The estate of Michael Jackson has filed a lawsuit against Frank Cascio, a former close friend of the legendary artist, alleging that he attempted to extort more than $200 million by “threatening to leak damaging claims.”

The Blast reports that on Tuesday (June 8), the petition was filed  in Los Angeles Superior Court “seeking to compel Cascio into arbitration, citing breach of contract and civil extortion.”

“Mr. Cascio was part of Michael’s life for over 30 years, publicly defending him and calling himself family,” a spokesperson for the estate said in a statement.

“Now, years after Michael’s death, he is seeking to profit from claims he once rejected as false.”

According to a 2020 confidentiality agreement, Cascio and his attorney Mark Geragos, who once represented Jackson, allegedly threatened to make public statements that the estate calls “false and defamatory,” if they weren’t paid an enormous settlement

Per the filing, Cascio changed his stance on Jackson’s innocence.MJ ESTATE SUEING