Oz choreographer`s sexual abuse claim against MJ branded `pathetic`

Melbourne: Australian choreographer Wade Robson`s sexual assault allegation against Michael Jackson has been branded as "outrageous and pathetic" by a lawyer representing the late king of pop`s estate.

Robson, originally from Brisbane, has asked a Los Angeles judge for permission to file a late claim against the dead singer`s estate and an order to seal a complaint for childhood sexual abuse . The move is a surprise as Robson, his mother Joy and sister Chantal, were staunch supporters and key witnesses during Jackson`s 2005 molestation trial in Santa Maria, California, the Age reported. Robson testified at the trial that Jackson did not sexually assault him during sleepovers when he was a child at the late singer`s Neverland Ranch and Las Vegas homes, despite a maid telling the court that she saw the 30-year-old dancer, and then aged eight or nine, in a shower with the singer. However, Jackson`s estate lawyer Howard Weitzman has claimed that Robson`s claim is outrageous and pathetic. "This is a young man who has testified at least twice under oath over the past 20 years and said in numerous interviews that Michael Jackson never did anything inappropriate to him or with him," Weitzman said. He said that now, nearly four years after Jackson has passed this sad and less than credible claim has been made. Meanwhile, Robson`s attorney, Henry Gradstein, accused Jackson of brainwashing and intimidating Robson to keep him from coming forward, on Wednesday. He said that Robson had no financial motive and did not request a specific amount of damages in his claim. ANI