Michael Jackson: Choreographer testified he hadn’t been molested
An Australian choreographer who is now apparently claiming he was molested by Michael Jackson as a child previously testified under oath that the pop star never touched him.
Attorneys for Wade Robson, who knew Jackson and stayed at the singer’s Neverland Ranch as a teenager, have asked a Los Angeles judge to allow him to make a late claim as creditor in Jackson’s estate.
Most of the specifics are under seal, but the documents filed May 1 and publicly available state Robson’s claim to money comes from “childhood sexual abuse.†The documents cite sealed evidence from a mental health practitioner.
PHOTOS: Michael Jackson | 1958-2009
Robson testified in Jackson’s 2005 molestation trial, in which he said that while he stayed at the Neverland Ranch numerous times and slept in the singer’s bed, he was never molested.
“Absolutely not,†he said.
A housekeeper had testified she saw Jackson showering with a boy she believed to be Robson, who as an adult went on to choreograph for Britney Spears. Robson denied showering with Jackson and said he and the singer played together like children.
As for allegations Jackson molested him, Robson said, “I think it’s ridiculous.â€
When Robson took the witness stand for Jackson’s defense, the singer gave him the thumbs up. Jackson was ultimately found not guilty of multiple counts of abusing a 13-year-old cancer survivor.
The singer’s criminal defense attorney told CNN this week the new allegations were “absurd.â€
“He was one of the strongest witnesses for the defense at Michael Jackson’s criminal trial in 2005,†Tom Mesereau said of Robson. “He was adamant under oath that he had never been molested at any time.â€
Jackson died four years ago at age 50, becoming the the only person in Los Angeles County not in the medical field to die of propofol intoxication in their home in the last 14 years.
Since his death, his estate’s net worth has soared as allegations of molestation have faded.
Jackson’s mother and three children have sued “This Is It†concert promoter AEG, saying the entertainment giant negligently hired and supervised Dr. Conrad Murray, who gave the singer the fatal dose of propofol. That trial is ongoing.
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