Jackson Family

Former "America's Best Dance Crew" judge Shane Sparks -- a convicted statutory rapist -- has Wade Robson's back ... telling TMZ, he believes Michael Jackson molested the choreographer.

TMZ broke the story ... Wade has filed a claim with the MJ Estate, alleging the King of Pop molested him for 7 years, from the time he was 7 until he turned 14.

Shane tells TMZ, "I've been knowing Wade forever. Because of the man he is, I do believe him. I don't think he would lie about this because this could hurt him ... He don’t need the publicity or the money. I think this is something that has been on his mind and he had to get it off."

Shane tells us, a big clue emerged soon after he met Wade, who was not much older than 7 at the time.

According to Shane, Wade's tiny apartment was filled with ridiculously expensive electronics -- mixing boards, beat machines, video games, and other "rich kid" toys ... all of which were gifts from Michael.

Shane says Wade was so tight with MJ, he was allowed to host birthday parties at Neverland Ranch without Michael present -- and the only room that was off limits was Michael's bedroom.

was singing Michael Jackson’s praises as recently as July 30, 2011 … talking about preserving MJ’s legacy and “representing his essence” … just 8 months before he claims a nervous breakdown sent memories of sexual abuse flooding back.

Robson rhapsodizes about MJ and the influence he had on his life ... telling the reporter from Rhythm Addict TV that he felt a lot of pressure choreographing the MJ Cirque du Soleil show.

Ray J is coming to Michael Jackson's defense ... telling TMZ he used to hang out with MJ all the time back when he was a kid, but swears the singer NEVER acted inappropriately toward him.

The singer also says he knows Wade Robson -- the famous dance choreographer who recently claimed MJ sexually abused him as a child.

Michael Jackson's longtime friend Lionel Richie is scoffing at the new molestation claim against the King of Pop ... telling TMZ, Wade Robson's abuse allegations are "bogus."

As we first reported, Robson -- a famous choreographer -- filed a creditor's claim against Michael's estate this week claiming the singer sexually abused him as a child.

Wade's lawyer told TMZ ... as far as he's concerned MJ was a "monster" who sexually abused Wade for seven years ... and then threatened Wade if he ever went public.

Sources close to Wade told us, 30-year-old Wade's repressed memories came flooding back following a nervous breakdown last year.

Wade Robson -- the famous choreographer who now claims Michael Jackson molested him for 7 years -- had a complete nervous breakdown in March, 2012 ... and that opened Pandora's box ... sources close to the Robson family tell TMZ.

Multiple sources tell us ... Robson had anxiety that was building during most of 2011 ... and it exploded in March, 2012. He had a debilitating nervous breakdown that pushed him into complete seclusion and torpedoed his career.

We're told after the breakdown, Robson was unable to work -- to fulfill his commitments. He had a number of contracts that he ended up breaching, including his promise to write 3 songs. Our sources say he lost "a ton of money" and has earned almost nothing since.

Sources tell us after the breakdown, Robson went to a psychotherapist for several weeks ... and that's all it took for the floodgates to open. Robson then told his family Michael Jackson had molested him from ages 7 to 14.

Our sources say shortly after Robson revealed his secret ... he told friends and family he planned to file a lawsuit against the MJ Estate.

As for his motivation ... Robson family sources tell TMZ ... although he's not making any money, he has "substantial savings."

Wade Robson's new sexual abuse claim against Michael Jackson is just plain "whack" ... this according to Omarion, who tells TMZ he thinks Wade might be lying to make a quick buck.

The R&B superstar was out at Supperclub in Hollywood last night, when we broke the news to the singer about Wade's new allegation -- that MJ sexually abused him as a child.

Omarion says Robson -- a hugely successful dance choreographer -- might simply be looking for a quick payday. O then goes on to defend MJ.

Wade Robson is lying through his teeth by now claiming Michael Jackson molested him when he was a child ... so says Howard Weitzman, the lawyer for the MJ Estate.

Weitzman tells TMZ ... "Mr. Robson's claim is outrageous and pathetic. This is a young man who has testified at least twice under oath over the past 20 years and said in numerous interviews that Michael Jackson never did anything inappropriate to him or with him."

Weitzman goes on ... "Now, nearly 4 years after Michael has passed, this sad and less than credible claim has been made."

Sources connected with the case tell TMZ ... Robson is claiming he suffered from "repressed memory" and that's why he didn't file his creditor's claim on time. TMZ broke the story ... Robson filed legal docs against the MJ Estate, claiming Michael molested him when he was a child. Robson was a frequent guest at the Neverland Ranch between the ages of 7 and 14.

Michael Jackson has been posthumously accused of molesting a now-famous choreographer who spent lots of time with the singer at the Neverland Ranch ... TMZ has learned.

TMZ has obtained legal docs ... filed by Wade Robson ... in which he's asking for money from the Michael Jackson Estate for childhood sexual abuse.

Wade even performed to a Michael Jackson song on "Star Search" when he was 8 years old.

In 2005, Wade testified in MJ's molestation trial and DENIED Michael ever molested him.

Wade's lawyer filed legal docs May 1 asking the judge in the Michael Jackson Estate case to allow him to file a late creditor's claim against the Estate. In the documents, Wade's lawyer says he submitted a never-before filed complaint "for childhood sexual abuse."

Wade's lawyer has filed the actual complaint under seal -- which means it's not available to the public. Sources tell TMZ ... the complaint specifically outlines the alleged abuse at the hands of Michael Jackson.

Wade's lawyer also mentions a psychiatrist who treated Wade -- the doctor is a leader in the field of child psychology.

Interestingly ... in the 2005 molestation trial, Jackson's former housekeeper, Blanca Francia, testified she witnessed Jackson in the shower with Wade when the boy was 8 or 9 years old.

The man who led Michael Jackson's defense in the 2005 molestation trial says Wade Robson is not telling the truth by now claiming the singer molested him ... and says such a belated claim "must be just about money," TMZ has learned.

Attorney Tom Mesereau told TMZ ... Wade Robson led off his defense in the famous molestation trial because prosecutors had claimed the famous choreographer had been molested by Jackson as a child.

Mesereau says Robson was strong and unwavering in his testimony -- adamant that Jackson never touched him. Tom says Robson never cracked during intense cross-examination.

Mesereau tells us, "Michael never touched Robson inappropriately in any way."

And Mesereau scoffs at any notion that Robson suffered from repressed memory and is only coming forward now.

During the hearing, Robson said that while he slept in the same bed with Michael as a child ... and that Michael would often kiss him on the cheek ... MJ never touched him in a sexual manner, ever.

Paris Jackson spent most of Saturday with her biological mother Debbie Rowe -- looking at horses, playing with her hair ... real mother/daughter stuff -- and what's particularly interesting ... they were hanging the same day as grandma Katherine Jackson's birthday.

Paris and Debbie were way out in Palmdale, CA where Debbie lives -- so if Paris saw Katherine at all yesterday ... it wasn't for long.

Prince Jackson is stepping up his game -- after first being seen with his new Kuwaiti princess girlfriend out for a daytime bowling date, he then graduated to a Hollywood dinner date ... and now he's graduated to the Rolling Stones concert last night at Staples Center.

Michael Jackson's famous daughter/plaintiff, Paris Jackson, spent time with her biological mom Debbie Rowe, on the eve of what promises to be a very difficult wrongful death trial.

As we first reported ... Paris has bonded with Debbie after years of separation. The 2 are spending a lot of time together, and we're told both genuinely want the mother-daughter relationship they never had while Michael was alive.

Speaking of Michael, the family's wrongful death trial kicks off today. Katherine Jackson and MJ's 3 kids are suing AEG Live, claiming the company was negligent in hiring and supervising Dr. Conrad Murray -- who killed the singer with a massive overdose of Propofol.

MJ's family will have an extremely difficult time winning this case, for the following reasons:

-- MJ had a doctor-patient relationship with Murray before AEG came into the picture. Jackson first hired Murray to treat his kids, and then used him for personal issues. Murray had given Jackson Propofol before AEG was involved.

-- MJ was a drug addict who had doctor-shopped for Propofol for well over a decade. He knew the drug so well, he often wanted to help in the administration of the drug.

-- MJ was secretive about his relationship with Murray, never telling anyone from AEG or the "This Is It" honchos that Murray was fueling him with Propofol almost every night for 2 months.

-- AEG execs are not doctors, and arguably they're in no position to tell a doctor what to do.

Dr. Conrad Murray is once again speaking out from jail (but not singing this time) -- still proclaiming his innocence in the death of Michael Jackson ... and says he has hopes of practicing medicine again some day.

Murray called in to the "Today" show this morning live from jail and said he is sorry that Jackson died, but he still maintains he is in no way responsible for his death. Murray is sticking to his story ... that Jackson administered the fatal dose of propofol himself.

The good doctor also said he DIDN'T file his appeal to shorten his prison sentence, but rather so that he can one day restore his medical license and see patients again.

Michael Jackson is rolling in his grave -- because brother Jermaine Jackson is now encouraging MJ's daughter to spend time with her birth mom.

MJ famously never wanted his kids Prince and Paris to have a relationship with their biological mother Debbie Rowe -- cutting off all contact between Debbie and the children after their divorce in 1999. Debbie gave away all custody rights in 2001.

But Jermaine has reversed Michael's policy -- telling TMZ, it's great that Paris is getting to know her mom.

Michael Jackson's 16-year-old son Prince Jackson is clearly into girls ... but NOT the grown woman who goes by "Mom" -- aka Debbie Rowe.

Sources with direct knowledge of the situation tell TMZ ... although Prince's sister has developed what we're told is "an intense bond" with the woman who gave birth to her ... Prince has no curiosity or desire to develop a relationship with Rowe ... at least for now.

We're told it's not that he has beef with Rowe ... it's that establishing a relationship with her is not on his radar. His 15-year-old sister Paris, on the other hand, now has a passion for nurturing a relationship with Rowe, and the 2 have spent a good deal of time together in the last few months.

Our sources say there's no conflict between Paris and Prince ... they just have different priorities.

Prince Jackson stepped up his royal pimp game -- taking his Kuwaiti princess girlfriend out for a fancy Hollywood dinner ... and all signs point to the princess being impressed.

Michael Jackson's 16-year-old son and Remi Alfalah had dinner Friday night at Madeo -- some of the best Italian grub in L.A. -- and judging by the grin on her face ... she gave the date 2 royal thumbs up.

A couple weeks ago Prince and Remi were spotted on another date -- but that was just daytime bowling.

The jump to a high-priced dinner is a clear sign Prince is making, y'know ... progress.