Jermaine Jackson Scores Legal Win as Default Judgment is Voided in Rape Case

Jermaine Jackson has a major legal victory in his ongoing civil case. A California judge voided a $6.5 million default judgment against him. This ruling came due to an issue with how the lawsuit was served. The case remains active and will now proceed in court.

via: People

Judge Elaine W. Mandel voided the default judgment that ordered Jackson to pay $6.5 million to a woman who accused him of rape and sexual assault in an alleged 1988 incident. The ruling, obtained by PEOPLE, was filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, on Tuesday, June 30.

A default judgment occurs in favor of the plaintiff when a defendant misses a filing deadline, fails to show up in court, or ignores a lawsuit.

In April, Barrett's legal counsel submitted a memorandum to the court claiming that Jackson was properly served but failed to respond. However, Jackson argued that he was "erroneously sued" in court documents filed on Wednesday, June 3.

The musician, who has denied sexually assaulting accuser Rita Butler Barrett, claimed that he was incorrectly sued as "Jermaine Jackson" because he legally changed his name to "Jermaine LaJuane Jacksun" in the state of California in 2013.

Jackson also claimed that he was living in Bahrain when attempts were made to reach him at his mother's Encino, Calif., address.

Because he was overseas, he also alleged that he had not seen the summons that was published in The Los Angeles Times.

“The failure to use Jacksun's true legal name is fatal, compounded by plaintiff's decision to publish in Los Angeles, while Jacksun was apparently living overseas," wrote Mandel in Tuesday's decision. "The court recognizes the difficulties in locating defendants living abroad. However, choosing to publish in Los Angeles after receiving notice that Jacksun was likely abroad, and doing so with an incorrect name, leaves no choice but to void the default judgment."

Barrett alleged in a complaint filed in December 2023 that Jackson sexually assaulted her after allegedly showing up uninvited to her home in or around the spring of 1988.

She claimed that he sexually assaulted her with "force and violence" and left when he was "satiated," allegedly causing her to fear for her life.

Barrett claimed that the next day, she reported the alleged assault to Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, but Gordy and others in the business allegedly covered it up to protect Jackson's career.

Barrett said she has "suffered severe emotional, physical, and psychological injury, including humiliation, shame, guilt, economic loss, economic capacity, and permanent emotional distress" following the alleged assault, according to the complaint.

"Jermaine is adamant that he did not rape the Plaintiff," Bret Lewis, Jackson's attorney, says in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.

"I would add that the alleged conduct is not characteristic of the Jermaine Jackson/sun that I have known for years as his long-time attorney," continues the statement. "We intend to vigorously defend these allegations."

PEOPLE has reached out to Barrett's attorney for comment.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.