Jermaine Jackson accused of 1988 sexual assault in new lawsuit
Founding member of the Jackson 5 and Michael Jackson’s older brother, Jermaine Jackson, has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in 1988, according to a new lawsuit obtained by Rolling Stone.
In a report by Rolling Stone on Friday, the suit, filed in Los Angeles on Wednesday, revealed that the plaintiff Rita Barrett alleges that Jackson assaulted her in her home over three decades ago after showing up to her house unannounced.
“Barrett claims in the suit that she met Jackson through her work as a music contractor, as well as through Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, alleging that she maintained close ties with Gordy through her husband, Ben Barrett,” the report read.
“Defendant Jackson forced himself into Plaintiff’s home, and with force and violence sexually assaulted Plaintiff,” Rolling Stone said, quoting the suit. “During the assault, Plaintiff, a woman of faith, prayed to God for help. During the assault, Plaintiff feared for her life. After the assault and when Defendant Jackson was satiated, he left the residence.”
It was also revealed that Jackson, his companies Jermaine L Jackson Music Productions and Work Records, were all listed as defendants in the suit, and the listed causes of action are sexual assault, battery, sexual battery, and negligence. Barrett asked for unspecified damages.
Meanwhile, Rolling Stone went on to say that a representative for Jackson couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.
“Rita Barrett suffered an egregious and violent sexual assault,” Barrett’s attorney, Jeff Anderson, told Rolling Stone. “This is about her power and the declaration of it when she learned something could be done under the law, and she found the strength and support to find us and is now standing up for herself and others.”
According to the report, Gordy himself wasn’t named as a defendant, but the suit claims that Gordy protected Jackson for financial interests. Barrett alleges that the day after the assault, she reported the incident to Gordy due to his relationship with both her and the Jackson family, stating that Gordy “was uniquely situated to both report defendant Jackson’s acts and to aid plaintiff during her time of trauma.”
