Michael Jackson's family criticises Leaving Neverland accusers: 'It's all about the money'

The singer's nephew Taj said Michael could not see how 'odd' his 'sleepovers' with young boys were to the outside world

Michael Jackson’s family has once again lampooned the upcoming documentary Leaving Neverland, saying the accusers featured in the film are “all about the money”.

The documentary features extensive interviews with two men who accuse the singer of molesting them as boys, Wade Robson and James Safechuck. The four-hour long film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah earlier this year and left audience members shocked by the details of the allegations.

The Jackson estate has reacted furiously to the documentary and is suing HBO, the US network that co-produced the film with Channel 4.

Four members of the Jackson family – Michael’s brothers Tito, Marlon, Jackie, and his nephew Taj – are set to appear on CBS This Morning to discuss Leaving Neverland.

A teaser clip shows Marlon telling host Gayle King the accusers were looking for compensation and that it is “all about the money”.

Taj added: ”It’s always been about money. I hate to say it when it’s my uncle, it’s almost like they see a blank cheque.

“These people felt that they’re owed something. You know, instead of working for something, they blame everything on my uncle.”

He later suggests that Michael’s downfall was his “naivete” because he could not see how “odd” his “sleepovers” with young boys appeared to the outside world.

“I grew up in it, so for me it wasn’t odd,” he said. ”You know, I think, to the outside world, yes, I think it can be odd. I mean, I’m not oblivious to what it sounds like.

“But when you’re actually there in that atmosphere and you’re around it, and you’re watching movies with his kids, whether it’s Little Rascals or Three Stooges, and you’re watching these things, it’s like, it’s very innocent.

“But I think the fault on my uncle was he just, he didn’t have that bone in his body to look at it the other way. And I think that was the thing, is that his naivete was his downfall in a way.”

Speaking to The Independent, Leaving Neverland director Dan Reed agreed with claims that the film was “all about the money”.

“Of course it’s all about money,” he said. “It’s about the estate’s money. It made $400m last year [and] is trying to protect its main asset.

“I’m not making any allegations, but I think the question remains: how much did the family know?” he continues. “When did they know it? It’s clear that a lot of people in the Jackson household saw things. On the record, they testified to that. [They] gave evidence in court. But the only noise I’m hearing from the Jackson camp is the estate hurling abuse at children who were raped by Michael Jackson. I think that’s shameful.”

Read the full interview with Reed here. Leaving Neverland: Michael Jackson and Me will air on Channel 4 on Wednesday 6 and Thursday 7 March