Jermaine Jackson could be on the hook for $6.5 million after a woman who accused him of rape alleged that he’s failed to properly respond to her lawsuit.
As reported by TMZ, Rita Butler Barrett filed a lawsuit in December 2023, accusing Jackson of sexually assaulting her in 1988. The woman has since asked a Los Angeles judge for a $6.5 million default judgment because he hasn’t responded to the lawsuit. In a court filing, her attorneys said they weren’t able to get in contact with him and serve legal notices.
Her attorneys attempted to serve him legal notices multiple times throughout 2025 and again in February 2026, which the court approved. The lawsuit was filed under California’s Sexual Abuse and Cover Up Accountability Act. Barrett said that she had mutual connections to the Motown Records artist and brother of Michael Jackson through the music industry. She alleged that he showed up at her home in Encino one day and “violently raped” her after forcing himself inside her home.
She claimed that she informed Motown Records founder Berry Gordy of the alleged incident the following day, but said he allegedly “withheld and concealed the acts.” Barrett also claimed that Jackson, Gordy, and "others in the business relationship" coordinated a cover-up to "prevent disclosure of information relating to the abuse for the purpose of profit and preservation of reputation."
Jackson has not responded to the lawsuit, but has made multiple public appearances in recent months, including at the Hollywood premiere of the Michael Jackson biopic, Michael. The lawsuit also named several of Jackson’s business enterprises, including Jermaine L. Jackson Music Productions, Inc., and Work Records, Inc.
“This is about her power and the declaration of it when she learned something could be done under the law, and she found the strength and support to find us and is now standing up for herself and others,” said her attorney, Jeff Anderson.
