Michael Jackson has been ordered by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James C. Chalfant to pay $175K in overdue lawyers' fees to Ayscough & Marar, a law firm that sued Jackson in February 2006.
Jackson now owes more than $430K to Ayscough & Marar for work that they performed on his behalf not paid for. The work included obtaining court orders to delay discovery in civil cases, and keeping information from being publicly released while Jackson was being tried for child molestation.
In July Chalfant awarded Ayscough & Marar's $256K in unpaid fees. The additional $175K represents the costs incurred by Ayscough & Marar in hiring a lawyer to sue Jackson.
Ayscough & Marar have stated that, as yet, Jackson hasn't paid any of the money that he owes them. There is a 10% per annum interest charge on the overdues, therefore the longer Jackson leaves the bill unpaid the worse it will get.
Jackson attempted to countersue Ayscough & Marar in August 2006, alleging that one of the firm's lawyers threatened to expose confidential information about him to the media. The case was dismissed as it lacked merit.
Quite how long Jackson can continue to "function" without honouring his debts and commitments is difficult to predict. However, it is clear that these problems will not go away and that there will be a reckoning.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
Prince Sues King
Prince Abdulla Al-Khalifa of Bahrain is suing the "king of pop", Michael Jackson in London for $7M plus damages.
Prince Abdulla, according to Fox, claims that he as an agreement with Jackson that obligates Jackson to record two albums, write and produce a live Broadway kind of show with Jackson's music and a cast album, and to write and publish an autobiography.
Unfortunately, it appears that despite the Prince bankrolling Jackson for a year in Baharain after the child molestation trial and advancing him $7M, Jackson has not honoured his obligations and left Bahrain (seemingly for good) in June 2006.
A very silly way to behave to someone who has helped you out.
Prince Abdulla, according to Fox, claims that he as an agreement with Jackson that obligates Jackson to record two albums, write and produce a live Broadway kind of show with Jackson's music and a cast album, and to write and publish an autobiography.
Unfortunately, it appears that despite the Prince bankrolling Jackson for a year in Baharain after the child molestation trial and advancing him $7M, Jackson has not honoured his obligations and left Bahrain (seemingly for good) in June 2006.
A very silly way to behave to someone who has helped you out.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Jackson Has Lupus
Following on from recent reports that Michael Jackson's nanny, Grace Rwaramba, has lupus. Fox reports that this story is utter fantasy, and that it is Jackson himself that has the disease.
I wonder what new twist will be added to this story in the coming days?
I wonder what new twist will be added to this story in the coming days?
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Jackson Writes To Fans
Michael Jackson has written a letter to his European fanclub, in which some claim he hints that he might be releasing an album.
Quote:
"Soon, I will be sharing exciting and surprising news with you from my other efforts."
The full text of the letter can be seen here.
It is interesting to note that one of the comments posted on the forum shows that at least one person is not convinced that Jackson actually wrote the letter.
Quote:
"Soon, I will be sharing exciting and surprising news with you from my other efforts."
The full text of the letter can be seen here.
It is interesting to note that one of the comments posted on the forum shows that at least one person is not convinced that Jackson actually wrote the letter.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Spin and Counter Spin
The recent story that Michael Jackson had married his childrens' nanny, Grace Rwaramba, was vehemently disputed at the time by Jackson's spokesperson Raymone Bain.
However, as with many Jackson related stories, this has cropped up again with a new twist.
It is now reported in the New York Daily News that Grace Rwaramba is ill with lupus, and has been left to fight the disease on her own without any effective support (eg offers of help, or enquiries as to her health) from Jackson.
Rayomne Bain has been quick to deny this story as well, calling it an "hilarious rumour".
Quote:
"I can guarantee she is not very ill. I've spoken to her in the last two hours."
The National Enquirer reported that the marriage story was a PR stunt designed to shore up Jackson's image as a stable family man.
In a further twist, The New York Daily News reported that Jackson's lawyers had in fact made inquiries into Rwaramba's ability to get married (she remains legally married to her first husband, Stacey Adair).
As with all matters related to Jackson, nothing is ever quite as straightforward as it first appears.
However, as with many Jackson related stories, this has cropped up again with a new twist.
It is now reported in the New York Daily News that Grace Rwaramba is ill with lupus, and has been left to fight the disease on her own without any effective support (eg offers of help, or enquiries as to her health) from Jackson.
Rayomne Bain has been quick to deny this story as well, calling it an "hilarious rumour".
Quote:
"I can guarantee she is not very ill. I've spoken to her in the last two hours."
The National Enquirer reported that the marriage story was a PR stunt designed to shore up Jackson's image as a stable family man.
In a further twist, The New York Daily News reported that Jackson's lawyers had in fact made inquiries into Rwaramba's ability to get married (she remains legally married to her first husband, Stacey Adair).
As with all matters related to Jackson, nothing is ever quite as straightforward as it first appears.
Monday, October 08, 2007
Jackson on The X-Factor
ITV and Simon Cowell have signed up Michael Jackson to appear on the British version of X-Factor. On the assumption that all goes to plan, Jackson's first appearance will be in early December. He will be a mentor to the show's contestants.
An anonymous source is quoted in the UK newspaper, The Sun, saying:
"We've got some huge names but Michael Jackson really is a sensational signing. He is a truly global, worldwide superstar. And this will be his first TV appearance in Britain since the Martin Bashir interview. Given his background with ITV, it's even more astonishing that he agreed to do it."
The question is, will this really happen?
An anonymous source is quoted in the UK newspaper, The Sun, saying:
"We've got some huge names but Michael Jackson really is a sensational signing. He is a truly global, worldwide superstar. And this will be his first TV appearance in Britain since the Martin Bashir interview. Given his background with ITV, it's even more astonishing that he agreed to do it."
The question is, will this really happen?
Friday, September 28, 2007
Marriage Story A Hoax?
Raymone Bain, Michael Jackson's spokesperson, has issued a categorical denial to the story doing the rounds that Jackson has married his nanny.
Quote, as per E! News:
"Wide spreading reports regarding Michael Jackson being married are not true.
Documents stating otherwise are a hoax."
Great publicity for Jackson though.
Quote, as per E! News:
"Wide spreading reports regarding Michael Jackson being married are not true.
Documents stating otherwise are a hoax."
Great publicity for Jackson though.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Michael Jackson Remarries
According to the US based National Enquirer, Michael Jackson has secretly married his children's nanny, 40-year-old Grace Rwaramba in Las Vegas earlier this year.
Jackson's entourage deny the story. However, the National Enquirer has printed copies of a new real estate document, in which Jackson states he is married.
A source is quoted in the Enquirer:
"Grace… is one of his dearest friends. She is one of the few people who stood by his side through all of his problems - including the child molestation trial in 2005."
Myth or truth???
Jackson's entourage deny the story. However, the National Enquirer has printed copies of a new real estate document, in which Jackson states he is married.
A source is quoted in the Enquirer:
"Grace… is one of his dearest friends. She is one of the few people who stood by his side through all of his problems - including the child molestation trial in 2005."
Myth or truth???
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
A New Home?
It is reported that Michael Jackson has spent €20M on Luggala Estate, an historic castle and estate property in Ireland.
The estate is situated in Roundwood, County Wicklow, and was rented by Jackson for three months last year during a stay in Ireland.
As to whether this report is true or not remains to be seen. One very obvious question being, where will Jackson find the money to buy this property?
The estate is situated in Roundwood, County Wicklow, and was rented by Jackson for three months last year during a stay in Ireland.
As to whether this report is true or not remains to be seen. One very obvious question being, where will Jackson find the money to buy this property?
Monday, September 17, 2007
Jackson Comeback?
It is rumoured that Michael Jackson may be planning a comeback.
Allegedly he has been meeting music industry insiders and promoters, with a view to releasing a major new album and international concert tour to promote it late 2008 or early 2009.
It is also rumoured that his sister, Janet, and some of his brothers may also be involved.
A year is a long time in show business, and there is still the matter of the release of the charity single for the victims to Katrina to be "finalised".
Allegedly he has been meeting music industry insiders and promoters, with a view to releasing a major new album and international concert tour to promote it late 2008 or early 2009.
It is also rumoured that his sister, Janet, and some of his brothers may also be involved.
A year is a long time in show business, and there is still the matter of the release of the charity single for the victims to Katrina to be "finalised".
Thursday, September 13, 2007
You Are Not Alone
Twelve years on from Michael Jackson's release of "You are not alone", a Brussels court has ruled that the song is mainly similar to a song written by Belgian twins the Van Passels two years earlier in 1993.
All the authorial rights of the Jackson hit, written by Robert Kelly, are switched to the brothers according to the court ruling.
However, the judgement is only applicable in Belgium and acquiring the royalties will be an uphill battle (most especially as it has taken the Van Passels 12 years to get this far).
All the authorial rights of the Jackson hit, written by Robert Kelly, are switched to the brothers according to the court ruling.
However, the judgement is only applicable in Belgium and acquiring the royalties will be an uphill battle (most especially as it has taken the Van Passels 12 years to get this far).
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Song Leaked?
Mamacita a new song allegedly by Michael Jackson has reportedly been leaked on Pittsburgh's 96.1 KISS FM, a US radio station.
However, as with all matters relating to Jackson, nothing is ever quite as simple as it would first appear. Jackson's publicist, Raymone Bain, has denied that the track is Jackson's.
Quote:
"Michael Jackson has not released any new material. This appears to be a smooth criminal pulling a fast one!
However, if someone has leaked material illegally, my client's legal team will pursue the matter."
Good PR though!
However, as with all matters relating to Jackson, nothing is ever quite as simple as it would first appear. Jackson's publicist, Raymone Bain, has denied that the track is Jackson's.
Quote:
"Michael Jackson has not released any new material. This appears to be a smooth criminal pulling a fast one!
However, if someone has leaked material illegally, my client's legal team will pursue the matter."
Good PR though!
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