Singer Jermaine Jackson has been ordered to pay more than $6.5 million to a woman who accused him of raping her in 1988.

After years of avoiding a trial, 71-year-old Jermaine Jackson must now face the consequences. Sued in December 2023 for a rape he allegedly committed in 1988, Michael Jackson's brother, also a former member of the Jackson Five and father of Jafaar Jackson (currently starring in the biopic "Michael" ), has just been ordered to pay $6.5 million (€5.58 million) to the victim. 

The accuser claims that the singer broke into her home one day in 1988 and sexually assaulted her with "force and violence".

According to the default judgment filed last Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court - which People was able to review - it was ruled that Jermaine Jackson must compensate his accuser Rita Butler Barrett for the damages suffered.

The facts concealed to protect the singer's career

The victim explained that she had known Jermaine Jackson for years through their "professional and personal ties," as her husband, Ben Barrett, was working at the time with Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records who had signed the Jackson Five in 1968. 

Jermaine Jackson was married to Hazel Joy, Berry Gordy's eldest daughter, with whom he had three children. As reported by EW, at the time of the alleged events, Michael Jackson's brother was separated from his wife, who had filed for divorce in November 1987 after he fathered a child with his mistress, Margaret Maldonado.

In her complaint, Rita Butler Barrett stressed that she reported the assault to Berry Gordy the very next day, but that he preferred to "conceal the facts" to protect Jermaine Jackson, who was then under contract with Motown Records as a solo artist.

Berry Gordy's lawyers responded Saturday, stating that "Ms. Barrett's statements regarding Mr. Gordy were false." At the time of writing, Jermaine Jackson's lawyers had not commented on the court's decision.