Jermaine Jackson was accused of sexually assaulting a woman in or around the spring of 1988.
The lawsuit, filed Wednesday by Rita Butler Barrett in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleges sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual abuse, neglect and rape by Jackson, now 69, according to documents obtained by PEOPLE. Jermaine L. Jackson Music Productions, Inc. and Work Records, Inc. were named co-defendants alongside Jackson.
A representative for Jackson did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on the allegations.
Jermaine Jackson during the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival at the Palais des Festivals in May 2017.
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In the lawsuit, Barrett claims she knew Jackson for several years before the alleged sexual assault occurred due to “professional and personal connections.” The newspaper said her husband, Ben Barrett, worked closely with Berry Gordy, who it believes was “in a business and/or managerial relationship” with Jackson at the time of the alleged attack.
Jackson allegedly arrived at Barrett’s home in or around the spring of 1988 unannounced and forced his way inside. Barrett claims he then sexually assaulted her with “force and violence” and left when he was “fed up”.
“During the attack, the plaintiff, a woman of faith, prayed to God for help. During the attack, the plaintiff feared for her life,” the lawsuit states.
Barrett claims she reported the assault to Gordy the next day, who she claims “withheld and covered up the acts.” Barrett claims that in this way Gordy, Jackson and “others in the business relationship” were able to profit from Jackson’s work “for years to come.”
Barrett claims the cover-up was in place to “prevent the disclosure of information related to profit and reputational abuse.”
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Tito, Jackie, Michael, Jermaine and Marlon Jackson of the Jackson 5.
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The lawsuit alleges that Barrett “suffered severe emotional, physical and psychological harm, including humiliation, shame, guilt, economic loss, economic capacity and lasting emotional distress” after her interaction with Jackson.
Jackson became famous as a member of the group Jackson 5, later known as The Jacksons, which included his younger brother Michael Jackson.
In a statement, Barrett’s attorney, Jeff Anderson, said his client “suffered an outrageous and violent sexual assault.”
“This is about her power and statement about when she found out that something could be done under the law, and she found the strength and support to find us and now stand up for herself and others,” his statement added.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.
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