Cascio Family Breaks Silence on Decades of Alleged Abuse by Michael Jackson
For decades, the Cascio family held a cherished position within Michael Jackson's innermost circle, receiving guidance, gifts, and frequent visits from the King of Pop at their modest New Jersey home. However, they now assert that this closeness came at a devastating price, as five siblings publicly allege they endured sexual abuse at his hands from the 1980s until his death in 2009.
Harrowing Allegations from Childhood
In a raw and compelling interview set to air tonight, Aldo Cascio, 35, provides a detailed account of the abuse he claims began when he was just seven years old. He recalls sitting on a bed playing a Game Boy when Jackson allegedly pulled down his shorts and initiated sexual acts. "I was just sitting on the bed with him during the day, and I was just playing my Game Boy," Aldo says. "And I remember he just went to me and pulled down my shorts." Over the years, the abuse reportedly intensified, including full sexual acts by age ten, with Jackson using psychological manipulation to maintain control.
Family's Trust and Betrayal
The Cascio family first connected with Jackson in 1984 when father Dominic managed the Helmsley Palace in New York, where the singer often stayed. Dominic facilitated special requests, such as installing a dancefloor, and introduced Jackson to his wife Connie and young sons. The family trusted Jackson implicitly, even supporting him during the 1993 allegations by Jordan Chandler, which were settled out of court for $23 million. However, Aldo alleges the abuse began during a trip to Florida when Jackson took him unsupervised, claiming it was for dance training.
Psychological Manipulation and Isolation
Aldo describes how Jackson groomed him through emotional manipulation, framing the abuse as an expression of love. "Michael told me, 'I make you feel good because I love you. And, you know, we’ve talked about love before. So, for me, this was just like an extension of that,'" he recounts. Jackson allegedly trained Aldo to deny any wrongdoing to authorities, instigating role-plays where he pretended to be police. The singer also worked to isolate Aldo from peers, persuading him to cancel school trips and switch to home-schooling. Aldo's sister, Marie Nicole, claims Jackson began abusing her after the 9/11 attacks in 2001, when he stayed with the family for four months.
Legal Battle and Estate Denials
The Cascio family is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with Jackson's estate, seeking to void a confidential settlement they say silenced them. They insist their motivation is truth, not money, amid estate revenues of approximately $3 billion since Jackson's death. The estate has denied all allegations, labeling the lawsuit a $213 million "shakedown." Aldo criticizes an upcoming biopic starring Jackson's nephew, Jaafar, as misleading. "It’s a lie," he says. "They’re probably going to showcase how he was a philanthropist... The truth is, he did these things to mask what he really wanted to do."
Aftermath and Public Revelation
Aldo's final conversation with Jackson occurred just three days before the singer's death in 2009, when he refused further sexual advances. After Jackson died, Aldo felt relief but had to conceal his true emotions. The turning point came in 2018 when he watched the documentary Leaving Neverland, which featured similar abuse claims. He then revealed his ordeal to his family, prompting his siblings to come forward with their own allegations. Connie Cascio expresses guilt, saying, "I feel responsible for all this... I should have known what was happening to my kids." The family hopes their story will help others and bring accountability, though Jackson can no longer face trial.
