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Jermaine Jackson, Michael Jackson’s brother, is facing sexual assault allegations.
In a lawsuit filed on Thursday (December 28), plaintiff Rita Butler Barrett accused Jackson of raping her in 1988.
“Plaintiff is a survivor of sexual abuse, sexual battery, sexual assault, harassment and rape at the hands of Jermaine Jackson (‘Defendant Jackson’) in or around the Spring of 1988,” documents obtained by Fox News state.
According to the documents, Barrett knew Jackson through “personal/familial connections including, but not limited to through Berry Gordy of Motown.” Her husband, Ben Barrett, also had a personal and professional relationship with Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, who was working with Jackson at the time of the alleged assault.
In the suit, Barrett claimed she reported the alleged assault to Gordy but he "withheld and concealed the acts, further perpetuating the cover-up” to protect Jackson’s reputation.
The alleged assault stems from an incident in the spring of 1988 where "defendant Jackson forced himself into Plaintiff’s home, and with force and violence sexually assaulted Plaintiff,” the documents state.
Barrett alleged that she "prayed to God for help" during the alleged assault.
One day later, Barrett claimed she reported the assault to Gordy.
“Because of his relationships with both Defendant Jackson and Plaintiff’s family, Mr. Gordy was uniquely situated to both report Defendant Jackson’s acts and to aid Plaintiff during her time of trauma,” the suit states. “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.”
“Upon information and belief, soon after the assault of Plaintiff, Motown was sold for great profit," the documents add.
According to the suit, "as a result of the assault, cover-up, and ratification Defendant Jackson and his reputation remained intact, while Plaintiff was forced to suffer in silence and shame for decades."
Jermaine L. Jackson Music Productions, Inc. and his Work Records, Inc. are also named in the lawsuit.
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