Michael Jackson Was 'Victim of Plot to Bring Him Down' Claims Documentary-Maker
Explosive new claims have emerged suggesting Michael Jackson was the victim of a calculated plot to bring him down, according to a documentary-maker who was part of the singer's inner circle. Christian Robinson, who worked closely with Jackson during the turbulent period following Martin Bashir's controversial ITV documentary, alleges that Gavin Arvizo's mother Janet was "the ultimate opportunist" who planned to entrap the King of Pop.
Never-Before-Seen Footage Revealed
The claims form part of a new Channel 4 documentary series, Michael Jackson: The Trial, which begins airing this week. The programme features never-before-seen footage of the Arvizo family filmed in 2003 as part of what Robinson describes as a "rebuttal video" intended to counter the damaging allegations made in Bashir's documentary.
Robinson, who was hired by Jackson in 2000 when he was just 20 years old and spent most of his time at the star's Neverland home, says the footage raises troubling questions that have haunted him for decades. Speaking exclusively about his experiences, Robinson maintains that Janet Arvizo had "bad intentions" and was "the instigator for the ultimate downfall" of the pop icon.
Alarm Bells During Filming
Robinson describes how alarm bells began ringing during the filming of the rebuttal video when Janet Arvizo refused to sign release forms and appeared constantly on her phone. "I assume she was on the phone to lawyers," Robinson alleges. "And I pretty quickly understood there was money involved. She was the ultimate opportunist and used to take advantage of our handler team."
The documentary-maker paints a picture of a family who saw an opportunity to access what he describes as "the billion-dollar world" of Michael Jackson. "People can see the door open to the billion-dollar world and they quickly want as much as they can take," he claims in the documentary.
Sincere Friendship or Calculated Plot?
In the footage, Gavin Arvizo is seen describing Jackson as "a loving, kind, humble man" who treated him like a father. Robinson says he believed Gavin to be sincere at the time, noting the genuine friendship that appeared to exist between the teenager and the singer. Jackson was funding cancer treatment for Gavin, who survived his illness, and Robinson observes that "Gavin knew he was the luckiest kid in the world that had run into Michael Jackson."
However, Robinson expresses deep concerns about Janet Arvizo's behaviour, describing her performance during filming as "over the top" and not ringing true. "I had a strong feeling that I didn't trust Janet," he says. "I am absolutely worried that this is the type of person who might take money to say Michael Jackson molested my kid, because there's a lot of money in that."
The Trial and Changing Stories
Gavin Arvizo later told police he had been abused at age 13, leading to Jackson being charged with child molestation. In the 2005 trial, Jackson was acquitted of all 10 charges of child abuse and false imprisonment, having faced up to 21 years in prison if found guilty.
Robinson offers theories about why Gavin changed his story, suggesting that Jackson's introduction to the Nation of Islam, which took over security at Neverland and began running some of his business affairs, created a rift. "They tore him apart from that family and from his team," Robinson claims. "I think the family probably understood pretty quickly that things were over, so we can either just live with it being over, or we can take advantage of the situation."
Conflicting Testimonies and Legal Battles
The four-part documentary series presents gripping testimony from multiple perspectives. While Robinson maintains he saw no evidence of impropriety during his time with Jackson, the series also features Jackson's personal maid and detectives who claim the case against the singer was water-tight.
Robinson gave evidence for the defence during the trial, and the series explores how Janet Arvizo's testimony was challenged in court. The defence accused her of being behind a scheme to obtain millions of dollars from Jackson and claimed she had coached her children to fabricate accusations of sexual abuse.
Janet Arvizo's credibility was further undermined when it emerged she had lied under oath in a civil suit against department store J.C. Penney, receiving a $152,000 payout but then lying about the settlement to receive welfare benefits. She later pleaded no contest to welfare fraud in a separate case.
Jackson's Vulnerable State
Robinson describes Jackson as being in a vulnerable state when the Arvizo family came into his life, claiming the singer was a drug addict who appeared medicated "more than half the time." "He seemed medicated more than half the time," Robinson recalls. "And that would always dictate if we were going to have a great day or not. Who wants to film someone who's medicated and slightly incapacitated?"
Unwavering Belief in Jackson's Innocence
Despite the continual allegations about child abuse that dogged Jackson until his death in 2009 at age 50, Robinson insists he believes the singer was innocent. "Nothing has changed with me," he says. "I think that as I've become more of an adult and now I'm a father of a couple kids, I'm much more critical of people who empower substance abuse, and that train wreck continued until his death."
Robinson adds: "I still feel pretty good in my heart that Michael Jackson was a really kind man and a good man at his core. I was only with Michael Jackson for two years. I don't know what happened those years before. I don't know what happened those years after and again, I can only speak about my experience and my relationship with the man."
The documentary-maker concludes with a reflection on justice and accountability: "If Michael Jackson was ever guilty of committing horrific acts, I'm a God-fearing man, and I hope he'll have to answer to that."
Michael Jackson: The Trial airs at 9pm on February 4 and 5 on Channel 4.
