Michael Jackson's Trials

Michael Jackson's Trials

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The Ongoing Trials of The Late Michael Jackson

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Lawyer Found in Contempt

David DeToffol, a who had acted for Universal Express Inc., was lawyer was found in contempt of court for his handling of the Michael Jackson memorabilia.

Clark County District Judge Elizabeth Gonzales said that DeToffol violated her court order barring his client, Universal Express Inc., from selling or giving away some of Jackson's personal items.

The memorabilia, which includes a Three Stooges collection and personal writings, have yet to be returned to Jackson but are being held in a "secure location" at the courthouse.

Jackson has been trying to get 25 pieces of memorabilia returned to him since May, when he and Universal reached an agreement to return the items to him.

Universal had paid $5M for the collection from a New Jersey businessman, who claimed the property after the Jackson's failed to pay a storage unit bill.

On June 1, a day after the auction at the Hard Rock Hotel, Universal threatened to sue Guernsey's, the company handling the auction, if it didn't give the items back to Universal.

Gonzalez said that action violated her order prohibiting Universal from "selling, giving, conveying or transferring by any means" the 25 items.

Guernsey's, later turned the items over to the court.

DeToffol testified Monday that he didn't intend to violate the court order, but Gonzales, found otherwise.

She ruled that DeToffol will have to pay Jackson's attorney's fees and a $2,500 fine.

Complicated isn't it?

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