There seems to be some confusion as to the fate of Michael Jackson's Neverland ranch.
Foxnews.com reported that Jackson has permanently shut Neverland, and laid his 60 employees.
However, Raymone Bain - Jackson's spokesperson, is quoted as saying:
"It is public knowledge that Mr. Jackson currently resides in the Middle Eastern country of Bahrain.
He therefore decided to close his house and reduce his workforce. This is a common practice when a residence is vacant for an extended period of time."
Reports indicating that Neverland has been closed or 'shut down' for good are inaccurate."
It is really a matter of personal choice as to who you believe, the Jackson PR machine or the independent media.
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Jackson Finally Pays His Workers
Michael Jackson has finally deigned to pay the $304K of back wages owed to his 69 staff at Neverland.
I doubt that he would have bothered had it not been for the intervention of the State of California, who have fined him $100K and closed Neverland.
Dean Fryer, a spokesperson for the state's Department of Industrial Relations, is quoted by MTV yesterday as saying:
"We have confirmed that Michael Jackson's representatives are processing the wages ... and will be distributing payroll directly to the employees tomorrow."
It is pathetic, and thoroughly reprehensible that he did not pay them when the monies were orginally due.
I doubt that he would have bothered had it not been for the intervention of the State of California, who have fined him $100K and closed Neverland.
Dean Fryer, a spokesperson for the state's Department of Industrial Relations, is quoted by MTV yesterday as saying:
"We have confirmed that Michael Jackson's representatives are processing the wages ... and will be distributing payroll directly to the employees tomorrow."
It is pathetic, and thoroughly reprehensible that he did not pay them when the monies were orginally due.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
24 Hours
Michael Jackson has been granted a 24 hour reprieve to pay the £200K wages that he owes his staff who work on his Neverland ranch.
The staff have not been paid since December, and Jackson faces being sued by Calfornian authorities if he doesn't honour his debt.
He has been given until 1700 California time today to find the money.
Jackson's spokeswoman, Raymone Bain, said that Jackson does not comment on matters involving his finances because he considers them to be private.
She also pooh poohed the stories about Jackson moving to Britain:
"He's not purchased a house in London, he's not been scouting schools for his kids, he has no intention to moving to London
This is totally erroneous and they need to stop it."
With Jackson the story changes everyday, it is all but impossible to know what to believe anymore.
The staff have not been paid since December, and Jackson faces being sued by Calfornian authorities if he doesn't honour his debt.
He has been given until 1700 California time today to find the money.
Jackson's spokeswoman, Raymone Bain, said that Jackson does not comment on matters involving his finances because he considers them to be private.
She also pooh poohed the stories about Jackson moving to Britain:
"He's not purchased a house in London, he's not been scouting schools for his kids, he has no intention to moving to London
This is totally erroneous and they need to stop it."
With Jackson the story changes everyday, it is all but impossible to know what to believe anymore.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Jackson Misses Funeral of Jackson
Michael Jackson and his sister Janet decided to absent themselves from the from the funeral of an ex-Jackson Five drummer, Johnny Jackson (no relation), who died in a stabbing on March the 1st.
Five members of the Jackson family did attend the funeral held in Indiana, Johnny played in the Jackson Five for 15 years.
Five members of the Jackson family did attend the funeral held in Indiana, Johnny played in the Jackson Five for 15 years.
Monday, March 13, 2006
Michael Jackson In Britain
Michael Jackson has been living in Britain, apparently for the past month, this somewhat contradicts other reports that he had been staying with his family in California.
If the reports are true, then he has been staying at Cliveden in Berkshire, a magnificent stately home and backdrop to the Profumo sex scandal of the early 60's.
The reports claim that he has asked if it is up for sale, which it isn't. Given the fact that he cannot afford to pay his workers at Neverland, you would wonder where he thinks he will get the money from to be able to buy a stately home.
Jackson and his entourage were staying at Spring Cottage on the estate, which was where orgies involving; call girls, a Russian spy and leading names including John Profumo and Christine Keeler took place.
Allegedly Jackson also stayed in the Cotswolds and visited Scotland.
The rumours also claim that Jackson has asked about schooling his children in Britain.
One of Jackson's spokesmen is quoted as saying:
"Michael has been in the UK for several weeks now. It is very unlikely he will return to the US. Europe and Britain in particular feel like a safe haven to him at this time."
As with all stories concerning Jackson, this I would say should be taken with a hefty pinch of salt.
If the reports are true, then he has been staying at Cliveden in Berkshire, a magnificent stately home and backdrop to the Profumo sex scandal of the early 60's.
The reports claim that he has asked if it is up for sale, which it isn't. Given the fact that he cannot afford to pay his workers at Neverland, you would wonder where he thinks he will get the money from to be able to buy a stately home.
Jackson and his entourage were staying at Spring Cottage on the estate, which was where orgies involving; call girls, a Russian spy and leading names including John Profumo and Christine Keeler took place.
Allegedly Jackson also stayed in the Cotswolds and visited Scotland.
The rumours also claim that Jackson has asked about schooling his children in Britain.
One of Jackson's spokesmen is quoted as saying:
"Michael has been in the UK for several weeks now. It is very unlikely he will return to the US. Europe and Britain in particular feel like a safe haven to him at this time."
As with all stories concerning Jackson, this I would say should be taken with a hefty pinch of salt.
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Jackson Breaks With Bahrain
Michael Jackson has left Bahrain, amid reports that he has fallen out with Prince Abdullah of Bahrain, and returned to stay with his family in Encino California.
He would have doubtedly gone back to Neverland; however, because of unpaid wages and insurance, Neverland has been closed by order of the state of California.
In one small bright piece of news for Jackson, it is reported that his sister Janet has brought Michael's $2.2M mortgage on the family's Encino home.
Had she not done that, it is likely that he would have had nowhere to stay.
He would have doubtedly gone back to Neverland; however, because of unpaid wages and insurance, Neverland has been closed by order of the state of California.
In one small bright piece of news for Jackson, it is reported that his sister Janet has brought Michael's $2.2M mortgage on the family's Encino home.
Had she not done that, it is likely that he would have had nowhere to stay.
Friday, March 10, 2006
Neverland Shut Down
Evidently Michael Jackson's finances are in a very parlous state, as it seems that he has not been paying staff insurance or indeed the staff who work at his now abandoned Neverland.
As a result of this foolish lapse, California officials have fined Jackson $170K and ordered employees at the Neverland to stop working.
The California Department of Industrial Relations issued a "stop order" on Neverland. This prohibits employees from going back to work until workers' compensation coverage is restored. It fined Jackson $69K for the lapse.
The agency also demanded that Jackson pay his staff at least $306K in back wages, by next week, and fined him $100K for failing to pay wages.
If Jackson fails to meet these demands, the agency "will pursue appropriate legal action".
It is reported that the agency is investigating 47 complaints from employees about unpaid wages.
Jackson will find that running away to Bahrain solves nothing, it is immature and foolish to pretend that problems will go simply go away.
As a result of this foolish lapse, California officials have fined Jackson $170K and ordered employees at the Neverland to stop working.
The California Department of Industrial Relations issued a "stop order" on Neverland. This prohibits employees from going back to work until workers' compensation coverage is restored. It fined Jackson $69K for the lapse.
The agency also demanded that Jackson pay his staff at least $306K in back wages, by next week, and fined him $100K for failing to pay wages.
If Jackson fails to meet these demands, the agency "will pursue appropriate legal action".
It is reported that the agency is investigating 47 complaints from employees about unpaid wages.
Jackson will find that running away to Bahrain solves nothing, it is immature and foolish to pretend that problems will go simply go away.
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Jermaine Denies Book Report
Jermaine Jackson, one of Michael Jackson's older brothers, appeared on Larry King Live and dismissed reports that he had planned to write a book exposing Michael's alleged addiction to drugs and penchant for small boys.
The book, "Legacy: Surviving The Best And The Worst", was allegedly touted by way of an eight page proposal in 2003.
Jermaine claims that Stacy Brown, author of "Michael Jackson: The Man Behind The Mask", faked the whole thing.
Needless to say, Brown is not taking this lying down and has said that he has Jermaine on tape.
Quote:
"He'd be crying, spilling his guts, pouring his heart out for hours on end. I thought, 'Man, this is really deep.'
I've got Jermaine on tape, and the tapes are being turned over to attorney Mel Sachs."
Brown is apparently planning to go public with tapes of conversations he had with Jermaine Jackson, as part of a "very aggressive" slander suit against Jermaine.
Quote:
"The fact is I would not have written anything without the express consent of Jermaine Jackson and, in fact, you will see more than it on paper in the coming days; you will hear it on tape. Jermaine should be very careful about what he says.
(The tapes are) currently in the possession of, and being reviewed by, Mel Sachs. He and I have talked and we will be launching a very aggressive slander suit against Jermaine Jackson."
The book, "Legacy: Surviving The Best And The Worst", was allegedly touted by way of an eight page proposal in 2003.
Jermaine claims that Stacy Brown, author of "Michael Jackson: The Man Behind The Mask", faked the whole thing.
Needless to say, Brown is not taking this lying down and has said that he has Jermaine on tape.
Quote:
"He'd be crying, spilling his guts, pouring his heart out for hours on end. I thought, 'Man, this is really deep.'
I've got Jermaine on tape, and the tapes are being turned over to attorney Mel Sachs."
Brown is apparently planning to go public with tapes of conversations he had with Jermaine Jackson, as part of a "very aggressive" slander suit against Jermaine.
Quote:
"The fact is I would not have written anything without the express consent of Jermaine Jackson and, in fact, you will see more than it on paper in the coming days; you will hear it on tape. Jermaine should be very careful about what he says.
(The tapes are) currently in the possession of, and being reviewed by, Mel Sachs. He and I have talked and we will be launching a very aggressive slander suit against Jermaine Jackson."
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Who's The Daddy?
It seems that the lineage of Michael Jackson's second son, Prince Michael II (or Blanket as he sometimes calls him), is being called into question by the media.
Reports state that Jackson chose an attractive woman, who resembled Penelope Cruz and Salma Hayek, from a book of egg donors.
Jackson then allegedly found a sperm donor to fertilise her egg.
Seemingly, if the reports are to be believed, Jackson was playing God and trying his hand at creationism.
Reports state that Jackson chose an attractive woman, who resembled Penelope Cruz and Salma Hayek, from a book of egg donors.
Jackson then allegedly found a sperm donor to fertilise her egg.
Seemingly, if the reports are to be believed, Jackson was playing God and trying his hand at creationism.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
The Jackogate Tapes
Jeffrey Borer and Arvel Jett Reeves have pleaded guilty to secretly videotaping Michael Jackson, in November 2003, when he flew to Santa Barbara with his attorney Mark Geragos to surrender in the child-molestation investigation.
Borer and Reeves admitted by plea agreements that they installed two videorecorders, to record "a professional entertainer" and his lawyer November 2003.
They entered their plea to U.S. District Judge A. Howard Matz.
The federal prosecutors have agreed to dismiss two other charges, endeavouring to intercept oral communication and witness tampering.
They face up to five years in prison, and a fine of $250K.
Borer and Reeves admitted by plea agreements that they installed two videorecorders, to record "a professional entertainer" and his lawyer November 2003.
They entered their plea to U.S. District Judge A. Howard Matz.
The federal prosecutors have agreed to dismiss two other charges, endeavouring to intercept oral communication and witness tampering.
They face up to five years in prison, and a fine of $250K.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Jermaine Puts The Boot In
One of Michael Jackson's brothers, Jermaine Jackson, has put the boot into Michael's well crafted image and doubtless ensured that Michael will never to talk to him again.
Jermaine submitted a book proposal in 2003, working title "Legacy: Surviving The Best and Worst", the details of which have now reached the media.
In the proposal, Jermaine says that he watched Michael fall into vicious rages as a result of him being high on a mixture of prescription drugs and drink.
Jermaine also questions Michael's behaviour around his own nephews.
Quote:
"Does he really know what he does with these kids? I don't want to tell you my brother's innocent. I am not certain that he is.
Michael couldn't survive one day in prison he would commit suicide. He has a thing for young children."
Jermaine states that the Jackson family has protected Michael's image, and that at the start of his career they thought that he was gay.
Quote:
"But Michael, well, he wasn't interested. We used to quietly say that we couldn't have a gay brother."
Jermaine also notes that Michael cheats, lies and has changed the colour of his skin (I think everyone knew that).
Allegedly Michael's behaviour towards his own nephews left the Jackson family "shaken". Jermaine claims that he found Michael holding brother Tito's young sons in a disturbing manner in the mid-1990s, after their mother died.
According to Jermaine, Michael hates Jews; in Jackson's (if the proposal is to be believed) mind Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen stole the idea for Dreamworks studio, including the boy-on-the moon logo, from him.
In an unpleasant piece of anti semitism in the proposal, Jermaine says:
"The Jews are the powerful ones and they have done a lot to put my brother in his place ... just another n**ger."
The proposal, for good measure, then lists Michael's drugs of choice; Vicodin, Demerol, codeine and Percocet, cocaine, Jack Daniels and wine.
If the family really had worries about Michael's behaviour towards children, why did they not intervene to stop it worsening?
Jermaine submitted a book proposal in 2003, working title "Legacy: Surviving The Best and Worst", the details of which have now reached the media.
In the proposal, Jermaine says that he watched Michael fall into vicious rages as a result of him being high on a mixture of prescription drugs and drink.
Jermaine also questions Michael's behaviour around his own nephews.
Quote:
"Does he really know what he does with these kids? I don't want to tell you my brother's innocent. I am not certain that he is.
Michael couldn't survive one day in prison he would commit suicide. He has a thing for young children."
Jermaine states that the Jackson family has protected Michael's image, and that at the start of his career they thought that he was gay.
Quote:
"But Michael, well, he wasn't interested. We used to quietly say that we couldn't have a gay brother."
Jermaine also notes that Michael cheats, lies and has changed the colour of his skin (I think everyone knew that).
Allegedly Michael's behaviour towards his own nephews left the Jackson family "shaken". Jermaine claims that he found Michael holding brother Tito's young sons in a disturbing manner in the mid-1990s, after their mother died.
According to Jermaine, Michael hates Jews; in Jackson's (if the proposal is to be believed) mind Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg and David Geffen stole the idea for Dreamworks studio, including the boy-on-the moon logo, from him.
In an unpleasant piece of anti semitism in the proposal, Jermaine says:
"The Jews are the powerful ones and they have done a lot to put my brother in his place ... just another n**ger."
The proposal, for good measure, then lists Michael's drugs of choice; Vicodin, Demerol, codeine and Percocet, cocaine, Jack Daniels and wine.
If the family really had worries about Michael's behaviour towards children, why did they not intervene to stop it worsening?
Friday, March 03, 2006
Jackson Converting To Islam?
The rumour mill concerning Michael Jackson's possible conversion to Islam has gone into overload, after he pledged to erect a mosque in Bahrain.
Jackson has obtained planning permission to build a 30 metre building outside Manama, on land adjoining the palace of the Bahraini royal family.
Jackson was a Jehovah's Witness, but since his arrival in Bahrain has been regularly seen in shopping malls wearing a Muslim abaya robe, which is traditionally worn by females.
Raymone Bain, Jackson's spokesperson, said:
"Michael is looking to give something back to the country that has welcomed him so openly."
Jackson has obtained planning permission to build a 30 metre building outside Manama, on land adjoining the palace of the Bahraini royal family.
Jackson was a Jehovah's Witness, but since his arrival in Bahrain has been regularly seen in shopping malls wearing a Muslim abaya robe, which is traditionally worn by females.
Raymone Bain, Jackson's spokesperson, said:
"Michael is looking to give something back to the country that has welcomed him so openly."
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