Jackson 5 Alum Forced To Pay $6.5 Million After Being Accused of Historic Heinous Crime

A Jackson 5 alum has been forced to pay over $6.5 million after he failed to respond to a lawsuit detailing alleged heinous crimes.

Jackson 5 alum Jermaine Jackson has been ordered to pay over $6.5 million in damages. This comes after he failed to respond to a lawsuit that detailed alleged historic heinous crimes.

According to People, a default judgment regarding the lawsuit was filed on Thursday, May 14. Rita Butler Barrett had originally filed the litigation in December 2023, which said that Jermaine Jackson had committed violent sexual crimes against her.

He had allegedly shown up uninvited around spring 1988, before forcing his way into her home. Barrett explained in the complaint that she knew of Jackson because of her husband, Ben Barrett. Barrett worked closely with the founder of Motown Records, Berry Gordy.

The lawsuit wanted damages for Barrett’s “severe emotional, physical, and psychological injury.” These included “humiliation, shame, guilt, economic loss, economic capacity, and permanent emotional distress.”

She also alleged that Jackson’s heinous actions were covered up in order to protect the otherwise stellar image of the Jackson 5. She said that she reported the alleged attack to Gordy, but nothing was done. The lawsuit claimed there was a “broader cover-up… [For] the purpose of profit and preservation of reputation.”

This Comes Amid the Release of the Michael Jackson Biopic, ‘Michael’

This is a pretty bad time for these allegations to be resurfacing. Especially as he refused to comment on them or respond to the lawsuit at all.

Jermaine Jackson was last seen with his son, Jaafar Jackson. They were spotted at the April 22 Los Angeles premiere of Michael, which is about the legendary Michael Jackson. In case you’re not aware, Jaafar plays the late singer.

According to Inquirer.net, Jaafar Jackson was elated over the opportunity to play his uncle. He explained, “[This] being the first time that I’ve ever got into acting and to be able to portray my Uncle Michael, it’s so surreal. I’m still taking it in and not really realizing how much it’s going to hit me or when it’s going to hit me. But, you know, it’s incredible.”

Although the biopic did pretty well, becoming the second-highest-grossing biopic of all time according to People, things may still be marred by this shocking revelation.