Jackson Accused of Fraud

Yet another day, and yet another legal case for Michael Jackson and his ever changing team of lawyers to worry about.

This one relates to a case filed by Jackson against a concert promoter, Marcel Avram, to prevent arbitration over a disputed 1999 concert contract.

This dates back to a case in 2002, when Jackson testified in a $21M lawsuit brought by Avram. Avram accused Jackson of backing out of two concerts on New Year's Eve 1999.

There eventually was a settlement, in which Jackson paid $6.5M. Jackson contends that this was a full and final settlement.

However, Avram is seeking arbitration over the amount. Avram's lawyer, Louis R. Miller, said that Avram was entitled to $9.2M that was spent promoting a benefit concert in South Korea.

Miller also claims that Jackson committed fraud, by not disclosing to Avram that Sony Music Entertainment owned the rights to footage of the concert.

Jackson's lawyer, Thomas C. Mundell, told Superior Court Judge Soussan G. Bruguera on Tuesday:

"Nobody pays $6.5M and doesn't get a full release from future claims."

The judge must now rule.