Fresh debate surrounding Michael Jackson has erupted after one of the late singer’s former attorneys publicly defended him while discussing the long-running allegations that followed him for decades.
Attorney L. Londell McMillan addressed the controversy during an interview about the upcoming Jackson biopic, Michael, where he pushed back against claims that the singer harmed children.
Lawyer Defends Jackson Amid Renewed Scrutiny
Speaking on The Scoop with Paula Froelich, McMillan said he personally never believed Jackson was capable of abusing children, despite years of allegations and legal battles tied to the pop star.
“Do I think that Michael Jackson would harm a child? I personally do not,” McMillan said during the interview, while also noting that Jackson was never criminally convicted during his lifetime.
Jackson faced multiple allegations of child sexual abuse dating back to the early 1990s. In 2005, he was acquitted on all charges during a high-profile criminal trial in California.
Sleepovers at Neverland Ranch Back Under Spotlight
One of the biggest controversies surrounding Jackson involved children staying overnight at his famous Neverland Ranch property.
McMillan acknowledged that the sleepovers created damaging optics but argued Jackson may not have fully understood how inappropriate the situations appeared to outsiders.
“He may not have realized that some of the optics… may lead him to the appearance of impropriety,” the lawyer explained, adding that adult sleepovers with children were “not the right thing to do.”
Several celebrities, including Macaulay Culkin, previously defended Jackson and denied any misconduct during their time around the singer.
New Lawsuit Brings Fresh Attention
The renewed conversation comes as members of the Cascio family have reportedly filed new allegations against Jackson’s estate, accusing the singer of years of abuse beginning when they were children.
Jackson’s estate has strongly denied the accusations.
The allegations have also reignited discussion around Leaving Neverland, the controversial documentary featuring claims from Wade Robson and James Safechuck, both of whom accused Jackson of sexual abuse. Jackson’s estate has repeatedly denied those allegations as well.
Fans Remain Divided Online
Reaction online has once again been sharply divided.
Some fans praised McMillan for defending Jackson and argued the singer was unfairly targeted throughout his career. Others questioned why adults around Jackson continued to defend behavior they viewed as deeply inappropriate, even if no conviction occurred.
The debate surrounding Jackson’s legacy continues to remain one of the most polarizing conversations in entertainment history, nearly two decades after his death in 2009.
