Jackson estate sues HBO over doco

the airing of Leaving Neverland,’’ HBO said. ‘‘This will allow everyone the opportunity to assess the film and the claims in it for themselves.’’

The network didn’t respond to the breach-of-contract allegations.

The lawsuit states in its opening sentence that ‘‘Michael Jackson is innocent. Period,’’ and goes on to recount the criminal investigation and 2005 trial in which Jackson was acquitted, highlighting the conflicting statements through the years of Robson and Safechuck, who are described as ‘‘admitted perjurers’’ in the suit. Both men told authorities that Jackson did not molest them, later claiming they were abused in lawsuits filed after the singer’s death and in graphic detail in Leaving Neverland.

It also reiterates the estate’s position that it was irresponsible for the film not to include any defence of Jackson from those who knew him or further fact checks of the men.

HBO responded with a statement saying its plans to air Leaving Neverland remain unchanged.

‘‘Dan Reed is an award-winning filmmaker who has carefully documented these survivors’ accounts,’’ the network’s statement said. ‘‘People should reserve judgment until they see the film.’’

Reed is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit.

‘‘Michael is an easy target because he is not here to defend himself, and the law does not protect the deceased from defamation, no matter how extreme the lies are,’’ the lawsuit states. ‘‘Michael may not have lived his life according to society’s norms, but genius and eccentricity are not crimes.’’ – AP

AP From left, Wade Robson, director Dan Reed and James Safechuck pose for a portrait to promote the film Leaving Neverland at the Salesforce Music Lodge during the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, in January.

AP Pop icon Michael Jackson, whose estate has filed a suit against HBO over a documentary about two men who accuse the late pop superstar of molesting them when they were boys.