Wade Robson, 41, and James Safechuck, 46, who claim they were repeatedly raped by the pop superstar as children in the 1980s and 90s both at his Neverland ranch and other locations, have previously sued Jackson's production companies, beginning a new effort last year.

They are now seeking to access sealed police records from Jackson's 2005 molestation trial as part of their case, which could go to trial next year. Representatives for MJJ Productions and MJJ Ventures, currently controlled by Jackson's estate since his 2009 death, argue the lawsuit is simply a "specious attempt to unseal "nude photographs of Michael Jackson's genitals and nude body" taken by police."

While specific details about the images, such as when or the contexts they were taken, remain undisclosed, law enforcement investigating sexual assault allegations routinely request descriptions of an accused's body and genitalia from alleged victims to identify distinctive marks or features to aid their probe.

A motion to quash four subpoenas was filed by Jackson's legal team in Los Angeles Superior Court on Wednesday, stating the images are sealed under a court-issued protective order.

The filings state: "Beyond the privacy invasion issues, the available record shows that the photographs [plaintiffs] now seek must remain under the strict protective order entered by the Santa Barbara Superior Court with Michael Jackson's and the Santa Barbara law enforcement's assent." They further allege Jackson "did not consent to have those photographs, which were the product of a court-ordered strip search based on a now-discredited statement that became part of a discredited criminal investigation, exploited in that fashion a second defilement after the first."

Wade and James' allegations against Michael were the focus of the 2019 HBO documentary Leaving Neverland. James alleges he was abused from 1988-1992 beginning when he was 11, while Wade claims his abuse began in 1990 when he was 8 and continued until 1996.

The documentary laid out disturbing claims of abuse, including statements that Michael told them they were in a romantic relationship with him and detailed accounts of oral and anal sex. Michael was never convicted on any allegations against him.