Man Files New Sex-Abuse Suit Against Jacko
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Michael Jackson (search) is facing new charges by a man who alleges the singer sexually abused him more than 20 years ago.
Joseph Thomas Bartucci Jr. filed a new federal civil complaint in New Orleans on Monday seeking financial damages against Jackson, alleging that the entertainer sexually abused, battered, falsely imprisoned and caused severe emotional distress to him when he was 18 years old.
The lawsuit also alleges Jackson and his employees subjected the accuser to physical force, intimidation and duress to enable and cover up what was going on.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Bartucci claims that the acts caused him psychological damage that forced him to repress the events until recently, when he saw a Court TV news report about Jackson’s current allegations.
This comes on the heels of a judge's rejecting a defense effort on Thursday to remove the district attorney in the current Jackson child molestation case on the grounds that the pop star had been the victim of an overzealous prosecution.
"I believe he has not been excessively zealous and has not threatened the integrity of the case to this point," the judge said of the prosecutor.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Jackson's lawyer, Thomas Mesereau Jr. (search), fought to remove Sneddon from the case, arguing that the prosecutor was pursuing a personal vendetta against Jackson fueled by his inability to prosecute him in a 1993 molestation case that was settled out of court.
Mesereau pointed to Sneddon's evident glee when announcing charges against Jackson last year as proof that he had a personal stake in the case.
Mesereau also said the prosecutor bullied grand jurors during secret hearings and encouraged an attorney to lie to the panel about why the alleged victim's mother pursued the criminal case.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"They are too emotionally invested in getting a case against the celebrity," Mesereau said. "They are blinded by zeal, blinded by emotion."
He noted that Sneddon had personally gone on an investigating mission to Los Angeles before charges were filed and once traveled to Australia looking for alleged victims of Jackson. "He didn't find any," Mesereau said.
He said that at Sneddon's behest, 70 sheriff's deputies were dispatched to search Jackson's Neverland ranch.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"They have done more to investigate and intimidate Mr. Jackson than they have with serial killers," the attorney said.
In response, Deputy District Attorney Ron Zonen told the judge that Jackson's home comprises 2,800 acres and a 10,000-square-foot residence, which took 18 hours to search.
Zonen told the judge that Sneddon is a well-respected prosecutor who has been re-elected six times. "The people of this county understand Mr. Sneddon's commitment, his hard work and his integrity," he said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The defense had wanted the state attorney general's office to take over the case.
Jackson has pleaded not guilty to child molestation, conspiracy and administering an intoxicating agent, alcohol, to a boy. He is set to stand trial Jan. 31.
FOX News' Megan Dowd and The Associated Press contributed to this report.