The fight over a mystery subpoena issued in the lawsuit brought by Michael Jackson’s accusers – Wade Robson and James Safechuck – has intensified, Us Weekly can exclusively report.
On September 4, Jackson’s companies, MJJ Productions and MJJ Ventures, opposed the request brought by an 84-year-old woman named Marion Goodgame.
As Us first reported, a rep for Goodgame claimed Jackson’s companies issued a subpoena demanding she appear for a deposition. A deposition is a pre-trial, under oath testimony that takes place outside of court.
In the filing, Jackson’s companies argued that Goodgame should appear despite her attempt to be excluded from the case. “Ms. Goodgame claims she is too ill to be deposed, but she has not presented any competent evidence establishing a specific and documented factual showing of harm posed by the taking of her deposition, which is what case law requires to justify a protective order excusing a witness from deposition,” Jackson’s team argued.
Michael Jackson Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Lawyers for MJJ Productions and MJJ Ventures said Goodgame submitted two unsworn letters from medical providers which they call hearsay and not “properly authenticated.”
Jackson’s companies accused Goodgame of attempting to deflect attention from her “deficient evidence by making unfounded accusations” against them, claiming they were attempting to harass her with the deposition demand.
In their filing, Jackson’s companies said they offered accommodations to “minimize any stress or inconvenience” from her deposition but Goodgame still refused. “Moreover, many of the conditions mentioned in the letters, such as hypertension, anxiety and osteoarthritis, are common conditions experienced by a significant portion of the population and some, such as an unsteady gait, are manifestly unlikely to be impacted in any way by sitting for a deposition.” MJJ Productions and MJJ Ventures asked the court to deny Goodgame’s plea.
In response, Goodgame’s lawyer told the court, “[Jackson’s companies’] Opposition is a clear attempt to distract the court from the circumstances at issue. The fact remains that Goodgame is aged, infirm, and unable to sit for a deposition of any length, in this matter.”
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They added, “there has been no evidence introduced implicating Goodgame’s potential testimony as relevant or reasonably likely to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence.”
As Us first reported, the mystery subpoena was first revealed on August 15 when Goodgame filed court docs opposing the deposition.
Wade Robson Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC NewsWire
Goodgame’s lawyer claimed she suffered from “multiple long-term and debilitating physical and mental health conditions” and that appearing for a deposition would “subject her to significant discomfort and physical strain.”
“She is expected to testify regarding highly troubling and sensitive subject matter involving her daughter’s sexual abuse,” Goodgame’s lawyer argued. “It is clear that the emotional and physical strain in recounting these events is unsafe to Goodgame, leaving her in no condition to sit through a deposition and be subject [to] extensive questioning on highly stressful topics.”
Goodgame’s attorney told the court their client had no “substantial relevance” to Robson, 37, and Safechuck’s case.
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A copy of the subpoena issued by Jackson’s companies was submitted in the case. The late pop star’s team asked Goodgame to produce all communications involving Jackson, any communications with her daughter about the entertainer and any communications with her former son-in-law about Jackson. The subpoena also demanded that Goodgame turn over any photos taken at Jackson’s former estate, Neverland Ranch, and turn over a list of all gifts Jackson provided her and any communications related to “any abuse allegations against Michael Jackson.”
In their lawsuit, Robson and Safechuck, 47, claim they were sexually abused by Jackson as young kids. Jackson’s companies denied all allegations of wrongdoing in the legal battle.
