Michael Jackson's legal tussle with Marc Schaffel ended Friday, with Santa Monica jurors awarding Schaffel $900K and Jackson $200K.
Jurors were not impressed with either party, and said that they overlooked unappealing qualities of both parties to rule on the merits of the various financial claims.
Jury foreman Roy Shimogaki, asked if the decision to award both parties money showed Jackson and Schaffel were credible, said:
"I wouldn't go that far.
The plaintiff was not the most upstanding character, but neither was the defendant."
Showbusiness attracts such unpleasant characters.
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Friday, July 14, 2006
Jury Deliberates
Michael Jackson's legal tussle with Marc Schaffel, over an alleged debt owed to Schaffel of $1.4M, has now been placed in the hands of the jury.
The closing arguments concluded yesterday. Schaffel had originally claimed $3.8M. However, following the usual wheeling and dealing in such cases this has been reduced to $1.4M.
The closing arguments concluded yesterday. Schaffel had originally claimed $3.8M. However, following the usual wheeling and dealing in such cases this has been reduced to $1.4M.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Another Day Another Trial
In Michael Jackson's weird and whacky world, no day is complete without there being a trial or legal matter to worry about.
Debbie Rowe, Jackson's ex wife, is suing Jackson claiming that he has failed to pay her what he promised when the two divorced in 1999.
The lawsuit was filed July 3 in Los Angeles Superior Court. In it Rowe seeks an immediate payment of $US195K for attorney fees and $US50K for living expenses, so that she can continue pursuing her child-custody case against him.
The next court hearing on the matter is booked for July 26.
It never rains, but it pours!
Debbie Rowe, Jackson's ex wife, is suing Jackson claiming that he has failed to pay her what he promised when the two divorced in 1999.
The lawsuit was filed July 3 in Los Angeles Superior Court. In it Rowe seeks an immediate payment of $US195K for attorney fees and $US50K for living expenses, so that she can continue pursuing her child-custody case against him.
The next court hearing on the matter is booked for July 26.
It never rains, but it pours!
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Defence Alleges Deception
The defence in the current Michael Jackson trial, in which he is being sued by former associate Marc Schaffel for alleged non payment of fees, has leveled a counter allegation that Schaffel was trying to enrich himself.
They called accountant Jan Goren to the stand, who said that he was able to trace most of the complicated transactions in a ledger kept by Schaffel. However, he noted that some of the explanations provided by Schaffel were inaccurate.
Jackson's lawyer, Thomas Mundell, noted that there were a lack of receipts. Goren said that a $500K transaction that Schaffel claimed was a loan to Jackson, was not a loan at all.
Schaffel had testified that Jackson was in New York on September 11 2001. He claimed that Jackson called to ask for $500K, in case he needed to go into hiding with his family, and then stopped at Schaffel's home to pick up the money. Jackson has denied the story.
Goren said Schaffel did withdraw that amount from a checking account for Neverland Valley Entertainment Co., the business he was in with Jackson, but then deposited the same amount into his personal money market account.
Mundell asked Goren if he identified "any 'cash to MJ' transactions that were not bona fide."
"Yes," said the accountant, "numerous ones."
Schaffel's attorney, Howard King, has promised to rebut the claims, and said it would become clear that Schaffel is not seeking reimbursement for any of the alleged loans which are being challenged as deceptive.
Mundell said he was introducing the details to show "a pattern of false claims of loss" by Schaffel.
Quote:
"We want the jury to look at the pattern of deceit".
Goren testified that Schaffel is probably owed $471K.
The defence contends that given the number of deceptive transactions by Schaffel, he is owed nothing.
The trial continues.
They called accountant Jan Goren to the stand, who said that he was able to trace most of the complicated transactions in a ledger kept by Schaffel. However, he noted that some of the explanations provided by Schaffel were inaccurate.
Jackson's lawyer, Thomas Mundell, noted that there were a lack of receipts. Goren said that a $500K transaction that Schaffel claimed was a loan to Jackson, was not a loan at all.
Schaffel had testified that Jackson was in New York on September 11 2001. He claimed that Jackson called to ask for $500K, in case he needed to go into hiding with his family, and then stopped at Schaffel's home to pick up the money. Jackson has denied the story.
Goren said Schaffel did withdraw that amount from a checking account for Neverland Valley Entertainment Co., the business he was in with Jackson, but then deposited the same amount into his personal money market account.
Mundell asked Goren if he identified "any 'cash to MJ' transactions that were not bona fide."
"Yes," said the accountant, "numerous ones."
Schaffel's attorney, Howard King, has promised to rebut the claims, and said it would become clear that Schaffel is not seeking reimbursement for any of the alleged loans which are being challenged as deceptive.
Mundell said he was introducing the details to show "a pattern of false claims of loss" by Schaffel.
Quote:
"We want the jury to look at the pattern of deceit".
Goren testified that Schaffel is probably owed $471K.
The defence contends that given the number of deceptive transactions by Schaffel, he is owed nothing.
The trial continues.
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