Jermaine Jackson, a founding member of the Jackson 5 and sibling to Michael Jackson, is facing accusations of sexual assault and battery in a recently filed lawsuit, as reported by Pitchfork. Rita Barrett, the plaintiff, lodged the lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court, claiming that Jackson assaulted her in 1988. The legal action also names Jackson’s companies, Jermaine L. Jackson Music Productions and Work Records, as defendants.
According to the filing, Barrett had a professional connection with Jackson through her work as a musician’s contractor and her husband’s association with Motown Records founder Berry Gordy. The lawsuit alleges that in the spring of 1988, Jackson appeared unannounced at Barrett’s residence, forcibly entered, and sexually assaulted her.
The legal document also contends that Barrett disclosed the incident to Gordy the day after the assault. However, instead of reporting Jackson’s actions, the suit claims that Gordy withheld and concealed the information, contributing to a cover-up that allowed Jackson, Gordy, and others in the business relationship to profit from Jackson’s work and reputation for years. The lawsuit seeks damages for sexual battery, battery, sexual assault, and negligence.
Pitchfork has sought comments from attorneys representing Barrett and Jackson, as well as Jackson’s representatives. Barrett’s lawsuit was filed under California’s Sexual Abuse and Cover-Up Accountability Act, which temporarily waives the statute of limitations for certain civil claims related to sexual misconduct.
