From the archives: Michael Jackson settles suit for reported $20 million

This story was originally published in Newsday on January 26, 1994

Pop superstar Michael Jackson agreed yesterday to pay a reported $ 20 million to settle a lawsuit brought by a 14-year-old boy who said the entertainer sexually molested him.

Lawyers for Jackson and the teenager announced the settlement in a joint news conference, though they refused to disclose the terms. Sources close to the negotiations said Jackson had agreed to pay $ 20 million.

Jackson's attorney, Johnnie Cochran, said the settlement "is in no way an admission of guilt by Michael Jackson."

But prosecutors in Los Angeles said the settlement of the civil case would not thwart their criminal investigation into allegations that the entertainer molested boys.

At a press conference outside the Santa Monica courthouse, Larry Feldman, the boy's attorney, said his client had agreed to drop the suit.

"Michael Jackson maintains his innocence and he withdraws previous allegations of extortion," Feldman said. "The civil suit will be dismissed in the near future to allow the parties to get on with their lives . . . to allow the parties to close this chapter of their lives with dignity."

Jackson's attorney added, reading from a prepared statement: "In short, he is an innocent man who doesn't intend to have his life and career destroyed by rumors and innuendos."

Los Angeles County District Attorney Gil Garcetti said his agency would continue its investigation.

"The criminal investigation of singer Michael Jackson is ongoing and will not be affected by the announcement of his civil case settlement," Garcetti said.

The District Attorney's Office is taking Mr. Feldman at his word that the alleged victim will be allowed to testify and that there has been no agreement in the civil matter that will affect cooperation in the criminal investigation."

Under California law, the settlement agreement cannot keep the boy from testifying in a criminal case, but legal experts said it was unlikely he would.

"The settlement probably precludes a criminal indictment stemming from the allegations of this boy, because the boy does not have to cooperate with the prosecution, has no reason at this juncture to cooperate and cannot be compelled by the prosecution to cooperate," said Peter Arenella, professor of law at the University of California Los Angeles.

A recently enacted California law prevents victims of sexual abuse from being forced to testify, he said.

Prosecutors in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara have been investigating the singer since August, but no charges have been filed. The Santa Barbara District Attorney's Office could not be reached for comment.

A hearing in the civil case was to begin yesterday, and Jackson was scheduled to give a deposition later this month.

Calling the agreement "a form of damage control," Arenella said a public trial would have subjected Jackson to further public scrutiny. Moreover, he said, "There was no necessary guarantee that a trial would have led to a guilty verdict for the plaintiff."

"Given the incredible amount of damage that has already been done to his reputation, resolution of this suit . . . has to be seen as a positive," Arenella said.

He dismissed the notion that yesterday's settlement would open the doors to other civil claims.

"Mr. Jackson always has been and always will be a target of lawsuits," he said. "This settlement won't change that fact of life."

The lawsuit filed in September accused Jackson, 35, of sexual battery, seduction, willful misconduct, intentional infliction of emotional distress, fraud and negligence.

Based on the boy's allegations, authorities began a criminal probe that has continued for five months. No charges have been filed.

Jackson and his lawyers have denied the molestation allegations, saying they were the result of a failed $ 20 million extortion attempt by the boy's father.

But on Monday, prosecutors announced a criminal investigation into the extortion claims was complete and no charges would be filed.

Somini Sengupta contributed to this story.

Case Chronology

Events in the Michael Jackson sex-abuse case:

July, 1993: A 13-year-old boy allegedly tells his therapist that Jackson sexually abused him. The therapist reports the boy's story to the Los Angeles County Department of Children's Services.

Aug. 17: Los Angeles police say Jackson is the target of a criminal investigation but give no details. A private detective Jackson hired says the entertainer was the victim of an extortion attempt.

Aug. 24: Jackson opens his "Dangerous" world tour in Bangkok; the news breaks that it is the child sex crimes unit that is investigating Jackson.

Aug. 25: Jackson postpones second Bangkok concert, complaining of dehydration.

Aug. 29: Jackson continues his "Dangerous" tour in Singapore and his friend Elizabeth Taylor flies to his side.

Aug. 30: Jackson's mother and family members defend him.

Sept. 14: Boy files civil suit against Jackson accusing him of sexual battery, negligence and fraud.

Nov. 12: After being dogged by the sex-abuse allegations and missing several concerts on his tour in the Philippines and South America due to a host of illnesses, Jackson abruptly cancels the "Dangerous" tour in Mexico City, saying he has become addicted to painkillers and would fly to Europe to seek treatment.

Nov. 14: PepsiCo announces it ended its multimillion-dollar, nine-year sponsorship of Jackson when Jackson canceled his tour.

Nov. 23: Jackson is sued by five former security guards, who allege they were fired for knowing too much about the singer's "nighttime visits" with young boys. Jackson's camp continues to deny the allegations of sex abuse.

Dec. 8: LaToya Jackson, the pop superstar's sister, accuses her brother of "crimes against small innocent children," saying she could no longer remain a "silent collaborator." Other members of Jackson's family rally to his defense and brand LaToya a profiteering liar.

Dec. 10: Jackson returns to his Neverland ranch in Southern California. Dec. 22: Jackson appears on the Cable News Network to give an emotional statement proclaiming his innocence and asking his fans and the public not to judge him. He calls the charges "disgusting" and "totally false" and says he was humiliated by police who photographed his genitals as part of their investigation.

Jan. 5, 1994: Jackson emerges from seclusion to present award at NAACP banquet, receiving thunderous applause and saying, "Not only am I presumed to be innocent, I am innocent."

Jan. 24: Lawyers for Jackson and the boy who accused him of sexual molestation were reported close to reaching a deal that would require the singer to pay a settlement of more than $ 10 million.

Jan. 25: Lawyers for the boy and Jackson say the entertainer has agreed to a settlement in return for dropping civil charges. The boy's lawyer refuses to say how much money Jackson will pay the boy under the settlement's terms.

SOURCE: Combined news services