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Judge dismisses lawsuit of Michael Jackson sexual abuse accuser who starred in 'Leaving Neverland' doc

By Melissa Roberto

Published October 23, 2020

Fox News
Fox News Flash top entertainment headlines for October 22 Video

A judge has dismissed the lawsuit of one of two men who alleged that Michael Jackson abused them as boys in the HBO documentary “Leaving Neverland."

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Mark A. Young on Tuesday found that James Safechuck, 42, could not sue the two corporations Jackson owned that are named as defendants in the lawsuit, MJJ Productions Inc., and MJJ Ventures Inc.

Young said Safechuck's lawsuit had not demonstrated that he had a relationship with the corporations that would have required them to protect him from Jackson.

“We are pleased that the court dismissed Mr. Safechuck’s case by ruling that he had no grounds to pursue such a lawsuit,” Jackson estate attorneys Howard Weitzman and Jonathan Steinsapir said in a statement.

MICHAEL JACKSON'S FORMER MANAGER NO LONGER IN LEGAL BATTLE WITH HIS ESTATE

An email seeking comment from Safechuck's attorney was not immediately returned.

A judge on Tuesday dismissed the lawsuit of one of two men who alleged Michael Jackson abused them as boys.

A judge on Tuesday dismissed the lawsuit of one of two men who alleged Michael Jackson abused them as boys. (Jim Ruymen - Pool/Getty Images)

It's the second time Safechuck's case, filed in 2013, has been thrown out. A judge dismissed it in 2017, but an appeals court revived it early this year after California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a new law giving those who allege childhood sexual abuse a longer time to file lawsuits.

MICHAEL JACKSON ESTATE HITS BACK AT 'LEAVING NEVERLAND,' SAYS SEXUAL ABUSE ACCUSERS ARE 'MOTIVATED BY MONEY'

The similar lawsuit of Safechuck's fellow accuser and “Leaving Neverland” subject Wade Robson, which was also revived by the appeals court, remains alive.

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The Jackson estate has adamantly and repeatedly denied that he abused either of the boys, and it is suing HBO over “Leaving Neverland.”

Melissa Roberto covers entertainment at Foxnews.com. You can reach her at Melissa.Roberto@fox.com.

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