by Rafael Pena
December 30, 2023
The lawsuit claims Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records, helped Jackson cover up the alleged assault.
Jermaine Jackson, former member of the Jackson 5 and brother of the late Michael Jackson, is facing serious accusations of sexual assault in a lawsuit filed by Rita Butler Barrett on Dec. 28. The lawsuit alleges that Jackson sexually abused Barrett during the spring of 1988. Barrett, described as a survivor of sexual abuse, assault, and harassment, filed the lawsuit under California’s Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act, which allows survivors to pursue legal action after the statute of limitations has expired.
According to documents obtained by Fox News Digital, the alleged assault occurred when “Defendant Jackson forced himself into Plaintiff’s home, and with force and violence sexually assaulted Plaintiff.”
Barrett, who knew Jermaine Jackson through personal and familial connections, including ties to Berry Gordy of Motown, claimed to have reported the assault to Gordy a day later. The lawsuit alleges that Gordy, the founder of Motown Records and a family friend, concealed the acts and perpetuated a cover-up to protect Jackson’s reputation. The suit stated, “Instead, Mr. Gordy withheld and concealed the acts, further perpetuating the cover-up 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.”
As part of the legal action, Jermaine L. Jackson Music Productions, Inc. and his Work Records, Inc. were also named in the lawsuit. The lawsuit claims that, as a result of the assault, cover-up, and ratification, Jackson’s reputation remained intact, while Barrett endured years of suffering in silence and shame.
The representatives for Jackson, Gordy, and Barrett did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The California’s Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act is similar to the New York Adult Survivor’s Act, and allows survivors to seek legal recourse against entities after the expiration of the statute of limitations. The California act, CA-AB2777, is set to expire on Dec. 31, 2023.
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