Jermaine Jackson fails to contest rape case, ordered to pay $6.5 million

Barrett alleged in the filing that she had known Jackson for years before the 1988 incident through her husband Ben Barrett, who worked closely with Motown Records founder Berry Gordy. Gordy and Jackson had a “business relationship” when the assault occurred. Barrett claimed that she had reported the alleged assault to Gordy, but that he covered it up to protect Jackson’s brand and Motown’s image. She pursued the civil lawsuit under California’s Sexual Abuse and Cover Up Accountability Act, which waives the statute of limitations on certain sexual misconduct allegations. Jackson, who made his most recent public appearance at the Michael biopic—starring his son Jaafar—last month while evading Barrett’s notice, has yet to comment on the case.