https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WR7J_mo ... e=youtu.be
An excellent piece.
Wade Robson Changes Donation Page After Backlash From Michael Jackson Supporters
Wade Robson has changed the name of a fund set up to collect donations in the wake of HBO airing “Leaving Neverland.”
The recently established fund, set up through Hawaii Community Foundation, was originally named “Robson Family Fund,” and “created a powerful way to contribute towards the healing from and prevention of child abuse.”
Donations started at $250, but the charity did not specifically say where the money would go. Robson and his wife, Amanda, began taking heat online from people suggesting they were trying to cash in on the controversy from “Leaving Neverland.”
Tuesday morning, the “Robson Family Fund” page was removed and replaced with the “Robson Child Abuse Healing and Prevention Fund.” Along with the new name, the page also touts a personal donation from Robson of $10,000.
The charity page also links out to Robson’s website, which now features lots of resources for sexual abuse survivors, including books, therapy information and tips on meditation.
As we reported, sources close to the estate and family of Michael Jackson believe Robson only participated in the HBO documentary to boost his own fame, and have pointed out inconsistencies over the years in his allegations of abuse regarding the late singer.
https://theblast.com/wade-robson-don...ing-neverland/
Michael Jackson's legacy clouded by dark documentary
By Associated Press
Published: 18:14 GMT, 5 March 2019
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Can the memory of Michael Jackson survive "Leaving Neverland"?
After all, it has bounced back before. The superstar's image was tarnished by allegations of sexual abuse that shadowed him throughout much of his adult life and even stood trial on child molestation charges in 2005, for which he was acquitted. His untimely death in 2009 seemed to wash that stain away in an outpouring of public love and a resurgence of sales of his always popular music.
Now, 10 years later, the HBO documentary "Leaving Neverland" has aired detailed and disturbing stories from two men who say Jackson groomed them for sex and molested them when they were just little boys.
It has cast a spotlight on Jackson's unsavory history at a #MeToo moment when old allegations against stars have been taking hold, and taking them down.
So far, there has been no evidence of major damage to Jackson's music or his estate, which has made an estimated $2 billion since his death. His music has been featured in commercials and is the subject of a Cirque Du Soleil show in Las Vegas. A play about his life by Pulitzer Prize-winner Lynn Nottage is due out on Broadway next year.
And it may not. After all, Jackson is dead now, which means he can't be charged or put on trial, keeping the story in the headlines for months or years to come.
And there is Jackson's nearly unparalleled star status - starting out as a cherub-faced 11-year-old sensation with the Jackson 5, then catapulting into a global phenomenon with the world's best-selling album of all time, "Thriller," to his credit and hits adored by multiple generations.
"It's hard to compare someone of Michael Jackson's caliber to anyone else," said Danny Deraney, a publicist who often handles crisis management. "I don't think we've seen anything like it."
Still, Oprah Winfrey, with her vast influence, may have heralded a shift in public attitudes just by hosting the special "After Neverland," in which she interviewed the documentary's subjects, James Safechuck and Wade Robson.
"I hope we can get beyond Michael Jackson the icon, stop staring into the sun, and do what is necessary to help our children and ourselves," Winfrey said in front of an audience of sexual abuse survivors and their supporters.
She did not directly condemn Jackson. But she praised the film, treated its assertions as truth, and said that she was expecting an earful from Jackson's defenders.
"I'm gonna get it," Winfrey, who interviewed Jackson before the allegations emerged in 1993 and his family after his death, said at the end of the show that aired Sunday and Monday on HBO and OWN just after the documentary.
And she did. Even before the special taped, she was subject to fierce criticism by some who left disparaging comments on her social media account.
It could be that Jackson's fandom is so pervasive, especially in countries that don't follow his personal news closely, that the documentary and renewed allegations will just make a small dent.
"For Michael Jackson's fans, more so probably outside of America, I don't think it will have an effect, because they'll ride or die with Michael," Deraney said.
Robson and Safechuck's allegations didn't emerge until 2013, when they filed lawsuits seeking money from Jackson's estate that have since been thrown out and are under appeal. Both men had previously denied Jackson sexually abused them and had been among his fiercest defenders when Jackson was alive, but say having their own children and Jackson's death led them to confront their truth.
Because of the men's past denials, some Jackson fans have dismissed their testimonies as lies, motivated by money. Some even refused to watch the documentary. Still, after the film began airing, there were casual fans who felt gutted by the revelations, with some saying they could not listen to his music the same way - if at all.
"People have already made the decision one way or the other," Deraney said. "I think when a lot of people think of Michael Jackson they already think 'pedophile,' whether or not there is any proof."
"I think what it comes down to," Deraney added, "is future generations."
Many millennials have only vague knowledge of the Jackson accusations, and are shocked even by facts that are acknowledged by both sides.
"I'm young enough to have not been aware of the allegations about Michael Jackson as they were happening," 31-year-old New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie tweeted while watching the documentary. "It is WILD TO ME that anyone thought his behavior around and constant contact with young boys was remotely okay."
Some of Jackson's fellow artists have indicated they will not give him and his influence up easily, and say they can separate the performer from the person.
Jason Derulo recently released the first music and videos from a planned boxed set of EPs that the singer and dancer made in tribute to Jackson. It's set to be released in its entirety on June 25, the 10th anniversary of Jackson's death.
"Michael was the sole reason I started singing and dancing, so this was a way for me to give back," Derulo, who has not seen "Leaving Neverland," told The Associated Press. "I started this project because of my love of the performer that Michael Jackson is and the influence that he had on my life as the best performer that ever lived. This has nothing to do with anyone's personal life."
India.Arie says it was right to speak out against R. Kelly, who faces new sexual abuse charges after the Lifetime documentary "Surviving R. Kelly" aired more than a decade after he was cleared of child pornography charges. But Jackson's situation is different, the singer said.
"I think it's too late for people to be saying 'mute Michael Jackson,'" Arie told the AP.
"With R. Kelly there's video," she said, referencing a sex tape that allegedly shows the singer's abuse. "With Michael Jackson, there's a lot of speculation. I don't know if it's going to go as far. ... Not because we love him more, I just think it's a different situation."
Jackson's estate, his most ardent fans, and his family, have no such ambiguity in their views. They say the documentary repeats discredited allegations from admitted liars.
Jackson's brothers said they were already in a rough period of managing his memory and legacy with their father Joseph Jackson's death last year, when they heard that "Leaving Neverland" was coming.
"This time is difficult for us because you know Michael, coming up on the 10th anniversary of his passing and my father passed away six months ago," Marlon Jackson told the AP last week. "So those things are still there, and you never get rid of them. You learn to live with them. And now we're dealing with something that's totally different but has no truth to it. There's no facts at all."
At least one prominent and formerly devoted fan says he's been forced to reconsider.
"I've spent a lifetime loving MJ," Los Angeles Times music writer Gerrick D. Kennedy wrote after seeing the documentary's premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
"Roughly an hour into 'Leaving Neverland,' it felt like my chest had caved in .... It wasn't long before I accepted that 'Leaving Neverland' would force me - and likely many others who also feel a deep connection to Jackson's work - to see that none of us really knew him. And that maybe we'd been avoiding the truth."
The subjects of the documentary themselves don't have strong feelings about whether people should give up Jackson's music.
"It's a chance to reevaluate who you want to be your idols," Safechuck told the AP at Sundance. "Because you can write a song, does that mean you should be people's moral compass? ... It's less about tearing down somebody and more about an opportunity of who do we want to look up to."
"There's plenty of other amazing people to fill that role."
___
Associated Press Writers Gary Gerard Hamilton and Lindsey Bahr contributed to this report.
EXCLUSIVE: Lawyer who took Wade Robson's deposition in Michael Jackson's child molestation trial in 2005 says the Australian dancer and his co-accuser James Safechuck are lying - simply chasing 'fame and money'
Brian Oxman has hit out against Michael Jackson accusers Wade Robson and James Safechuck, saying the two are lying about the King of Pop abusing them
Oxman was Jackson's lawyer during his 2005 child molestation trial and took Robson's sworn out-of-court testimony ahead and had numerous calls with him
The 66-year-old said: 'I cannot tell you how many countless times Robson told me: ''Michael did not do this. This boy (Arvizo) shouldn't be doing this'''
He added: 'Wade and I discussed explicit details of the allegations... he always stuck to his story that Michael was innocent of these charges'
Lead defense attorney Thomas Mesereau asked Robson outright three times and he denied each count, according to the transcript dated May 5, 2005
Oxman said: 'For him to change that story all these years later means he lied to us all, including the court - and that is perjury'
Oxman added that HBO's Leaving Neverland documentary is not 'balanced' saying it's a 'one sided attack on a dead man from two perjurers'
By Ryan Parry West Coast Editor For Dailymail.com And James Desborough For Dailymail.com
Published: 20:14 GMT, 5 March 2019 | Updated: 20:51 GMT, 5 March 2019
The attorney who took Wade Robson's hours long deposition ahead of Michael Jackson's now infamous 2005 child molestation trial says he and James Safechuck are lying about being abused by the King Of Pop and insists the pair were never paid off by the superstar.
The bombshell documentary Leaving Neverland premiered on HBO on Sunday, detailing the shocking abuse allegations made by the two men.
But Jackson's former lawyer and confidante Brian Oxman, 66, blasted the film, claiming Robson and Safechuck are simply chasing 'fame and money.'
And for the first time the former attorney - who knew Jackson for three decades - details to DailyMailTV how he had numerous telephone calls with Robson to take his sworn out-of-court testimony ahead of the Gavin Arvizo trial and reveals how he repeatedly stated: 'Michael never abused me.'
The once high-profile attorney was on the defense team which successfully helped Jackson get acquitted of 14 charges of abuse leveled at him by accuser Arvizo.
And at each point during his deposition and while sitting on the stand, Oxman says, Robson was 'adamant' that Jackson never touched him or any other children.
Oxman said the Australian dance choreographer even volunteered to fly from his homeland to defend the Bad singer at the highly publicized trial.
And the attorney said an emotional Robson was tearful during their lengthy phone chats, telling him: 'They shouldn't be doing this...tell Michael we are in his corner...I will do whatever it takes to be there for Michael.'
In an exclusive interview Oxman told DailyMailTV: 'We heard the prosecution were planning to make a case that Michael had abused Wade.
'Obviously we reached out to Robson after that to ask him to give evidence about what he knew.
'He was hesitant at first to go public in this case, but did always say Michael never touched him.
'We weren't sure he was going to give evidence, but he kept calling me asking about the progress of the case.
'He was very concerned and was so upset that he had a change of heart.
'And I was charged with taking his deposition. I spent many hours talking to him on the phone and cannot tell you how many countless times Robson told me: ''Michael did not do this. This boy (Arvizo) shouldn't be doing this.''
'He always tried to reach Michael and told me, ''Can you get a message to him that we are in his corner'' and added, ''I will do whatever it takes to be there for Michael.''
Oxman says the detailed deposition covered every aspect of Robson and Jackson's relationship and the allegations of abuse the prosecution asserted.
Oxman said the Australian dance choreographer volunteered to fly from his homeland to defend the Bad singer at the highly publicized trial
. And the attorney said an emotional Robson (right) was tearful during their lengthy phone chats, telling him: 'They shouldn't be doing this...tell Michael we are in his corner...I will do whatever it takes to be there for Michael'
Oxman says the detailed deposition covered every aspect of Robson and Jackson's relationship and the allegations of abuse the prosecution asserted.
Let's not sugarcoat this matter,' Oxman explained. 'Wade and I discussed explicit details of the allegations and any things he may have felt were inappropriate, but he always stuck to his story that Michael was innocent of these charges.
On one occasion there was talk of abuse at a hotel, but Robson hit back: 'No that was not true and my mother was there.'
'Over each conversation he was adamant, and I was so confident in his testimony that I arranged for the ticket from Australia for him to be a key defense witness.'
Oxman insists there was no secret monetary deal struck with Robson other than to pay his travel expenses.
'It was simply a payment of a witness' reasonable expenses to attend, which is statutory, and we stuck to the ethical boundaries,' he said. 'It was arranged strictly through attorneys not Michael.'
Oxman arranged for Robson to fly to Santa Barbara from his home in Australia for the trial in Santa Maria, California, and refutes claims that Jackson coached or bribed him.
'Michael nor any of the legal team paid him a dime to give evidence or talk positively about Michael,' Oxman said.
'And any suggestions that Michael had contact with the witness at that time to coerce him is nonsense too, because it would be undue influence. Under my instructions they did not meet or talk.
'And at that time given how prosecutors were keen on getting Michael for anything, that did not happen on my watch.'
After Robson jetted to California to testify as a key defense witness, Oxman recalls being in court to watch his testimony held over two court sessions.
And in court transcripts obtained by DailyMailTV his denials couldn't be clearer.
Lead defense attorney Thomas Mesereau asked Robson outright three times and he denied each count.
According to the transcript dated May 5, 2005, Mesereau asked: 'Mr Robson did Michael Jackson ever molest you at any time?'
The choreographer, then 26, replied: 'Absolutely not.'
The lawyer then followed up: 'Mr Robson did Michael Jackson ever touch you in a sexual way?
Robson responded: 'Never, no.'
Then he probed again: 'Mr Robson has Mr Jackson ever inappropriately touched any part of your body at any time?' Robson again said: ''No.''
Oxman fired back on the court documents: 'It clearly shows the two men are liars. Robson told the court the same thing he had told me many times before, and had sworn on the Bible. So for him to change that story all these years later means he lied to us all, including the court - and that is perjury. But it is such an old case, the police will not act.
'And I count at least six felonies if he is really telling the truth now. I just do not buy it. Even if he told his version of events now, he would have been impeached because he told the police in 1993 that Michael did not abuse him.
'I would have loved to have stared into his eyes and cross examined him for this TV show.'
The former lawyer added that the documentary is not 'balanced' saying it's a 'one sided attack on a dead man from two perjurers'.
He said: 'It is a disgrace that they had a guarantee that no one would confront them.
'The Jackson family members would all have lined up to give their versions.'
Oxman says he did ponder for a moment whether the two men, who as children spent time in Jackson's bedroom, could be telling the truth - but he reflected: 'Wade never changed his story for many years and I do not believe what he is saying today. It is for fame and money.
'Personally it sickens and hurts me that they would stoop this low.
'The Michael Jackson I knew was not a child abuser and I knew him throughout the whole of his life.'
However, Oxman did admit that Jackson refused to stop entertaining children at his Neverland ranch, despite his nearly $25 million payoff to Jordie Chandler in 1995.
'We told Michael it is was too risky. He was always insistent: ''I am not doing anything improper and I am not going to let my critics dictate my life.''
'From my knowledge there was someone present who watched and nothing ever took place that was improper.
'His theory was that he did not have a childhood and this was his decision.
'I challenged him about his great childhood, but he always said, ''I would have liked to have played more, and lived like other children... and so I am doing that now.''
Oxman, who can no longer work as an attorney after being disbarred by the California Bar Association in 2012 over misuse of a client's trust, says he's still close to the Jackson family. He reveals Jackson matriarch Katherine has been rocked by the HBO documentary, which has affected her health, while other family members are livid at Robson and Safechuck.
'Wade always said that he supported Michael to the family, and they were grateful when he gave evidence in the trial,' he explained.
'So for this to happen now is like a dagger to their hearts, and they cannot understand why he is doing it. It's a betrayal and everyone feels it is money motivated.'
In 2005 Jackson endured a painful three months on trial for seven counts of child sexual abuse on 13-year-old cancer survivor Gavin Arvizo.
But the jury found the superstar innocent of all charges.
Unfortunately Oxman was fired from Jackson's defense team by lead attorney Mesereau before the trial concluded.
He later appeared as a legal expert on a range of TV programs including Good Morning America, Nancy Grace and Larry King Live.
The former attorney believes the ordeal and toll of the trial led The King of Pop into a downward spiral that ended with his drug induced death on June 25, 2009.
Oxman, who also acted as the Jackson family lawyer for years, said: 'Michael never recovered from the 2005 trial. It was the beginning of the end for him.
'He was cleared and was innocent of every charge, but the damage was done mentally and physically.
'In a poll 80 percent of the American people believed he was guilty. It still shocks to me to this day.
'Whatever he did wherever he went a cloud hung over him.'
'Michael couldn't stop thinking about it; it tormented him everyday as he relived those court moments.
'The kid looking at him in the eye and saying you molested me. It destroyed him - his spirit, spark, outlook on life, friendships and heightened his dependency on drugs to escape those flashbacks.
'The mental and drug damages proved too much and within four years he was dead.
'And it breaks my heart still to this day that a case I lived ate and breathed that Michael was innocent from the start. He should never have even been on the stand.'
