Jermaine Jackson has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in or around the spring of 1988. A lawsuit filed Wednesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court by Rita Butler Barrett alleges sexual abuse, sexual assault, sexual battery, negligence and rape by Jackson, now 69, according to papers obtained by PEOPLE. Jermaine L. Jackson Music Productions, Inc. and Work Records, Inc. were named co-defendants alongside Jackson.
A rep for Jackson did not immediately return PEOPLE’s request for comment on the allegations. In the lawsuit, Barrett contends she knew Jackson for several years before the alleged sexual assault took place due to “professional and personal connections.” The papers state that her husband, Ben Barrett, worked closely with Berry Gordy, whom she believes was “in a business and/or management relationship” with Jackson at the time of the alleged assault.
Jackson allegedly arrived at Barrett’s home in or around the spring of 1988 unannounced and forced himself inside. Barrett claims he then sexually assaulted her with “force and violence” and left when he was “satiated.”
“During the assault, Plaintiff, a woman of faith prayed to God for help. During the assault, Plaintiff feared for her life,” the lawsuit reads.
Barrett claims she reported the assault the following day to Gordy, whom she alleges “withheld and concealed the acts.” Barrett asserts that by doing so, Gordy, Jackson, and “others in the business relationship” were able to gain profits from Jackson’s work “for years to come.” Barrett alleges a cover-up was in place to “prevent disclosure of information relating to the abuse for the purpose of profit and preservation of reputation.”
The lawsuit states that Barrett has “suffered severe emotional, physical, and psychological injury, including humiliation, shame, guilt, economic loss, economic capacity, and permanent emotional distress” after her interaction with Jackson. Jackson rose to fame as a member of the Jackson 5, later known as The Jacksons, which featured his younger brother, Michael Jackson.
In a statement, Barrett’s attorney Jeff Anderson said that his client “suffered an egregious and violent sexual assault.”
“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,” his statement added.
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