The above title, frankly, should hold no surprises for anyone who has followed the trial of Michael Jackson.
Janet Arvizo, mother of Jackson's accuser, made absolutely no friends in the court room during her testimony.
She was exposed as a "grifter" and scam artist who defrauded J C Penny and others. Indeed, when the allegation about welfare fruad was raised during the trial, she adopted the fifth amendment.
Now she has been charged with welfare fraud by prosecutors, who say that she lied about her finances when she applied for public assistance.
Los Angeles District Attorney's spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons said:
"These charges are the result of a very careful investigation of allegations that she basically lied to receive aid. We felt the evidence was sufficient to file these counts".
Prosecutors accuse Janet of defrauding the welfare system out $18K.
She could, if convicted, face more than five years in prison.
Jackson's attorney, Tom Mesereau said Jackson had been informed of the charges.
Quote:
"I have always maintained that the case against Michael Jackson was a fraud and a disgrace and these charges confirm that. We brought this information to District Attorney Sneddon early on in the case hoping that he would dismiss the charges against Michael Jackson. Unfortunately he was stubborn and denied our request."
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Monday, August 22, 2005
Jackson Still In Bahrain
Michael Jackson is still in Bahrain, and turned up at the opulent Burj Al Arab hotel for lunch the other day with a Bahraini delegation.
He stayed at the Burj in the Royal suite, with a posse of his own bodyguards.
Jackson has been in Bahrain, ever since he arrived alone in the kingdom aboard a private jet earlier last month.
It is believed that Jackson owns a property in the Kingdom.
He stayed at the Burj in the Royal suite, with a posse of his own bodyguards.
Jackson has been in Bahrain, ever since he arrived alone in the kingdom aboard a private jet earlier last month.
It is believed that Jackson owns a property in the Kingdom.
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Juror's Integrity In Tatters
Ray Hultman, one of the jurors from the Michael Jackson trial, has been accused of plagiarism.
Hultman and the two co-writers of his book about the trial, called "The Deliberator", have allegedly taken a description of Jackson's clothes worn during the trial word for word from Vanity Fair.
The alleged stolen quote was:
"Up close, Michael Jackson's appearance is amazing. He wears a black pageboy wig, and his face is caked with white makeup, which conceals a prosthesis that serves as the tip of his nose. One person, who has seen him without the device, says he resembles a mummy with nostril holes."
These were first written by Maureen Orth in an article in April 2003 for Vanity Fair.
If true, then it further destroys what is left of Hultman's already dubious integrity.
Hultman and the two co-writers of his book about the trial, called "The Deliberator", have allegedly taken a description of Jackson's clothes worn during the trial word for word from Vanity Fair.
The alleged stolen quote was:
"Up close, Michael Jackson's appearance is amazing. He wears a black pageboy wig, and his face is caked with white makeup, which conceals a prosthesis that serves as the tip of his nose. One person, who has seen him without the device, says he resembles a mummy with nostril holes."
These were first written by Maureen Orth in an article in April 2003 for Vanity Fair.
If true, then it further destroys what is left of Hultman's already dubious integrity.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Jackson Fined
Michael Jackson was fined $10K yesterday, for failing to appear in court to answer another sex abuse case.
This one is from Joseph Bartucci, who says that Jackson assaulted him in a limousine in 1984.
Bartucci claims that he repressed the memories of abuse until 2003, when he saw news coverage of child molestation charges against Jackson.
Jackson's lawyers say this is another attempt to exploit his wealth and celebrity, they doubt that the accusations will go to trial.
This one is from Joseph Bartucci, who says that Jackson assaulted him in a limousine in 1984.
Bartucci claims that he repressed the memories of abuse until 2003, when he saw news coverage of child molestation charges against Jackson.
Jackson's lawyers say this is another attempt to exploit his wealth and celebrity, they doubt that the accusations will go to trial.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Another Court Case
Michael Jackson finds himself involved in yet another court case today.
This time US District Judge Eldon Fallon will be hearing why Michael Jackson should not be held in civil contempt, or have a default judgment entered against him.
Neither Jackson nor his attorney appeared at a hearing last month, in a federal civil case that accuses Jackson of sexual assault during the 1984 World's Fair.
The hearing was a procedural matter, in which Jackson was supposed to show that he had legal representation.
Brian Oxman, a spokesman for the Jackson family, says that the allegations made in the lawsuit are false. He called the plaintiff, Joseph Thomas Bartucci Junior, one of many people who have tried to take advantage of Jackson's wealth and celebrity.
Bartucci claims he was lured into Jackson's limousine by one of Jackson's employees, then held against his will for days and sexually assaulted during a drive to California and back.
Bartucci was 18 at the time and claims he repressed the memories until 2003, when he saw media coverage of child molestation charges brought against Jackson.
This time US District Judge Eldon Fallon will be hearing why Michael Jackson should not be held in civil contempt, or have a default judgment entered against him.
Neither Jackson nor his attorney appeared at a hearing last month, in a federal civil case that accuses Jackson of sexual assault during the 1984 World's Fair.
The hearing was a procedural matter, in which Jackson was supposed to show that he had legal representation.
Brian Oxman, a spokesman for the Jackson family, says that the allegations made in the lawsuit are false. He called the plaintiff, Joseph Thomas Bartucci Junior, one of many people who have tried to take advantage of Jackson's wealth and celebrity.
Bartucci claims he was lured into Jackson's limousine by one of Jackson's employees, then held against his will for days and sexually assaulted during a drive to California and back.
Bartucci was 18 at the time and claims he repressed the memories until 2003, when he saw media coverage of child molestation charges brought against Jackson.
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
More Self Publicity From The Jury
Ray Hultman, an ertswhile member of the Michael Jackson jury, is intent on creating as much publicity as possible for his forthcoming book about the trial.
Hultman has continued his media tirade against Jackson, by saying that in he was shocked by Jackson's ghost-like features during the trial.
Quote:
"Up close, his appearance is amazing. He wears a wig and his face is caked in white make-up, which hides the prosthesis that serves as the tip of his nose.
One person who has seen him without the device says he resembles a mummy with nostril holes."
Hultman has continued his media tirade against Jackson, by saying that in he was shocked by Jackson's ghost-like features during the trial.
Quote:
"Up close, his appearance is amazing. He wears a wig and his face is caked in white make-up, which hides the prosthesis that serves as the tip of his nose.
One person who has seen him without the device says he resembles a mummy with nostril holes."
Monday, August 15, 2005
Court T-V Drops Case
Diane Dimond, an anchor for Court T-V during the Michael Jackson trial, has dropped a restraining order against Bobby Joe Hickamn who insulted her.
Dimond had claimed that Hickman incited people to attack her. According to court documents, she felt so threatened that Court T-V hired three guards to protect her.
Dimond and Hickman also sued each other over legal fees.
A settlement between the two was reached this week, but both parties declined to comment on details.
Dimond had claimed that Hickman incited people to attack her. According to court documents, she felt so threatened that Court T-V hired three guards to protect her.
Dimond and Hickman also sued each other over legal fees.
A settlement between the two was reached this week, but both parties declined to comment on details.
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Jackson Jury High Jinks Damages Justice System
The post Michael Jackson trial jury fallout does not seem to be abating.
It seems that the "fifteen minutes of fame" were simply not enough for some members of that jury.
They tasted the "sweet fruits of fame" (I am being ironic here), and decided that they wanted to gorge themselves on more.
Two of the jury, Eleanor Cook and Ray Hultman, claim that they were pressured by other jurors into voting for acquittal.
Then, for good measure, they have also announced that they intend to milk their jury work for every cent that they can get; they plan to sell books, a TV movie even T-shirts.
Cook is quoted as saying:
"They ought to be ashamed. They're the ones who let a paedophile go."
Unless I missed a point here, she was on the jury too. She could have voted guilty, but did not.
Now other members of the jury have gone public, in an attempt to reclaim their "honour":
Susan Derr-Drake, a jury member, said:
"I was crushed. The whole thing is fracturing. It was very disheartening. Up to the point of the verdict and the (post-verdict) press conference I felt we all did a really good job and had integrity. And then, as soon as the publicity hit, people changed. They were seduced by fame and fortune."
Susan Rentschler, another juror, said:
"I called Ray and spoke with his wife (after the trial) and she wouldn't let me speak to him. I wouldn't want to speak with them now. They should be ashamed of themselves. They are giving juries a bad name. They are not doing anything good for the legal system itself by saying things that are totally untrue."
Larry Garrison, a Hollywood producer, has purchased the rights to Cook and Hultman's stories; he has imposed a media blackout on them.
Garrison has waded into the fray, and said:
"Right now I have the whole world converging on me to do interviews. I have a major (TV) network that right now I'm in negotiations with. I have about four major publishers (interested) in the books. Within a day or so both deals should be done, hopefully."
He then added, somewhat implausibly:
"This is not about money. This is about the judicial system gone awry. This is about two jurors being pressured, being told they'd be kicked off the jury. Elly Cook is 79 years old and she doesn't give a damn about money right now. She's donating the money to feed the children."
Of course it is about money!
How gullible does he think people are?
Garrison then contradicted his "not about money" claim by saying that Cook is marketing T-shirts with the words "Don't Snap Your Fingers at Me, Lady -- Elly Cook, Juror Number 5".
This unedifying spectacle is doing immense damage to the public's perception about the integrity of the jury system, not to mention the remains of Jackson's shattered reputation.
Maybe he could sue them for defamation?
It seems that the "fifteen minutes of fame" were simply not enough for some members of that jury.
They tasted the "sweet fruits of fame" (I am being ironic here), and decided that they wanted to gorge themselves on more.
Two of the jury, Eleanor Cook and Ray Hultman, claim that they were pressured by other jurors into voting for acquittal.
Then, for good measure, they have also announced that they intend to milk their jury work for every cent that they can get; they plan to sell books, a TV movie even T-shirts.
Cook is quoted as saying:
"They ought to be ashamed. They're the ones who let a paedophile go."
Unless I missed a point here, she was on the jury too. She could have voted guilty, but did not.
Now other members of the jury have gone public, in an attempt to reclaim their "honour":
Susan Derr-Drake, a jury member, said:
"I was crushed. The whole thing is fracturing. It was very disheartening. Up to the point of the verdict and the (post-verdict) press conference I felt we all did a really good job and had integrity. And then, as soon as the publicity hit, people changed. They were seduced by fame and fortune."
Susan Rentschler, another juror, said:
"I called Ray and spoke with his wife (after the trial) and she wouldn't let me speak to him. I wouldn't want to speak with them now. They should be ashamed of themselves. They are giving juries a bad name. They are not doing anything good for the legal system itself by saying things that are totally untrue."
Larry Garrison, a Hollywood producer, has purchased the rights to Cook and Hultman's stories; he has imposed a media blackout on them.
Garrison has waded into the fray, and said:
"Right now I have the whole world converging on me to do interviews. I have a major (TV) network that right now I'm in negotiations with. I have about four major publishers (interested) in the books. Within a day or so both deals should be done, hopefully."
He then added, somewhat implausibly:
"This is not about money. This is about the judicial system gone awry. This is about two jurors being pressured, being told they'd be kicked off the jury. Elly Cook is 79 years old and she doesn't give a damn about money right now. She's donating the money to feed the children."
Of course it is about money!
How gullible does he think people are?
Garrison then contradicted his "not about money" claim by saying that Cook is marketing T-shirts with the words "Don't Snap Your Fingers at Me, Lady -- Elly Cook, Juror Number 5".
This unedifying spectacle is doing immense damage to the public's perception about the integrity of the jury system, not to mention the remains of Jackson's shattered reputation.
Maybe he could sue them for defamation?
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Bain's Back
Michael Jackson issued a brief statement Tuesday regretting the death of one of his mentors, John H. Johnson.
Now the thing that caught the eye of the Jackson watchers was not so much the message, but the by line.
The message was signed by Raymone Bain, Jackson's erstwhile spokeswoman who had (according to Jackson's own website) been fired.
Now it seems she is back in favour at the "royal court", and has confirmed that she continues to work for Jackson.
The moods swings of celebrities are tricky to judge, and can have good and bad effects on the lives of those who are employed by them.
Now the thing that caught the eye of the Jackson watchers was not so much the message, but the by line.
The message was signed by Raymone Bain, Jackson's erstwhile spokeswoman who had (according to Jackson's own website) been fired.
Now it seems she is back in favour at the "royal court", and has confirmed that she continues to work for Jackson.
The moods swings of celebrities are tricky to judge, and can have good and bad effects on the lives of those who are employed by them.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Another Juror Admits Mistake
I don't know what has got into some of the jury from the Michael Jackson child molestation trial, but a few of them seem to have had a sudden attack of guilt.
Katharina Carls, a third juror from the Jackson trial, has apologised for clearing Jackson.
She now insists that she believes that he was guilty of sexually abusing a teenage cancer sufferer.
Why say this now?
Why did she not vote him guilty when she was in the jury room?
Carls is the third juror to question Jackson's innocence; Eleanor Cook and Ray Hultman both, oddly enough, in the process of writing books about the trial have said that they think that Jackson was guilty as well.
Pathetic!
If they really believed that, then they should have said so during the trial.
Katharina Carls, a third juror from the Jackson trial, has apologised for clearing Jackson.
She now insists that she believes that he was guilty of sexually abusing a teenage cancer sufferer.
Why say this now?
Why did she not vote him guilty when she was in the jury room?
Carls is the third juror to question Jackson's innocence; Eleanor Cook and Ray Hultman both, oddly enough, in the process of writing books about the trial have said that they think that Jackson was guilty as well.
Pathetic!
If they really believed that, then they should have said so during the trial.
Monday, August 08, 2005
Jackson Buys Home In Bahrain
Michael Jackson has bought a luxury property in the Gulf kingdom of Bahrain, where he rested after his child molestation trial.
Jackson has purchased a 14-acre property near a palace of Sheikh Abdullah Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, a son of Bahrain's King Hamad.
Jackson has purchased a 14-acre property near a palace of Sheikh Abdullah Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, a son of Bahrain's King Hamad.
Saturday, August 06, 2005
Allegations of Serious Misconduct
The jury that cleared Michael Jackson of child sex abuse has been accused of serious misconduct including, smuggling books and videotapes into the jury room.
The allegations come from Stacy Brown, who used to be a friend of Jackson and a spokesman.
He has been approached by two of the hapless members of the jury; who want to make a fast buck out of their brush with celebrity, by writing a couple of books.
Isn't there a law against members of juries profiting from the verdicts?
Brown is quoted as saying:
"That jury would have acquitted him even if they had a videotape (of the alleged crime)".
It seems that one juror allegedly sneaked a video of Court TV broadcasts, widely considered biased towards the prosecution, into the deliberation room.
A medical book had also been smuggled into deliberations, to show that "Jackson fit the book`s definition of a paedophile to a T"; but Eleanor Cook, who had brought the book into the room, was later "intimidated" into voting for acquittal.
Three of the female jurors were such fans of Jackson, that they allegedly gushed "Not my Michael..." when the panel discussed the sex abuse charges.
Brown alleges that he was told that the women formed a bond and their "minds were made up about one-third of the way through the trial."
He also alleges that Cook had also admitted that she frequently winked at Jackson's mother, Katherine, across the courtroom.
Seems to me the verdict should be thrown out, and a retrial ordered.
The allegations come from Stacy Brown, who used to be a friend of Jackson and a spokesman.
He has been approached by two of the hapless members of the jury; who want to make a fast buck out of their brush with celebrity, by writing a couple of books.
Isn't there a law against members of juries profiting from the verdicts?
Brown is quoted as saying:
"That jury would have acquitted him even if they had a videotape (of the alleged crime)".
It seems that one juror allegedly sneaked a video of Court TV broadcasts, widely considered biased towards the prosecution, into the deliberation room.
A medical book had also been smuggled into deliberations, to show that "Jackson fit the book`s definition of a paedophile to a T"; but Eleanor Cook, who had brought the book into the room, was later "intimidated" into voting for acquittal.
Three of the female jurors were such fans of Jackson, that they allegedly gushed "Not my Michael..." when the panel discussed the sex abuse charges.
Brown alleges that he was told that the women formed a bond and their "minds were made up about one-third of the way through the trial."
He also alleges that Cook had also admitted that she frequently winked at Jackson's mother, Katherine, across the courtroom.
Seems to me the verdict should be thrown out, and a retrial ordered.
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