Fresh accusations of Jackson abuse
LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Another accuser says pop star Michael Jackson touched him inappropriately and the boy was paid money to keep quiet, CNN has learned.
The decade-old allegation surfaced during the 1993 molestation investigation conducted by the Los Angeles Police Department and the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department, which at that time were looking into allegations made by a 13-year-old boy against the entertainer.
In a statement released to CNN, Jackson called media reports of new allegations "completely false" and said that "he would never harm a child."
"It is unfortunate that yet again I must respond to untruths and sensationalism," he said.
"Years ago, I settled with certain individuals because I was concerned about my family and the media scrutiny that would have ensued if I fought the matter in court," Jackson added.
"These people wanted to exploit my concern for children by threatening to destroy what I believe in and what I do. I have been a vulnerable target for those who want money."
The other allegation, coming from a then 12-year-old boy, said the singer touched him inappropriately over a period of time in 1990, sources familiar with the original investigation told CNN.
The boy accused Jackson of touching him "over his clothes in a sexual manner," the sources said.
The boy was the son of a maid working at Jackson's Neverland Ranch. When the mother found out what had occurred, she quit working for Jackson, the sources said.
Authorities had hoped to use the boy's testimony to bolster that of the 13-year-old who was at the center of the 1993 case.
But the case derailed when that boy decided not to testify and took a multi-million dollar settlement offered by the entertainer instead. No charges were ever filed.
After the case fell apart, the other boy did not want to go it alone, the sources told CNN.
The 1993 investigation also led authorities to believe there were other additional victims and attempts were made to contact and interview them by authorities, sources said.
"I have spent my entire life helping millions of children across the world. I would never harm a child," Jackson said in his statement Friday.
"It is unfortunate that some individuals have seen fit to come forward and make a complaint that is completely false.
"I look forward to the day when I will be vindicated by a jury of my peers. Maybe then, these reports will come to an end."
Jackson, 45, has pleaded not guilty to child molestation for alleged incidents with a boy that prosecutors say took place last year in February and March.
The singer is charged with seven counts of performing lewd or lascivious acts on a child under 14 and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent, reportedly wine.
He is expected to be back in court September 17 when the mother of the current accuser takes the stand in an evidentiary hearing.
