The Economic Times
Former Michael Jackson PR adviser now says he believes star abused children in new documentary
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By
Maitreyee Thakkar
Global DeskLast Updated: Feb 07, 2026, 03:13:00 PM IST
A new documentary has reignited debate over Michael Jackson’s legacy after a former public relations adviser publicly said he now believes the late pop star sexually abused children and that efforts were made to conceal it. The claims come from Vincent Amen, who worked with Jackson’s team during the singer’s 2005 criminal trial and appears in an upcoming Channel 4 documentary revisiting the case.
According to RadarOnline, Vincent Amen, who worked within Michael Jackson’s public relations circle during the 2005 trial, says he has changed his views after years of defending the singer.
Amen, who joined Jackson’s team in 2003 following the broadcast of Living with Michael Jackson, now claims he believes the star sexually abused children and that a cover-up existed within Jackson’s inner circle ..
“I absolutely believe that Michael Jackson is guilty of child abuse and molestation. I believe there was a cover-up for so many years,” Amen said while appearing in the documentary Michael Jackson: The Trial, as per the outlet.
Amen said his perspective shifted over time after what he described as years of denial and suppression inside the singer’s entourage.
The allegations are part of a four-part Channel 4 documentary revisiting the Santa Barbara criminal trial, once dubbed the “trial of the century.”
The 2005 case centered on accusations from Gavin Arvizo, who alleged Jackson molested him at Neverland Ranch when he was 13. Jackson faced multiple criminal counts, including conspiracy and false imprisonment.
After a four-month trial, Jackson was acquitted of all charges. This acquittal remains the only criminal verdict in the singer’s lifetime.
Amen said his role began shortly after the controversial 2003 documentary in which Jackson openly discussed sharing his bed with children.
In the film, Jackson told journalist Martin Bashir:
“I have slept in a bed with many children… the most loving thing to do is to share your bed with someone.”
The comments triggered global backlash and, according to Amen, prompted urgent internal efforts to manage the public relations fallout.
Amen also described a moment he claims changed his perspective. He said he discovered a naturist magazine allegedly linked to Jackson and confidant Frank Cascio, containing advertisements for videos featuring “naked kids” that were circled “to be ordered.”
These statements represent personal allegations and opinions, not court findings.
Despite renewed allegations and documentaries, the verified legal record remains unchanged. Jackson was acquitted of all criminal charges in 2005, civil settlements were reached in the 1990s without admission of guilt and current lawsuits relate to civil claims against Jackson’s companies, not criminal prosecution.
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