Michael Jackson’s Alleged Victim James Safechuck Accused of Making ‘Scurrilous’ Allegations in Court

James Safechuck is facing scrutiny after Michael Jackson’s companies labeled his allegations as “frivolous” and “scurrilous.”

via: In Touch

Attorneys for Michael’s companies, MJJ Productions and MJJ Ventures, filed an answer to James’ third amended complaint on January 30. The companies denied all allegations of wrongdoing in the case.

They argued that “because of [Jame’s] own affirmative claims that he made false statements and obstructed justice in prior judicial proceedings and other inequitable conduct by him and his associates, all claims in [his complaint] are barred, in whole or part, on the grounds that this entire action was brought by unclean hands, in bad faith, is frivolous and by inequitable conduct.”

Michael’s companies argued James “wait almost four years after Michael Jackson had died before he made his scurrilous and frivolous allegations.”

The attorney for Michael’s companies added, “The nature of these false allegations necessarily makes it impossible for the Corporations to fully defend themselves without the assistance of Michael Jackson himself. The impossibility of fully and completely defending against [James’] false allegations is further magnified by the fact that [James] himself steadfastly denied these allegations during the entirety of Michael Jackson’s life.”

The companies argued they could not possibly have been on notice, prior to Michael’s death, that James would “bring frivolous claims like those here and that they should have been prepared to defend against such frivolous claims.”

They added, “In particular, and by way of example only, when Michael Jackson was frivolously accused of wrongdoing in 1993 and investigated by authorities regarding such wrongdoing, [James] defended Michael Jackson and rejected the allegations of wrongdoing out of hand, including false allegations that Michael Jackson had engaged in wrongdoing with [James] himself.”

Michael’s companies demanded the lawsuit be dismissed and James be ordered to pay their attorney fees.

Another accuser named Wade Robson filed a similar lawsuit against Michael’s companies in 2013. Michael’s companies denied all allegations of wrongdoing in Wade’s case.

James filed his lawsuit in 2014. Both lawsuits were initially dismissed but then revived at appellate court.

The cases were consolidated and both sides are preparing for potential trial. In his lawsuit, James accuses MJJ Productions and MJJ Ventures of intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty and other claims.

James claims that he met Michael when he was cast in a Pepsi commercial around 1986, which featured the singer. In his suit, James claimed Michael wrote him a letter several months after the Pepsi shoot.

“It was fun working with you on the Pepsi commercial! Maybe we can work together again. I’d like to have you come and visit me on the set sometime or when I have some free time you can come to my house. Keep sending me letters. I love to hear from you,” Michael allegedly wrote to James.

James said he was then invited to Michael’s home on Hayvenhurst Avenue in Encino, California, with his parents. He said he continued hanging out with Michael, often without his parents. He claimed they became extremely close and Michael invited him to come on his Bad tour in 1988.

He claimed the first incident of sexual abuse by Michael occurred during the Paris portion of the tour.

James claimed Michael was 29 and he was 10. He said “at or around the time of the first incident of sexual abuse, [James] began sleeping in Michael Jackson’s room in bed with him on a regular basis” during the rest of the tour.

In his lawsuit, James described the alleged abuse in great detail. James claimed Michael referred to the activity as “selling me some” because Michael would give him jewelry after the alleged abuse as a “reward.”

James said he still has some of the jewelry that he was given by Michael after the alleged abuse, including a necklace with a medallion bearing Michael’s face. In his suit, James claimed he was abused by Michael from 1988 to 1992.

“Michael Jackson would repeatedly instruct [James] to be confident and deny everything if ever asked about the abuse,” James’ lawsuit read. “Michael Jackson told him to be quiet about it and not tell anyone, even his parents, about their relationship.”

James claimed that Michael’s companies coordinated his travel with the singer. In his suit, James admitted he provided a witness statement to police in connection with a criminal investigation against Michael in 1993.

He said Michael called to pressure him to testify on his behalf in his 2005 criminal trial, but he said no.

He claimed Michael became upset and continued to try to convince him. Michael was found not guilty in the case.

Michael died on June 25, 2009, at the age of 50. James said he suffered the effects of the abuse for years but didn’t fully understand it until he met with a psychiatrist on May 20, 2013.