Michael Jackson

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The relationship between Michael Jackson and the Chandler family began in May 1992 when Jackson's car broke down and was towed to Rent-a-Wreck. The owner, David Schwartz, called his wife June, who brought her thirteen-year-old son Jordan. A devoted fan since childhood, Jordan quickly bonded with Jackson. Jackson invited Jordan and June to spend weekends at Neverland Ranch and join him on trips. By May 1993, the group traveled to Monaco for the World Music Awards. Upon their return, the National Enquirer published a story titled "Michael's New Adopted Family," featuring photos of Jackson with the Chandlers. Biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli noted this publicity alarmed Evan Chandler, who feared his son could become a kidnapping target. Randall Sullivan reported that Evan had initially invited Jackson to stay at his home, where Jackson shared a bedroom with Jordan and his younger half-brother for five days. However, by the end of June 1993, Evan grew increasingly concerned about the relationship. Contact ended shortly after Evan gained temporary custody of Jordan in July.

In Their Own Story

On July 8, 1993, David Schwartz recorded a phone call with Evan Chandler that would become central to the defense. In it, Chandler described Jackson as "evil" and stated he had hired "the nastiest son of a bitch" lawyer, Barry Rothman, to humiliate him. Chandler declared, "Once I make that phone call... Michael's career will be over," adding that he was willing to go down financially to destroy Jackson. When asked how this would affect Jordan, Chandler replied, "It's irrelevant to me." Just days later, on July 12, while staying with his mother, Jordan told private detective Anthony Pellicano that he had not been molested and described the only physical contact as Jackson lifting his shirt to show blotchy skin. On August 2, during a dental extraction where Jordan was sedated, Chandler asked if Jackson had touched his penis; Jordan said yes. Consequently, Chandler demanded $20 million from Jackson, threatening criminal court. Jackson's team countered with $1 million, which was declined. Chandler then requested $15 million. Jackson refused and lowered the offer to $350,000, which was also rejected.

Reader's Guide

The investigation intensified on August 18, 1993, when the Los Angeles Police Department's Sexually Exploited Child Unit opened a criminal case. Initially, June Chandler-Schwartz told police she did not believe Jackson had molested her son, but her position wavered days later. On August 21, investigators executed a search warrant for Neverland Ranch. They questioned four boys identified by the accuser, including actor Macaulay Culkin; all denied any inappropriate behavior. Chauffeur Gary Hearne testified he drove Jackson to Jordan's house at night for about 30 days. As the second leg of the Dangerous World Tour began in Bangkok on August 24, news broke globally. Jackson canceled the remainder of the tour citing health problems. His sister La Toya Jackson spoke out against him but later withdrew the accusation, claiming she had been forced to do so by her husband. In September 1993, the Chandlers filed a lawsuit. A financial settlement was reached in January 1994, which Jackson's team stressed was not an admission of guilt. The criminal investigation closed in September 1994 after the Chandlers declined to cooperate, leaving the case without its main witness.

Did You Know?

• In July 1993, Evan Chandler recorded a phone call where he stated, "It's irrelevant to me" regarding the impact of his actions on his son Jordan.
• During a sedated dental extraction in August 1993, Jordan Chandler told his father that Michael Jackson had touched his penis.
• The criminal investigation effectively ended in September 1994 when the Chandlers declined to cooperate, but the case was not formally closed until later.
• Michael Jackson canceled the remainder of his Dangerous World Tour in November 1993, citing health problems arising from the scandal, though the tour had continued for several months after the allegations became public i
• In the recorded July 8 call, Evan Chandler claimed he hired "the nastiest son of a bitch" lawyer to ensure Michael Jackson would not sell one more record.

Origins of the Controversy

In May 1992, Michael Jackson's car broke down in Los Angeles and was towed to Rent-a-Wreck. The owner, David Schwartz, called his wife June Chandler-Schwartz, who brought her twelve-year-old son Jordan. Jordan was already a devoted fan who had briefly met Jackson as a young child. They quickly became friends. Jackson invited Jordan, June, and Jordan's stepsister Lily to spend weekends at Neverland Ranch and accompany him on trips. In May 1993, they traveled to Monaco for the World Music Awards. Afterward, the National Enquirer published a story titled "Michael's New Adopted Family." Biographer J. Randy Taraborrelli noted this alarmed Evan Chandler, who feared the attention could make his son a target for kidnappers. Randall Sullivan reported that Evan initially invited Jackson to stay at his home, where they shared a bedroom with Jordan and his half-brother. By the end of June 1993, Evan became increasingly concerned. Contact ended in July when Evan gained temporary custody.

Escalation and Financial Motives

On July 8, 1993, David Schwartz recorded a phone call with Evan Chandler. In it, Chandler described Jackson as "evil" and stated he hired lawyer Barry Rothman to humiliate him, saying, "Once I make that phone call... Michael's career will be over." When asked about the effect on Jordan, Chandler replied, "It's irrelevant to me," noting he was willing to spend money to get information. On July 12, while staying with his mother, Jordan told private detective Anthony Pellicano he had not been molested and that his father was financially motivated. On July 15, psychiatrist Mathis Abrams wrote to Rothman stating there was "reasonable suspicion" of abuse without having met the parties involved. In early August, Chandler oversaw a dental extraction; while Jordan was sedated, Chandler asked if Jackson had touched his penis, and Jordan said yes. Chandler then demanded $20 million from Jackson, threatening criminal court. Jackson's team countered with $1 million, which was declined. Chandler requested $15 million. Jackson refused and lowered the offer to $350,000, which was also refused.

The Criminal Investigation and Settlement

On August 17, Jordan told psychiatrist Mathis Abrams that Jackson had sexually abused him for months. On August 18, the Los Angeles Police Department began a criminal investigation. June Chandler-Schwartz initially told police she did not believe Jackson had molested her son but later changed her position. A search warrant was issued for Neverland Ranch on August 21. Investigators questioned four boys identified by the accuser, including Macaulay Culkin; all denied inappropriate behavior. Gary Hearne testified he drove Jackson to Jordan's house at night for about 30 days. On August 24, news of the allegations broke while the second leg of the Dangerous World Tour was beginning in Bangkok. Jackson canceled the remainder of the tour citing health problems. His sister La Toya Jackson spoke out against him but later withdrew the accusation, claiming she had been forced to make it by her husband. In September 1993, the Chandlers filed a lawsuit. They reached a financial settlement in January 1994; Jackson's team stressed this was not an admission of guilt. The investigation closed in September 1994 after the Chandlers declined to cooperate.

Enduring Consequences and Legacy

The allegations damaged Jackson's public image, health, and commercial standing. Several endorsement deals were canceled, including his decade-long Pepsi endorsement. Further allegations led to the People v. Jackson trial in 2005, in which Jackson was acquitted.