29 June 2009
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Sued From As Far As the Middle East
Bahraini's Monarch Son's Suit Against Jackson
Even the conservative Middle Eastern Moslem enclave had legal issues with MJ. Amongst his several legal battles was the one in November last year over a $7 million lawsuit on claims alleging he took advanced money on an album and autobiography he never completed
After Jackson's was acquitted of the child molestation charge in 2005, the son of Sheik of Bahrain, Abdulla bin Hamad Isa Al Khalifa, an aspiring songwriter befriended Jackson and invited him to live in Bahrain. He reportedly showered money on Jackson whom he regarded as a musical role model. A rift however developed between them after Jackson left the Gulf emirate in 2006. There was an allegation that Jackson failed to fulfill a joint music venture between them. He therefore instituted a suit against Jackson claiming $7 million as damages. Jackson denied there was any such agreement, stressing that the money given him was not a consideration for any contractual agreement but a gift. The case was however settled out of court in a deal whose content was not made public. It was however widely believed that Jackson coughed out millions of US dollars to stifle the embarrassment.
Jinexed Scheduled Concert in London
By June 10, 2009, the much hyped London 02 Arena mega show and much awaited come back headed for the rocks as his erstwhile promoter instituted a law suit against the superstar. The Promoter claimed the King Of Pop must first perform on US soil.
The music promoter had filed a lawsuit to halt Michael Jackson's performance.
The promoter, All Good Entertainment claimed that the King Of Pop must first perform in the US under a contract he signed with the New Jersey-based promoter before embarking on his 50-night mega jam in London which was billed to begin on July 13.
The company filed the suit in Federal Court in New York and named as defendants AEG Live, with whom Jackson signed a contract for the London shows, as well as Jackson's production company and his manager Frank DiLeo.
The suit alleged breach of contract, fraud and tortuous interference with a contract. It sought at least $20 million in compensatory damages, and at least $20 million in punitive damages.
The suit threw up other legal issues before the Jackson team. It was evident from Jackson's utterances that he was probably ignorant of some aspects of the contract. He had problems with his London O2 Arena gig bookers, saying he thought he only signed up to play only 10 shows and not the 50 later discovered he was scheduled for at the venue.
Sued Over Jackson 5
As at May 16th 2009 it was learnt that the pop star vehemently made it clear that he would not perform with Janet and the Jackson 5. He had a change of mind for personal reason. The organisers promptly sued him.
It was reported that Jacko's manager signed a deal on his behalf to perform with his sister and brothers at Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas in 2010. Part of the deal was that he must not sign any other concert deal for 18 months. But then Jacko went and signed up for his London concerts which were scheduled to begin in July.
The company that organised the family concert AllGood Entertainment got Michael, daddy Joe Jackson and several others in a room at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Joe tried to convince Michael that the family tour should go on, but Michael wouldn't budge because it would have aired on pay-per-view and M.J. said he didn't like pay-per-view! The meeting was heated and no one agreed to anything.
An enraged Patrick Allocco of AllGood Entertainment told the press later he was going to sue Jackson and his family.
Just before his death, Patrick Allocco had resubmitted his offer for MJ to perform with the Jackson 5 and Janet without the pay-per-view. For this one night event, MJ would be paid $3million, Janet $1mil, and the brothers would get $500,000 to split.
Allocco was making this his last and final offer. If Jacko refused, AllGood Entertainment will proceed with suing him and his family. He didn't make up his mind before he died.
Was Jackson a Victim of Medical Negligence or Malpractice?
Jackson's doctor, Dr. Conrad Murray was reportedly with him at the time he stopped breathing before paramedics arrived. Questions have kept flying on the nature of medicine administered by Murray to his illustrious patient. As the investigation of the police into Jackson's death gathers heat, Murray's medical prescription to Jackson had come under intensive searchlight. He himself is leaving no stone unturned as he had reportedly hired a law firm, apparently in anticipation of police laying any charge against him. Already the police have said they would need him as a witness to help them in understanding the circumstances of Jackson death. This, perhaps is an obvious euphemism since they have not allowed him to leave Los Angeles since his patient's death.
Murray, a 1989 graduate of Meharry Medical College in Nashville who practices medicine in California, Nevada and Texas, had coincidentally been facing lawsuits of recent and within the last 18 months, his Nevada medical practice, Global Cardiovascular Associates, had been slapped with more than $400,000 in court judgments.
These included the $228,000 to awarded to Citicorp Vendor Finance Inc., $71,000 to an education loan company and $135,000 to a leasing company. Reports had it that he is facing at least two other pending cases.
Murray was also said to be in some financial difficulties of recent.
What Did the Autopsy say?
The autopsy on Jackson's had been completed by last Friday, twenty four hours later, the medical team that conducted autopsy had not given any clue as to the cause of his death. The team said nothing found on Jackson till then suggested any foul play; it however added that it was still awaiting the result of the toxicology test performed on the body. The Los Angeles County Coroner's spokesman, Mr. Craig Harvey, said Jackson had been taken 'some prescription medications' before his death, but he could not confirm what those drugs were. He however added that 'There was no indication of any external trauma or indication of foul play to the body of Mr. Jackson'.
Meanwhile, Jackson's corpse had been reportedly released to his family.
Furthermore, one of the Jackson's family spokespersons, Rev. Jesse Jackson, was quoted by the international media as saying that the family had requested for a second autopsy on the deceased. What the public still holds on to is that Jackson, who passed away on June 25 at the age 50, died of cardiac arrest.
What Fate Awaits Wacko Jacko's Kids?
As at the time of writing this piece, it was not ascertained whether Jackson left a will or died intestate. Associated with this issue of will is the question of the custody of Jackson's three children. The children are Prince Michael 1, aged 12, Paris Michael, 11 and Prince Michael 11 aged seven. The mother of his two children, Deborah Rowe, who was his dermatologist's assistant and the daughter of late Elvis Presley, Lisa (Whose wedding to Jackson was between May 1994 and January 1996), had divorced him. They had also given up their parental rights and conceded the custody of the children to Jackson. Rowe for instance took him to court over the custody and visitation arrangement of the two children she had with him. She eventually settled for $8.5 million, and gave up her parental rights. Who will now take the custody of these children? May be the will, if it is eventually found to exist, will shed light on this issue by giving the custody to some specific person(s) or institution.
What was Jackson Financial Status Before Death?
One of the allegations made by the Prosecution at Jackson's child molestation trial was that he was bankrupt. This was as far back as 2005. What now was the legend's financial status before he died last Thursday? A plethora of credible sources alleged that the late musician's account was in red. His indebtedness had been estimated to be $500 million. This assessment is hardly surprising considering Jackson's lifestyle of inordinate spending-a fact which had fetched him the sobriquet of 'spendaholic' among friends and foes. It was even insinuated that Jackson's scheduled 'comeback' meant to be launched with 50 concerts in London next year was a lifeline package meant to partly restored his lost fortune. What now becomes of the contracts already entered into for the London shows? Under the law any contracted of personal service is deemed extinguished if the contracted performer dies before the time of performance. This is predicated on the common law principle of frustration. Therefore Jackson's contracts for the London concerts are now voided with all liabilities extinguished.
In spite of the widespread rumour of Jackson's staggering debts at death, the future nonetheless seems bright for his three children as it has been found that the deceased had completed some works and was half-way through in others before he died. One of these works reportedly included a warning lyrics about climate change. Experts have estimated that if these works are eventually released posthumously, they, in addition to sympathetic purchase of Jackson's earlier works, will generate enough funds not only to cancel out Jackson's debts but also to give his children financial independence for the rest of their lives.
As A Bard And World Class Lyricist Bows Out
Despite Michael Jackson's perceived eccentricity, weirdness and unconventional behaviour he managed to inspire an entire generation, he infused a zeitgeist into music that history may never ignore. In spite of the misgivings that the world had over his moral perpendicularity, some honourable and decent parents like international pop star, Lionel Richey had found the moral courage to make Wacko Jacko godparent to his son.
Legally speaking most of the suits against Michael Jackson were actions in personam, which would necessarily extinguish with his demise. It was not stated in clear terms by the family whether he had a will. In a country like America which has been acknowledged as the most lawyered nation on earth, it would be strange if he didn't. this is the only area where a few more suits are likely to materialise as his three children are from different women. Some veiled and unseen creditor may also surprise the Jackson estate with a claim or lien not yet identified. For these likely legal issues, the US has a functional and fairly reliable legal system that would most certainly meet the challenges.
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