Jackson 5’s Jermaine Jackson Faces Sexual Assault Allegations from the 1980s
Jermaine Jackson, one of the original members of the Jackson 5 and the elder brother of Michael Jackson, has been accused of sexual assault in 1988 by a woman, as per a recent lawsuit filed in California.
The concise lawsuit, which was lodged in Los Angeles on Wednesday, contains allegations from the complainant, Rita Barrett, that Jackson attacked her in her residence over thirty years ago, after he arrived at her home without prior notice. Barrett’s assertions in the lawsuit include that she became acquainted with Jackson through her profession as a music contractor and also via Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records. She claims to have had a close relationship with Gordy through her spouse, Ben Barrett.
The lawsuit declares, “Defendant Jackson forced himself into Plaintiff’s home, and with force and violence sexually assaulted Plaintiff.” It continues, “During the assault, Plaintiff, a woman of faith prayed to God for help. During the assault, Plaintiff feared for her life. After the assault and when Defendant Jackson was satiated, he left the residence.”
The lawsuit names Jackson, along with his businesses Jermaine L. Jackson Music Productions and Work Records, as defendants. The causes of action listed are sexual assault, battery, sexual battery, and negligence. Barrett is seeking damages, the amount of which is not specified.
Jeff Anderson, Barrett’s lawyer, said that “Rita Barrett suffered an egregious and violent sexual assault.” He added, “This is about her power and the declaration of it when she learned something could be done under the law, and she found the strength and support to find us and is now standing up for herself and others.”
While Gordy is not listed as a defendant, the lawsuit alleges that he shielded Jackson due to financial considerations. Barrett claims that she informed Gordy about the incident the day after it occurred because of his connection with both her and the Jackson family. She asserts that Gordy “was uniquely situated to both report Defendant Jackson’s acts and to aid plaintiff during her time of trauma.”
The lawsuit further alleges, “Instead, Mr. Gordy withheld and concealed the acts, further perpetuating the coverup and allowing Mr. Gordy, Defendant Jackson, and others in the business relationship to continue to reap profits derived from Mr. Jackson’s work and reputation for years to come.” The lawsuit was filed under California’s AB2777, similar to New York’s recently expired Adult Survivors Act, which temporarily lifts the statute of limitations on certain civil claims related to sexual misconduct. These laws have resulted in a surge of sexual abuse lawsuits in the music and entertainment sectors, with allegations being made against actors, artists, and executives, including Vin Diesel, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Axl Rose, and L.A. Reid, among others, in lawsuits filed in recent months.