Jermaine Jackson's $6.5M Rape Case Judgment Voided Over Name Error

A judge has thrown out a $6.5 million default judgment against Jermaine Jackson in a rape lawsuit, citing a critical procedural error: the plaintiff failed to use his legal name when serving the lawsuit. The decision was revealed in court documents obtained by TMZ.

Plaintiff Rita Butler Barrett filed the lawsuit in December 2023, accusing Michael Jackson's older brother of violently raping her in spring 1988. She claimed Jermaine unexpectedly showed up at her home in Encino, California, and assaulted her for several minutes before abruptly stopping and leaving, leaving her traumatized.

Barrett and her attorney attempted to locate Jermaine to serve him the lawsuit, even publishing a legal notice in the Los Angeles Times in August and September 2025. When he did not respond, a judge awarded her $6.5 million in a default judgment in May 2025. That's when Jermaine finally appeared in court, arguing the judgment should be voided because his legal name was not used and the notices were published in Los Angeles while he lived overseas.

Jermaine stated he was sued as "Jermaine Jackson," but he legally changed his name to Jermaine LaJuane Jacksun in 2013. The judge agreed, noting that "the failure to use Jacksun’s true legal name is fatal," especially since the plaintiff chose to publish in Los Angeles despite knowing Jacksun was likely abroad.

The court gave Jermaine 10 days to respond to the complaint. The case now returns to the initial stages, and it remains to be seen whether the plaintiff will attempt to serve him again with the correct name. The high-profile nature of the case continues to draw public attention, particularly given the Jackson family's legacy.

Legal experts point out that such procedural mistakes are not uncommon in cases involving defendants living abroad, but the large sum and the celebrity status make this case particularly noteworthy. All eyes will be on the next moves of both parties as the legal battle resumes.