Jermaine Jackson has won another chance to defend himself against claims that he raped a session musician coordinator in 1988.
The Jackson 5 member, who has also had a prolific solo career with hits including Daddy’s Home and Let’s Get Serious, was sued for sexual assault and battery in 2023.
Jackson did not respond to the claims for more than two years, leading a Los Angeles judge to award a $6.5 million (£4.9 million) default judgment to his accuser last month.
Jackson then appeared in court, flatly denying the rape allegations and saying he was unaware of the case until reading media reports about the default judgment.
The singer, who lives in Bahrain, argued that he did not receive legal papers served at his mother’s home or via notices in the Los Angeles Times.
He also noted that he had legally changed his name to Jermaine Jacksun in 2013, meaning he was sued under the wrong name.
The judge credited these arguments in her Tuesday order, reported by Billboard, which wiped the judgment and restarted the litigation process.
Jackson will now get another opportunity to file legal papers responding to his accuser’s lawsuit, which alleges he showed up at her Los Angeles-area home unannounced in the spring of 1988, forced his way through the door and violently raped her.
“Jermaine is adamant that he did not rape the plaintiff,” Jackson’s lawyer shared in a statement to Billboard.
“I would add that the alleged conduct is not characteristic of the Jermaine Jackson/sun that I have known for years as his long-time attorney. We intend to vigorously defend these allegations.”
