Source: Gisela Schober / Getty
HBO is facing a potential lawsuit from a man who was mentioned in the upcoming Leaving Neverland documentary, stating that the film is spreading falsehoods. Brett Barnes, who is shown as a boy in the film, says that Michael Jackson never molested him and he’s filing his suit due to that insinuation.
Related: Oprah To Interview Michael Jackson’s Accusers On HBO & OWN Network
TMZ reports:
The upcoming documentary, “Leaving Neverland,” shows Brett, and he claims it implies Jackson molested him as a boy. As for why Barnes thinks this … Wade Robson — one of Jackson’s well-known alleged victims — claims in the doc, Barnes “replaced him.” The film then shows Michael and Brett together on tour. Thus, the insinuation.
Barnes lawyered up and threatened HBO with a lawsuit, claiming the documentary puts him in a false light and subjects him to “hatred, contempt and ridicule.” Presumably, the lawyer is saying MJ supporters will target Barnes as a result of the documentary.
Barnes testified at Jackson’s criminal trial in 2005 — along with Macaulay Culkin — that he was never sexually abused by Jackson … and he hasn’t changed his account since. Brett also tweeted about the MJ allegations in January, calling them “lies.”
Related: ‘Leaving Neverland’ Doc Examines Claims By 2 Alleged Sexual Abuse Victims Of Michael Jackson
HBO has replied to Barnes’ suit, stating it will not strike his image and his account from the film, which appears only briefly.
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Photo: Getty
Follow @‘magicbaltimore’HBO Faces Lawsuit From Man Mentioned In ‘Leaving Neverland’ Doc was originally published on hiphopwired.com
