Michael Jackson settles suit, maintains innocence and "gets on with his life."

Jet, Feb 14, 1994

When megastar Michael Jackson spoke the words below (see box) during a goodwill tour of the African nations of Gabon, Ivory Coast, Tanzania and Egypt, he had accomplished a personal mission:

He visited many children in orphanages, churches, schools, playgrounds and pediatric hospitals. He sat on beds with children who were deformed and children who were ill. He sat and talked to them, hugged, cuddled and shook hands with them --and didn't wear a surgical mask like he sometimes does in America.

It is because of his love of children and his association with them that he has been living a nightmare. After more than five months of bizarre rumors, innuendoes, charges and denials, Jackson decided not to allow the nightmarish allegations that he molested a 14-year-old boy to drag on for what was sure to be many more months.

He recently settled the civil complaint filed by the boy but steadfastly maintains his innocence. Now, with a sigh of relief, the singer/songwriter and dancer is making plans to resume his multi-million dollar music career and to continue his international philanthropic efforts to improve conditions for children around the world.

At a press conference held in Santa Monica, CA, attorneys for both Jackson and the boy read brief statements announcing a settlement of the civil suit. No monetary figures were revealed to the media, although some speculated that the figure was at least $10 million.

Johnnie L. Cochran Jr., one of Jackson's attorneys, told JET that all the monetary figures given by the media have been incorrect. He explained the settlement by saying: "We tried to do what was in the best interest of Michael Jackson both short and long term. It wouldn't do any good to drag this thing out for six more months. He didn't need more innuendoes and rumors night after night."

Speaking with a firm and deliberate demeanor, attorney Cochran told reporters at the Santa Monica news conference:

"In the past 10 days the rumors and speculation surrounding this case have reached a fever pitch and, by and large, have been false and outrageous. As Mr. (Larry R.) Feldman (the boy's lawyer) has correctly indicated, Michael Jackson has maintained his innocence from the beginning of this matter and now as this matter will soon be concluded, he still maintains that innocence.

"The resolution of this case is in no way an admission of guilt by Michael Jackson. In short, he is an innocent man who does not intend to have his career and his life destroyed by rumors and innuendoes. Throughout this ordeal, he has been subjected to an unprecedented media feeding frenzy, especially by the tabloid press. The tabloid press has shown an insatiable thirst for anything negative and has paid huge sums of money to people who have little or no information and who barely knew Michael Jackson.

"So today, the time has come for Michael Jackson to move on to new business, to get on with his life, to start the healing process and to move his career forward to even greater heights. This he intends to do. At the appropriate time, Michael Jackson will speak out publicly as to the agony, torture and pain he has had to suffer during the past six months."

The highly-acclaimed Los Angeles lawyer was especially critical of the TV tabloid show "Hard Copy" because it reportedly paid two of the Jackson family security guards and Michael Jackson's maid to discuss what they say, they knew and heard.

Cochran told JET: "They ("Hard Copy") want ratings. They pay witnesses. Any similarity between the truth and "Hard Copy" is purely coincidental."

Jackson was in Las Vegas at the time of the settlement, preparing for the upcoming "Jackson Family Honors," a musical television special that will raise money for various charities and honor the contributions made by Motown founder Berry Gordy and actress Elizabeth Taylor. In addition to preparing for the TV special, Jackson is getting ready to begin work soon on a new album.

Despite settling the civil case, Jackson must still, for the time being, deal with the on-going criminal investigation of him by the district attorney's offices in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara.

In criminal cases, prosecutors are required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt and moral certainty that an individual committed a crime. In civil cases, those bringing charges only have to prove their cases by a preponderance of evidence.

Los Angeles District Attorney Gil Garcetti told reporters that despite the civil settlement, "the criminal investigation of singer Michael Jackson is ongoing and will not be affected by the announcement of the civil case settlement. The district attorney's office is taking Mr. Feldman at his word that the alleged victim will be allowed to testify..."

The boy's suit was set to begin in March. However, the civil settlement hurts the progress of the criminal case because under California law, minors involved in sex crimes cannot be punished if they fail to testify. Court observers have suggested that if the boy's family decides to move on with their lives, prosecutors could be severely damaged.