The ongoing battle between HBO and the estate of late #MichaelJackson over the #LeavingNeverland doc has come down to a lawsuit, in which the estate is seeking $100 million in damages.
According to an injunction filed by the Jackson Estate and obtained by Deadline, “The Jackson Estate will seek all damages proximately caused by HBO’s reprehensible disparagement of Michael Jackson, which could exceed $100 million should HBO succeed in the damage it intends to cause to the legacy of Michael Jackson.”
“Petitioners further pray that the arbitrator award punitive damages in the maximum amount permissible if and when Petitioners show their entitlement to such damages,” reads the 53-page court filing.
Attorney Howard Weitzman said, “HBO breached its agreement not to disparage Michael Jackson by producing and selling to the public a one-sided marathon of unvetted propaganda to shamelessly exploit an innocent man no longer here to defend himself.”
Weitzman continued, “HBO could have and should have ensured that Leaving Neverland was properly sourced, fact-checked and a fair and balanced representation. Instead, they chose to fund and produce a film where they knew the two subjects had for many years testified under oath and told family, friends and law enforcement that Mr. Jackson did nothing inappropriate to either of them.”
HBO’s programming chief Casey Bloys previously stated, “The one thing I would say about this documentary is I would ask everybody to watch it and make their judgments after seeing it.”
The documentary is scheduled to air on March 3rd and 4th. Will you be tuning in?
