LOS ANGELES, June 16 (UPI) -- U.S. pop star Michael Jackson reportedly paid the family of an alleged victim more than $18 million to settle molestation charges against him in 1993.
Jackson consented to set up a trust fund of $15.3 million for the boy, so long as the child and his parents agreed not to pursue criminal charges, ABC reported, citing a redacted version of the agreement, the details of which have been secret for the past decade but were recently obtained by Court TV.
The entertainer also agreed to pay each of the boy's parents $1.5 million for their silence.
The agreement could become part of Jackson's current child-molestation case if the 1993 accuser opts to testify, ABC pointed out.
Jackson has always denied the 1993 allegations and said he made a deal with the boy's family because he did not want a messy legal battle.
Court TV said Jackson "specifically disclaims any liability to, and denies any wrongful acts" in the 31-page document he signed on Jan. 25, 1994.
