Jackson Criticizes Release of Terms in ’93 Molestation Case

Michael Jackson issued a statement Thursday criticizing whoever leaked documents that disclosed the settlement terms in a 1993 civil case accusing him of child molestation.

The records, obtained by Court TV on Tuesday, said Jackson had agreed to pay $15.3 million to a boy who said the singer molested him. The singer, who faces a trial in Santa Maria, Calif., on charges of molesting another boy in 2003, said he would never harm a child and that he had reluctantly agreed to the 1993 settlement because of the case’s potential to harm his career.

“I respect the obligation of confidentiality imposed on all of the parties to the 1993 proceedings. Yet, someone has chosen to violate the confidentiality of those proceedings,” Jackson said in the statement. “Whoever is now leaking this material is showing as much disrespect for the Santa Maria court’s gag order as they are a determination to attack me.”

Jackson also said that no one has opened an investigation into the leaks. He also urged the public to see the leaks “for what they are.”

“These kinds of attacks and leaks seek to try the case in the press, rather than to a jury who will hear all of the evidence that will show that I did not, and would not, ever, harm a child,” the singer said. “I have always maintained my innocence, and vehemently denied that these events ever took place.”

Jackson, 45, has been free on $3-million bail since his arrest in November.

He is charged with 10 felony counts in a grand jury indictment that accuses him of child molestation, attempted child molestation, supplying intoxicants to a minor to seduce him, and conspiracy to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion.

The next court date in the case is June 25. Jackson is not expected to attend the hearing.