Michael Jackson’s child sexual harassment allegations

Evan Chandler, a Los Angeles dentist and screenwriter, accused American singer Michael Jackson of sexually assaulting his 13-year-old son, Jordan Christopher “Jordy” Chandler, in a public statement in 1993. The relationship between Jackson and Jordan started in February 1993, according to case reports, but other documents say it started in May 1992. Jordan was introduced to Jackson by Jordan’s stepfather, car dealer David Schwartz, after Jackson borrowed a vehicle from Schwartz’s dealership. Chandler was initially supportive of their relationship. Chandler later approached his ex-wife June, who had custody of Jordan, with allegations that their son had been involved with Jackson in an intimate relationship; June denied the notion.

On July 15, Chandler’s counsel, Barry Rothman, received a letter from Dr. Mathis Abrams, a psychiatrist, alleging that there was “reasonable suspicion” of sexual assault. Abrams wrote that he would be allowed by law to contact the Los Angeles County Department of Children’s Services if a child abuse report was made. On August 4, Chandler and Jordan met with Jackson and his private investigator, Anthony Pellicano, and Chandler read Abrams’ letter to them. He began talks with the aim of reaching a financial settlement to address the issue. A $350,000 offer from Jackson had been turned down by Chandler and Rothman. The Chandlers sued Jackson for sexual battery, seduction, deliberate misconduct, malicious infliction of emotional distress, deceit, and neglect on September 14, 1993.

The accusations were made public on August 24, 1993, when the third leg of Jackson’s Risky World Tour began, and gained worldwide media coverage. Jackson cancelled the rest of the tour due to health issues related to the controversy. Jackson and the Chandlers signed a $23 million financial settlement in January 1994. The criminal investigation was closed in September 1994 after the Chandlers failed to cooperate, leaving the prosecution without a primary witness.

Jackson’s public profile and market standing were hurt as a result of the accusations, and many sponsorship agreements were cancelled, including Jackson’s decade-long Pepsi endorsement. In 2005, other groups made similar charges, leading to a conviction in which Jackson was found not guilty. Evan Chandler was found dead by gunshot in his luxurious apartment in Jersey City, New Jersey, five months after Michael Jackson’s death, after many years of isolation and estrangement from his family.