Jackson's Estate Sued For $24M

Michael Jonzu, a music producer, is claiming that the Jackson estate owes him for his involvement on the late Michael Jackson's posthumously released track This is It, and is suing both Jackson's estate and the track's co-writer, Paul Anka.

How much does he want?

$24M!

Restitution

Dr Conrad Murray has launched an appeal against the the claim made by Michael Jackson's family for $100M in restitution against him.

Dr Murray's lawyer, Michael Falangan, claims that the amount of restitution ought to be restricted, given that Jackson was in part responsible for his own death through a self-administration of Propofol.

The judge is considering the amount.

Chancers

A group of 100 Michael Jackson fans based in France have hired a lawyer, Emmanuel Ludot, to sue Conrad Murray (who is currently serving time for the involuntary manslaughter of Jackson)  for compensation for the "emotional damage" caused by Conrad Murray.

Ludot told the Afp:

"It's similar to losing a childhood friend in a traffic accident. Because this death affects you, you have the possibility to file a suit and seek compensation."

The case will be heard in Orleans, France on April 11 2012.

Will the money, if they win the case, bring Jackson back or assuage their alleged "grief"?

Yet Another Lawsuit

The estate of the late Michael Jackson has filed a law suit in Los Angeles against, Howard Mann, a business partner of Katherine Jackson.

The suit alleges that memorabilia, created with her permission, and other commercial ventures constituted "wholesale misappropriation" of Michael Jackson's intellectual property.

The suit accuses Mann of "arrogant disregard" for the estate's rights and asks a judge to stop his company, Vintage Pop Media, from further use of Jackson's name, image and music.

The suit does not name Katherine Jackson.

Refiled

The late Michael Jackson's father, Joe Jackson, has refiled a wrongful death lawsuit against Dr Conrad Murray who is charged over his son's death.

Joe Jackson has also added the Las Vegas pharmacy that sold Dr Murray the anaesthetic blamed for the death to the law suit.

Judge Nixes Joe's Death Suit

US District Judge John F. Walter has refused to hear the wrongful death lawsuit filed by Michael Jackson's father (Joe), and noted that Joe would not be likely to collect tens of millions of dollars in damages.

The case will be refiled in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Katherine Jackson Sues AEG

The late Michael Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson, is suing AEG Live group (the organisers of the London concert that Jackson was preparing for).

Mrs Jackson accuses AEG of negligence, breach of contract and fraud, and of putting the prospect of "massive profits" ahead of her son's health and safety.

As to whether this, or any of the other lawsuits etc flying around, actually gets anywhere who knows?

However, one thing is for sure, the legal profession is making a very nice living out of the late Michael Jackson and his legacy.

$300M Lawsuit Dismissed

US District Judge Harold Baer Jr. has dismissed a $300M lawsuit by AllGood Entertainment Inc, a concert promoter, against the late Michael Jackson over a failed reunion concert.

Judge Baer cited a lack of evidence that the Jackson or his family were under a binding agreement to perform at a reunion concert.

AllGood Entertainment Inc originally sued Jackson for $40M on June 10 2009, before Jackson died, they then later filed a creditor's claim with Jackson's estate, claiming the potential value of the lawsuit was at least $300M.

Inflation or what?

Katherine Jackson Sued

Katherine Jackson (the late Michael Jackson's mother) is reportedly being sued for $13M by The Segye Times (a South Korean newspaper), for the alleged costs of a cancelled tour.

The Segye Times has filed papers with Michael Jackson's estate, informing the court it has a judgement dating back to 1994 against Mrs Jackson for $4M.

The newspaper alleges it advanced Mrs Jackson, husband Joe and son Jermaine $5.5M for a series of Jackson family concerts which never took place. The interest element makes the total $13M.

Coincidentally Katherine's the late son Michael is now "in the money", reportedly earning $1BN since he died.

Amazing how many debts are "remembered" when there is a "sniff" of money in the air.

Joe Jackson Sues Conrad Murray

Joe Jackson has told the media that he intends to bring a case against Dr Conrad Murray (the late Michael Jackson's doctor) for wrongful death.

Joe Jackson's legal action will be be a civil case, the purpose of which would be to win monetary damages against Dr Murray.

Another Day, Another Law Suit

It is reported that Venable LLP, a US law firm, is suing Michael Jackson's estate for $471K in relation to alleged unpaid fees for legal advice on a "broad spectrum of matters" from September 2006 to June 2009.

Rowe Wins Judgement

Debbie Rowe, Michael Jackson's ex wife, has been awarded $27K against Rebecca White who claimed in interviews after Jackson's death that Rowe was only interested in getting money from Jackson's family and wasn't interested in gaining custody of her two children.

Rowe sued White (originally for $500K), White never answered the complaint.

Taxpayer Sues Jackson Estate

Jose F Vallejos, an LA taxpayer, is suing Michael Jackson's estate for $3.3M.

Mr Vallejos claims that this represents the money spent by the city of Los Angeles for costs including police overtime and sanitation, when a memorial was held for Jackson at the Staples Center.

Mr Vallejos claims that Jackson's estate benefited from the use of public resources that amounted to an illegal gift of public funds.

His claim states that the money should be returned to the city treasury.

His claim ignores the fact that local hotels etc did well out of the people who visited from out of town to attend the event; ie the event generated revenue for the city.

Rowe Sues White

Debbie Rowe is suing Rebecca White for comments made during a TV interview that Rowe (Michael Jackson's ex wife) was only interested in getting money from Jackson's family, and wasn't interested in gaining custody of her two children.

Rowe's defamation and invasion-of-privacy lawsuit seeks to recoup any money that White may have been paid for the interview, estimated by Rowe's attorneys at being $100K.

The attorneys also seek $100K for emotional distress, $45K for medical and attorney's fees and $245K in punitive damages.

A hearing on Rowe's petition is scheduled for November.

Rowe Sues White

Michael Jackson's ex-wife, Debbie Rowe, has sued Rebecca White over reports claiming she was willing to give up parental rights to her children for money.

Ms Rowe has accused White of defamation, invasion of privacy and infliction of emotional distress in the legal action filed in Los Angeles.

The Jackson legacy will generate income for the legal profession for many years to come.

The Vultures Now Circle

It should come as no surprise to anyone, given the complexity of Michael Jackson's life, that there are many "loose ends" to tie up now that he has died a.o.:

- What caused his death?

- Why did the police need to track down Jackson's doctor (Dr Conrad Murray), and impound the doctor's car?

- Who will have custody of his children?

- Did he leave a will?

- What happens to his assets, if indeed there are any assets left after his debts have been deducted?

- Will those who were suing him in life, continue their actions and sue his estate?

- Will everyone who has bought a ticket for Jackson's O2 concerts receive a refund, it is not at all certain that they will? etc.

The vultures are now circling what remains of his estate, and will do their best to pick the carcass of that estate clean.

Bain Dishes The Dirt

Papers provided by Raymone Bain, supporting her £33M case against Michael Jackson, claim that he spent nearly £4M on statues of Peter Pan and children playing games together despite being heavily in debt.

Quite how that supports her claim for £33M is unclear at this stage.

Another Day, Another Lawsuit

As predicted yesterday on this site, the prospect of Michael Jackson actually earning some money has brought people out of the woodwork sniffing for a way to make money out of him.

Jackson now faces his third lawsuit this month. AllGood Entertainment Inc, an American promoter, has challenged the legality of Jackson's London O2 dates and is threatening to sue him for breach of contract.

AllGood allege that Jackson is barred from performing concerts before a Jackson family reunion performance in July 2010.

The alleged contract claims that Jackson will appear alongside Janet Jackson and the Jackson Five, at a concert in Texas on 3 July 2010. AllGood claim that Jackson agreed not to play any other concerts before the Jackson Five comeback.

Doubtless this all grist to the mill of Jackson's lawyers. However, it can hardly be helpful to his pre stage nerves.

Et Tu Bain?

One recurrent feature of Michael Jackson's regular interaction with the legal system is the fact that cases are often brought against him by one time "friends" and associates, who feel that the "relationship" that they once "believed" was so "special" has ended.

True to form Jackson's one time publicist, Raymone Bain, has brought a claim against Jackson for $44M for alleged breach of contract.

Bain claims that she brings the suit with "deep regret", and that she "greatly admired and respected" Jackson.

However, $44M is $44M, she is quoted as saying:

"Unfortunately, Mr Jackson has elected not to honour the financial obligations of our contractual relationship, despite my numerous attempts to amicably resolve this matter. I am sincerely disappointed in Mr Jackson's failure to honour his obligations."

Earlier this week Ola Ray, who played Jackson's date in the 1984 video Thriller, announced she was suing Jackson for unpaid royalties.

I suspect Jackson will find that others will come out of the woodwork for a bite of the cherry, as they sniff that there is money to be made from his O2 appearances later this year.

Jackson Sued Again!

Michael Jackson's litigation cases seem to be imitating buses, ie they are all turning up at the same time.

Cameroonian singer Manu Dibango filed a lawsuit against Jackson and R'n'B diva Rihanna at a Paris court on Tuesday, claiming that they stole a hook from one of his songs.

He is seeking 500,000 euros in damages.

Judges will decide on February 17 whether to hear the case.