somehow got found not guilty in 2005 (but he must of done it coz he paid of that family in the 90s), look now two other kids have come forwards, ah see he paid millions to 20 kids, that proves it" and now if the case gets thrown out "he got away with it again, it only got thrown out over s technicality, what about those other 20 kids he paid off!" It's all BS but this is how lies grow into "truth". Nobody in the media is asking about proof, the only care about sales. IMO the Estate should go on the offensive about this latest none story. Court the media if they have to but get the message out there. There have been some very well informed posts on this thread which give strong and logical arguments why the recent claims are false. These must get into the mainstream. I find it frustrating that many of you posting here are not given a louder voice in the outside world. I would like to say thank you to all those who have spent their time sifting through the lies to find the truth and sharing it with the rest of us.

I do not think most of the "outside" do not care. Like we said, this stuff on mostly tabloid sites. I do not think the OVERALL pubic is buying any of this nonsense no more, ONLY haters are going eat a story like this. After all the stuff that has bee said about MJ before his death and even AFTER his death Michael is still LOVED and celebrated. Did you know there is a school in Jacksonville,FL that has a large picture of MJ on the middle school building? See, we as fans and people who visit sites take these reports to heart; however, I am aware that most folks either love MJ or do not and the folks who love MJ is going to still love him no matter what lies are told. Look even at this report, it is from the same folks. SB