Michael’s new allegations

On Wednesday, July 20, a hearing was held in New Orleans in the presence of Michael and his lawyers to formally announce new allegations made against him by a 39-year-old man. But neither Michael nor his lawyers attended the hearing.

Louisiana court judge Eldon Fallon scheduled the next court session for August 17 this year and warned Michael that if he did not want to be judged without a trial regarding his allegations, he should appear in court.

Joseph Thomas Bartocci claimed that in 1984, when he was 18, he was sexually abused by Michael, who was 25, inside his limousine car. He also claims that Michael had kept him imprisoned. Bartocci is now seeking damages from Michael.

Michael Jackson has not appeared in public since June 13 of this year, when he was acquitted in Santa Maria of all charges of sexual abuse of a 13-year-old boy.

On Wednesday, Brian Oxman, the Jackson family’s attorney, told Associated Press that he was unaware of the reason Michael did not attend the hearing on the allegations.

He said about these allegations: “Michael has always faced similar complaints. And all of them have ended with his acquittal, or the case has been discredited on its own.” He added: “This is part of the magic and expense of being Michael Jackson.”

Source: E! Online / AP / Reuters