GENERAL
DVD
Frozen in Time: A Riveting Behind-the-Scenes View of the Michael Jackson Cases. Los Angeles County Bar Association, September 15, 2010 (Tom Mesereau, Ron Zonen, Judge Rodney Melville, Larry Feldman, Carl Douglas).
BOOKS
Bego, Mark. On the Road with Michael (Pinnacle, 1984).
Boteach, Shmuley. The Michael Jackson Tapes (Vanguard Press, 2009).
Cadman, Chris, and Halstead, Craig. Michael Jackson: For the Record (Authors OnLine, 2007).
Campbell, Lisa. Michael Jackson: The King of Pop’s Darkest Hour (Branden Books, 1994).
Cartman, Shirley. A Teacher Remembers the Jacksons (Gabriel Publishing, 1987).
Cascio, Frank. My Friend Michael (William Morrow, 2011).
Chandler, Raymond. All That Glitters (Chanadon Publications, 2004).
Dannen, Frederic. Hit Men (Random House, 1988).
Dimond, Diane. Be Careful Who You Love (Atria Books, 2005).
Finstad, Suzanne. Child Bride: The Untold Story of Priscilla Beaulieu Presley (Three Rivers Press, 2006).
Foster, David. Hitman (Pocket, 2008).
George, Nelson. The Michael Jackson Story (Dell, 1984).
Grizzuti-Harrison, Barbara. Visions of Glory (Robert Hale, 1980).
Haden-Guest, Anthony. The Last Party: Studio 54, Disco, and the Culture of the Night (New York, William Morrow, 1998).
Haney, Lynn. Gregory Peck: A Charmed Life (Da Capo Press, 2005).
Heymann, C. David. Liz: An Intimate Biography of Elizabeth Taylor (Atria Books, 2007).
Hughes, Geraldine. Redemption: The Truth Behind the Michael Jackson Child Molestation Allegations (Hughes Publishing, 2004).
Jackson, Katherine. My Family, the Jacksons (St. Martin’s Press, 1990).
Jackson, Jermaine. You Are Not Alone (Simon and Schuster, 2011).
Jackson, Janet with David Ritz. True You (Gallery Books, 2011).
Jackson, La Toya. Growing Up in the Jackson Family (Dutton, 1991).
Jackson, La Toya, with Jeffré Phillips. Starting Over (Gallery Books, 2011).
Jackson, Michael. Moonwalker (Random House, 1988).
Jefferson, Margo. On Michael Jackson (Pantheon, 2006).
Jones, Aphrodite. Michael Jackson Conspiracy (iUniverse, 2007).
Jones, Bob, with Stacy Brown. Michael Jackson: The Man Behind the Mask (SelectBooks, 2005).
Posner, Gerald. Motown: Music, Money, Sex, and Power (Random House, 2005).
Rowe, Leonard. What Really Happened to Michael Jackson the King of Pop (Linell-Diamond Entertainment, 2010).
Schechter, Daniel, and Erica Willheim. “The Effects of Violent Experience and Maltreatment on Infants and Young Children.” In Handbook of Infant Mental Health, 3rd Edition, Charles H. Zeanah (Ed.) (Guilford Press, 2009).
Shorter, E. A Historical Dictionary of Psychiatry (Oxford University Press, 2005). See especially the chapter “Benzodiazepines.”
Singleton, Raynoma Gordy. Berry, Me, and Motown (McGraw-Hill, 1991).
Sitrick, Michael. Spin: How to Turn the Power of the Press to Your Advantage (Regenery Publishing, 1998).
Taraborrelli, J. Randy. Elizabeth (Grand Central Publishing, 2006).
———. Michael Jackson: The Magic and the Madness (Birch Lane Press, 1991).
———. Michael Jackson: The Magic, the Madness, the Whole Story, 1958–2009 (Grand Central Publishing, 2010).
———. Motown—Hot Wax, City Cool, Solid Gold (Doubleday, 1986).
Vaknin, Sam. Malignant Self Love: Narcissism Revisited (Narcissus Publications, 2001).
White, Timothy (Tony Wills). A People for His Name (Vantage, 1968).
TIME LINES
“Michael Jackson Timeline,” allmichaeljackson.com.
“MJJ Timeline,” mjjtimeline.blogspot.com.
Daily Mail, August 13, 2012.
PROLOGUE
Interviews: Marc Schaffel, AS1. Jackson family Anniversary Concert compensation: pleadings in Schaffel v. Jackson. Secret room: descriptions by sheriff’s deputies, Neverland staff member interviews in People v. Jackson. Ribera to Sullivan letters (see below) attributed Mrs. Jackson’s participation to pressure from Joe and Jermaine.
COURT FILES
Criminal
1133603 (Santa Barbara Superior Court) The People of the State of California v. Michael Joe Jackson, December 18, 2003 (hereafter cited as SBSC 1133603).
Civil
SC083501 (Los Angeles Superior Court) F. Marc Schaffel v. Michael Jackson, November 16, 2004 (hereafter cited as LASC SC083501).
SECRET ROOM
“Michael Jackson’s Secret Room.” Popdirt.com, November 19, 2003 (I).
“Police Find Secret Room in Michael Jackson Raid.” Extra, November 19, 2003 (RT).
CHAPTER 1
Interviews: AS1, AS2, CS1, CS2, Tom Mesereau, Marc Schaffel, Tohme Tohme, Schaffel, Liam Sheehan. Katherine Jackson, re. Michael’s religion. Dick Gregory: to van Susteren, interview for Stealing Michael Jackson. Bahrain: AS1, Mesereau, Tohme. Scene at Neverland/hospitalization: AS1, Mesereau, Gregory, AP, Access Hollywood. Center for Well Being, Crillon: AS1. MJ-Rwaramba relationship: AS1, Mesereau, Tohme, Schaffel, Sheehan, CS1, CS2; Rwaramba to Daphne Barak (published in News of the World and Times of London online; I cite full versions on Barak’s Web site). Stacy Adair/“marriage of convenience”: “Secret girlfriend”/Daily Mirror. Sheikh Abdullah background: AS1, Tohme, media below. “Flabbergasted,” “it blew my mind”: Rwaramba High Court testimony as per British press, esp. The Independent and Guardian. MJ-Abdullah travels: AS1; also, Mesereau paraphrasing Susan Yu, Tohme. London/Schaffel v. Jackson: AS1, Schaffel, Mesereau, Howard King and Dieter Wiesner. Schaffel/Jackson financial transactions: sources as above, and Al Malnik. Schaffel v. Jackson court file, and evidence and testimony in People v. Jackson. Attending church with KJ during People v. Jackson: AS1, Mesereau, Stacy Brown to Dan Abrams. “A psychological state that he required in order to function”: Schaffel as quoted by King in a court pleading. Marlon Brando “a god”: phone message, MJ to Schaffel. John Branca/MJ, esp. 2001–3 and “What More Can I Give?”: Schaffel, King, Wiesner, Schaffel v. Jackson court file, Phillips/LA Times, Carter/New York Times, Gunderson. Mark Wahlberg/White Plains: Schaffel, AS1. Branca-MJ relationship: Taraborrelli, Branca to California Lawyer magazine, Schaffel, King, Wiesner, Phillips/LATimes. Interfor Report: my own review of document; Schaffel, King, and Mesereau; testimony of David LeGrand in People v. Jackson. Sony: Schaffel, Wiesner, New York Times July 2002, Phillips/LA Times 2002. Cascio family: Schaffel, Wiesner, Mesereau; Cascio/MJ interviews in Boteach book; and sources below. “Cascio kids” music video incident: Schaffel, AS1. Trudy Green would not speak with me. Mask story: Schaffel, Wiesner and AS1. Adlon Hotel: Schaffel, Wiesner. Martin Bashir: interview with Uri Geller, who introduced them, Schaffel, Wiesner, and Mesereau, and sources below. People v. Jackson: pleadings, testimony, transcript/examination of Bashir. Payments for Home Movies interviews: Schaffel v. Jackson court file. As described in Chapter 20, Bashir used the journalist shield law when asked about refusal to show Jackson footage, etc. Nation of Islam: Schaffel, Wiesner, Mersereau. “Conversion” to Islam: Although at least five newspapers in London and New York reported that MJ had made the shahada at the Hollywood Hills home of Steve Porcaro, the former Toto keyboardist and a Muslim convert, David “Dawud” Wharnsby (credited with urging MJ’s conversion) has issued a statement that he never even met MJ, and Yusef Islam (formerly Cat Stevens, who supposedly witnessed it) flatly denies attending any ceremony where MJ converted to Islam. The Daily News article that infuriated MJ was the “Pedophilia charges ruining his career . . .” one listed below. I should disclose that in the spring of 2010, while negotiating a contract to serve as the host and executive producer of a television show for the Oprah Winfrey Network, I was represented by King’s law firm. That deal had nothing to do with this book.
COURT FILES
Criminal
SBSC 1133603
Civil
SC026226 (Los Angeles Superior Court) J. Chandler, a minor, v. Michael Jackson, September 14, 1993 (hereafter cited as LASC SC026226).
2:04—CV—2977 (United States District Court Eastern District of Louisiana) Joseph Thomas Bartucci, Jr., v. Michael J. Jackson, November 1, 2004.
LASC SC083501.
DOCUMENTS
“RE: Letter of Direction.” Letter from Michael Jackson to Sony/ATV Publishing LLC. December 23, 1998.
“RE: Representation of Michael Jackson and Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC.” Letter from John Branca to Michael Jackson. August 14, 2002 (hereafter cited as Branca to Jackson, 8/14/02).
“RE: Sony/ATV/Leiber-Stoller.” Letter from John Branca to Martin Singer, Esq. August 27, 2002 (hereafter cited as Branca to Singer, 8/7/02).
“RE: Michael Jackson/Sony-ATV Music Publishing.” Letter from Martin D. Singer to John Branca. September 10, 2002 (hereafter cited as Singer to Branca, 9/10/02).
Interfor Report on John Gregory Branca, entered as an exhibit in 1133603 (Santa Barbara Superior Court) The People of the State of California v. Michael Joe Jackson, December 18, 2003; and in BP117321 (Los Angeles Superior Court) Joseph Jackson v. The Estate of Michael Joseph Jackson, November 10, 2009 (hereafter cited as Interfor Report on John Gregory Branca).
“Discontinuance of Service.” Letter from Michael Jackson to John Branca. February 3, 2003 (hereafter cited as Jackson to Branca, 2/3/03).
“RE: Marc Schaffel.” E-mail from Howard King to Randall Sullivan. February 1, 2010 (hereafter cited as King to Sullivan, 2/1/10).
“Statement of Grace Rwaramba” to Los Angeles Police Department. September 12, 2009 (hereafter cited as Rwaramba, 9/12/09).
“Comments/Corrections.” E-mail from Sandi Ribera to Randall Sullivan. November 9, 2011 (hereafter cited as Ribera to Sullivan, 11/9/11).
“Comments/Corrections.” E-mail from Sandi Ribera to Randall Sullivan. November 13, 2011 (hereafter cited as Ribera to Sullivan, 11/13/11).
FROM CALIFORNIA TO BAHRAIN
CIA World Factbook: Bahrain. March 8, 2011.
“Jackson Dropped from Hospital Lawsuit.” Associated Press, April 10, 2008.
“Michael Jackson Sued over Woman’s Death.” Access Hollywood, February 20, 2007.
Van Susteren, Greta. “Dick Gregory: ‘It Happened So Fast.’” On the Record, Fox News, June 26, 2009 (RT).
GRACE RWARAMBA
Barak, Daphne. “Fired Nanny’s First Interview Ever.” daphneBarak.homestread.com (hereafter cited as Barak Rwaramba interview) (I).
Batty, David. “Michael Jackson Nanny Says Star Had Stomach Pumped Many Times: Nanny Gives Grim Account of Singer’s Final Months, Detailing Drug Abuse, Out of Control Spending, and Nomadic Lifestyle. Guardian, June 28, 2009.
Friedman, Roger. “Michael Jackson Can’t Wed Nanny: She’s Married.” Fox News, June 19, 2006 (I).
Gould, Lara, and Will Payne. “Jackson’s Secret Girlfriend Was His Children’s Former Nanny Grace Rwaramba.” Daily Mirror, July 5, 2009.
“Grace Rwaramba’s High School Yearbook.” TMZ (I).
SHEIKH ABDULLAH AND BAHRAIN
(INCLUDING MJ’S “CONVERSION” TO ISLAM)
Adams, William Lee. “Michael Jackson Settles Out of Court with Sheikh.” Time, November 24, 2008.
Booth, Robert, and Michael Cragg. “Michael Jackson, the Sheikh and the Comeback Album That Came Too Late.” Guardian, June 26, 2009.
Foster, Patrick. “Sheikh ‘Wanted Michael Jackson to Sing His Songs.’” Times, November 18, 2008.
“Genealogy of the Al-Khalifa Dynasty.” Royal Ark (I).
Hari, Johann. “The Dark Side of Dubai.” Independent, April 7, 2009.
Howard, Stephen. “Sheikh ‘Felt Personally Betrayed’ by Jackson.” Independent, November 18, 2008 (hereafter cited as Howard, “Personally Betrayed”).
“Jacko Is on the Verge of Converting to Islam.” earthtimes.com, March 30, 2006 (from Panorama) (I).
Lewis, Paul. “Songwriting Sheikh Sues Michael Jackson for 4.7 Million Pounds.” Guardian, November 18, 2008.
“Michael Jackson Impressed by Nakheel Projects.” albawaba.com, September 1, 2005 (I).
“Michael Jackson Visits Kingdom Hall with his Mother.” watchtowerinformationservice.org, June 13, 2005 (I).
Pipes, Daniel. “If the King of Pop Converts to Islam.” New York Sun, March 7, 2006.
“Stacy Brown Interview.” Abrams Report, MSNBC, March 10, 2005 (RT).
Worth, Robert F. “Laid-Off Foreigners Flee as Dubai Spirals Down.” New York Times, February 11, 2009.
BARTUCCI LAWSUIT
Gumbel, Andrew. “Sex, Drugs and Abduction by Limo—the Claims Against Jackso That Even His Enemies Won’t Buy.” Independent, July 31, 2005.
WHAT MORE CAN I GIVE?
Carter, Bill. “At Jackson’s Request, ABC Cuts a Song Out of a Concert Tape.” New York Times, November 1, 2001.
Gundersen, Edna. “Jackson Charity Single Tied Up in Limbo.” USA Today, July 18, 2002.
———. “Jackson’s 9-11 Single Produced by Gay-Porn Maker.” USA Today, July 14, 2002.
———. Michael Jackson Writes, Casts a Benefit Ballad.” USA Today, September 16, 2001.
Philips, Chuck. “New Spin on Collapse of Jackson’s Charity Project.” Los Angeles Times, June 13, 2002.
———. “Producer Sells the Rights to Jackson Project.” Los Angeles Times, July 17, 2002.
JOHN BRANCA
Hillburn, Robert. ““Attorney John Branca: He’s Equally as Brilliant . . .” Billboard, July 21, 1984 (hereafter cited as Hillburn, “Equally as Brilliant”).
Sinberg, Stan. “The Prince of Rock.” California Lawyer, August 2011 (hereafter cited as Sinberg).
SONY/INVINCIBLE/TOMMY MOTTOLA
Guzman, Isaac, George Rush, and Lola Ogunnaike. “Pedophilia Charges Ruining His Career, Says Music Exec.” New York Daily News, July 9, 2002.
Holson, Laura M. “Recording Industry Questions a Bitter Attack by a Pop Star.” New York Times, July 8, 2002 (hereafter cited as Holson, “Bitter Attack”).
———. “Star’s Costs Mount as Album Sales Slump.” New York Times, November 20, 2003.
Holson, Laura M., and Lynette Holloway. “Sony and Its Star Go to War over the Promotion of an Album.” New York Times, July 10, 2002 (hereafter cited as Holson and Holloway, “Sony and Its Star”).
Siklos, Richard. “The fight over Michael Jackson’s Millions.” Fortune, October 23, 2009 (dated November 2009 elsewhere; hereafter cited as Siklos).
MJ FINANCES AND CAREER/SCHAFFEL V. JACKSON
Hong, Peter. “Jackson Trial Ends with Dual Awards.” Los Angeles Times, July 15, 2006.
“Jackson Hit with $3 Million Lawsuit.” Smoking Gun, November 17, 2004 (I).
CASCIOS
Winfrey, Oprah. “The Cascios on Their Secret Friendship with Michael Jackson.” Oprah, December 6, 2010 (hereafter cited as Winfrey, “Secret Friendship”) (RT).
———. “How the Cascios Became Friends with Michael Jackson.” Oprah, December 6, 2010 (hereafter cited as Winfrey, “How the Cascios”) (RT).
BERLIN
“Michael Jackson and Halle Berry Pick Up Bambi Awards in Berlin.” Hello, November 22, 2002.
“Michael Jackson Honored with Germany’s Bambi Award Following Baby Dangling Snafu.” Jet, December 9, 2002.
Vineyard, Jennifer. “Michael Jackson Calls Baby-Dangling Incident a ‘Terrible Mistake.’” MTV, November 20, 2002 (RT).
BASHIR/REBUTTAL VIDEO/NEVERLAND RAID/MUSLIMS/AFTERMATH
Bashir, Martin. “Living with Michael Jackson.” Granada Television, February 6, 2003; rebroadcast in a slightly different version, ABC News, February 6, 2003 (RT).
“Gloria Allred.” vindicatemjj.wordpress.com, March 6, 2012 (I).
Jensen, Elizabeth. “Michael Jackson Close-Up, Times 2.” Los Angeles Times, February 6, 2003.
Roth, Kristin. “Michael Jackson Strikes Back with ‘Take Two’ TV Special: Singer Counters Allegations in Recent TV Documentary with Show of His Own.” MTV, February 12, 2003 (RT).
Silverman, Stephen M. “Michael Jackson Readies Video Rebuttal.” People, February 12, 2003.
“Take Two: The Footage You Were Never Meant to See.” Fox, February 20, 2003.
CHAPTER 2
An essential source for this chapter was Taraborrelli’s The Magic and the Madness. Whether Taraborrelli was as familiar with the Jackson family during their rise to fame as he claims is something I can’t know, but I’ve done my best to check his secondary sources and court files, which seem to have provided a great deal of his material. I’m grateful to Alison Weinflash for providing me with hard copies of every article about MJ that was ever published in Rolling Stone, dating back almost forty years. I found that Taraborrelli had been consistently accurate in his use of the information and quotations from the articles and court files I was able to access. In particular, he drew heavily on Katherine Jackson’s first two divorce filings against Joe Jackson, in 1973 and 1982; the 1976 lawsuit against Berry Gordy and Motown in which MJ was the lead plaintiff; and the 1983 lawsuit filed against MJ by the Carlin Music Corporation. The Motown court file is especially rich with MJ’s descriptions of his early life and career. I did disagree with Taraborrelli on several factual points, noted below. Taraborrelli and I both owe a considerable debt of gratitude to the work of his former colleague at Soul magazine, Judy Spiegelman (she was the reporter to whom ten-year-old MJ insisted he was eight).
I relied extensively on the quotations attributed to Michael in Rabbi Shmuley Boteach’s The Michael Jackson Tapes. I am well aware of the controversy Rabbi Boteach’s book has engendered but reject claims that Boteach invented quotes or tape-recorded MJ without his knowledge. Independent witnesses have assured me that Boteach collected many hours of tape recordings of Michael and that he did so with full consent. I believe in the accuracy of the recorded comments Boteach attributed to MJ and consider them to be, along with the tapes of MJ now in Howard Mann’s possession, the most reliable record of what MJ remembered and believed—far more convincing, in my opinion, than what he wrote in his autobiography Moonwalker.
Among television productions, I want to single out the VH-1 documentary (hosted by Dave Walsh) The Secret Childhood of Michael Jackson, which featured many interviews and affectingly described the emotional damage done to MJ by his father.
Evelyn LeHaie, interviewed in the Times of Northwest Indiana, corrected Taraborrelli on a few points. LeHaie said the Big Top was a department store, not a grocery, where she was putting on a fashion show, for example; she also said the group was calling itself the Jackson Brothers by the time of that first gig and that she was the one who put on that first citywide talent show the group won a short time later.
MJ dancing to the washing machine/“Climb Ev’ry Mountain” anecdote (which Jermaine, to Larry King, placed at PTA meeting): Katherine Jackson’s My Family. Tito’s recollections, Etta James anecdote: Taraborrelli. MJ’s description of Joe as father: his own words in Boteach, to Oprah Winfrey, and in tape-recorded interviews that now belong to Howard Mann. “He told me how to work the stage . . .”: to Gerri Hirshey/Rolling Stone; “if you didn’t do it the right way”: MJ to Martin Bashir. Quotes from Michael (“I’d be sleeping . . .”/“It makes me shy . . .”) re. the Jacksons’s early career: MJ to Paul Theroux. “If I did a great show . . .”: MJ’s Oxford Union speech. Joe never telling MJ he was loved: Oxford Union speech, Boteach. MJ quote about staring out at the playground across the street: MJ to Boteach (p. 73). “They were so big . . .”: KJ to Mark Bego. Gordon Keith’s description of the Jackson 5’s audition: interview on “Gordon Keith” Wikipedia entry, run by Katherine Jackson for verification. Motown/Gordy: As above, plus Raynoma Gordy Singleton.
COURT FILES
Civil
42680 (Los Angeles Superior Court) Katherine Jackson v. Joseph Jackson, March 9, 1973 (first divorce filing; hereafter cited as LASC 42680).
C139795 (Los Angeles Superior Court) Michael Jackson et al. v. Motown Record Corporation of California et al., March 30, 1976 (hereafter cited as LASC C139795).
D076606 (Los Angeles Superior Court) Katherine Jackson v. Joseph Jackson, November 12, 1982 (second divorce filing; hereafter cited as LASC D076606).
C347206 (Los Angeles Superior Court) Carlin Music Corporation v. Michael Jackson, February 28, 1983 (hereafter cited as LASC C347206).
DOCUMENTS
Raw interview footage directed and provided to the author by Howard Mann, intending for Stealing Michael Jackson, a documentary that was never completed.
Ribera to Sullivan, 11/9/11.
Ribera to Sullivan, 11/13/11.
WIKIPEDIA
“Gordon Keith.”
JOE JACKSON/UPBRINGING
Byrne, Bridget. “Michael Jackson.” Los Angeles Times Magazine, October 1, 1987.
“Oprah Talks to Michael Jackson’s Mother, Katherine, and Visits with His Children.” oprah.com, November 8, 2010 (hereafter cited as Winfrey, “Katherine and children”) (I).
Walsh, Dave, Walter Yetnikoff, Theresa Gonsalves, J. Randy Taraborrelli, et al. “Michael Jackson’s Secret Childhood.” VH-1, February 7, 2005 (hereafter cited as VH-1, “Secret Childhood”) (RT).
White, Timothy. “The Man in the Mirror.” Penthouse, March 1987.
Winfrey, Oprah. “Katherine Jackson–Oprah Interview.” youtube.com, November 24, 2010.
——— “Michael Jackson Interview with Oprah: Parts 1–8.” youtube.com, posted July 5, 2009. Interview took place February 10, 1993.
JACKSON 5/MICHAEL’S EARLY CAREER
Deavers, Melissa. “Valpo Resident Who Named Jackson Five Recalls Time with Michael.” Northwest Indiana Times, June 28, 2009.
Fong-Torres, Ben. “The Jackson 5: The Men Don’t Know but Little Girls Understand.” Rolling Stone, April 29, 1971.
Hirshey, Gerri. “Michael Jackson—Life in the Magical Kingdom.” Rolling Stone, February 1983 (hereafter cited as Hirshey 2/83).
“The Jackson Five.” Look, August 25, 1970.
King, Larry. “Interview with Jermaine Jackson.” Larry King Live, CNN, November 30, 2003 (RT).
Spiegelman, Judy. “A Close-Up of Jackie.” Soul, June 15, 1970.
———. “Jackson Five Finish Concert Tour.” Soul, October 1, 1971.
———. “Jackson Five vs. Osmond Brothers.” Soul, March 22, 1971.
———. “Jermaine Jackson.” Soul, July 13, 1970.
———. “The Many Sides of Tito Jackson.” Soul, June 29, 1970.
———. “Marlon Jackson: To Know Him . . .” Soul, July 27, 1970.
———. “Michael and Marlon Tell All . . .” Soul, August 6, 1973.
———. “Toriano Jackson: His Many Moods.” Soul, September, 1971.
———. “What Does the Future Hold for the Jackson Five?” Soul, February 14, 1972.
Theroux, Paul. “My Trip to Neverland, and the Call from Michael Jackson I’ll Never Forget.” Daily Telegraph, June 27, 2009 (hereafter cited as Theroux).
OBITUARIES AND RETROSPECTIVES
Boucher, Geoff, and Elaine Woo. “Michael Jackson: Michael Jackson’s Life Was Infused with Fantasy and Tragedy.” Los Angeles Times, June 26, 2009.
“Michael Jackson’s Life and Legacy: The Eccentric King of Pop (1986–1999).” VH1.com, July 2, 2009.
Pareles, Jon. “Tricky Steps from Boy to Superstar.” New York Times, June 26, 2009.
Shanahan, Mark, and Meredith Golstein. “Remembering Michael.” Boston Globe, June 27, 2009.
CHAPTER 3
Interviews: AS1 described nearly every one of the events I’ve written about in this chapter. Additional interviews: Howard King (countersuit vs. Schaffel, audio tapes, Wiesner suit), Tohme (Sheikh Abdullah), Wiesner (his lawsuit). “The positive and the negative”/Billy Elliot quotes: Mark Lester to Elizabeth Sanderson. “Pretty tolerant of everybody”: King. Abdullah on “He Who Makes the Sky Gray”: Almezel/Gulf News. “Ladies toilet incident”/aftermath: AS1, Tohme, sources below. Tohme said he had a photo of MJ in his abaya but I never saw it. Death of Bill Bray/“cried alone in his room”: AS1. Segye Times suit: court file, Taraborrelli, interview with Perry Sanders, details verified by Sandra Ribera. MJ not wanting to do the moonwalk at fifty: Wiesner.
COURT FILES
Civil
CV 90 4906 KN (United States District Court for the Central District of California) Segye Times, Inc., v. Joseph Jackson, Katherine Jackson, Jackson Records Company, Inc., Jackson Family Concerts International, Jerome Howard, Kyu-Sun Choi, Mi Rae Choi, Michael Jackson, Jermaine Jackson, Bill Bray, and Ben Brown dba Jackson Marketing and Distributing Company, October 17, 1990 (hereafter cited as USDC-CA CV 90 4906).
LASC SC083501.
DOCUMENTS
Ribera to Sullivan, 11/9/11.
Ribera to Sullivan, 11/13/11.
King to Sullivan, 2/1/10.
LONDON STAYOVER/MARK LESTER
“Michael Jackson Lawyer Rejects Mark Lester Claim He Is Paris’ Father.” Daily Telegraph, August 10, 2009.
Sanderson, Elizabeth. “Michael Jackson Asked If I Wanted to Be Blanket’s Godfather: Friend Mark Lester Gives a Touching Insight into the Tortured Singer.” Daily Mail, June 27, 2009 (hereafter cited as Sanderson).
Thompson, Jody. “Michael Jackson’s Close Friend Mark Lester Says He’s Spoken to the Star’s Children Since His Death and ‘They Are Fine.’” mirror.co.uk, June 29, 2009 (I).
SCHAFFEL/WIESNER/KING/ANTI-SEMITISM CHARGES
“ADL Demands Michael Jackson Apology.” Associated Press, November 23, 2005 (I).
Hiscock, John. “The Baffling Case of Jacko, Gay Porn King and Bags of Cash.” Independent, July 2, 2006.
Masters, Kim. “Michael Jackson’s Strange Final Days Revealed in Dueling Lawsuits.” Hollywood Reporter, July 19, 2012.
“Michael Jackson Admitted: ‘I Took Painkiller Medication’ in Lawsuit Evidence.” Daily Telegraph, September 15, 2009.
“Michael Jackson Pleads for Money on Tapes.” Good Morning America, ABC, November 22, 2005 (RT).
Riemenschneider, Chris. “Jackson Will Re-Record ‘Care’ Lyrics. Pop Music: Michael Jackson Apologizes and Says He Plans to Change the Words in ‘They Don’t Care About Us’ That Some Considered to be Racial Slurs.” Los Angeles Times, June 23, 1995.
Smith, Dinitia. “Jackson Plans New Lyrics for Album.” New York Times, June 23, 1995.
———. “Michael Jackson Apologizes for Hurt Caused by Lyrics.” New York Times, June 17, 1995.
Weinraub, Bernard. “In New Lyrics, Jackson Uses Slurs.” New York Times, June 15, 1995.
———. “Jewish Response to Jackson.” New York Times, June 16, 1995.
BAHRAIN/CHARITY RECORD/SHEIKH ABDULLAH
Al Mezel, Mohammad. “Michael Jackson Attends Dubai Desert Rally Awards Tuesday,” Gulf News, November 14, 2005.
———. “Song Calling for World Peace to Be Launched.” Gulf News, November 15, 2006.
Tumposky, Ellen. “Lawyer: Michael Jackson to Testify in His Defense in Lawsuit Filed by Prince of Bahrain.” New York Daily News, November 20, 2008.
BILL BRAY
Friedman, Roger. “Jacko Loses Daddy No. 2.” Fox News, November 16, 2005 (I).
“Thread—Michael, Bill Bray, Bob Jones: What Happened?” positivelymichael.com (I).
“Statement of Michael Jackson Regarding the Death of Mr. Bill Bray.” MJPortal.com, November 19, 2005 (PR).
TOILET CROSS-DRESSING INCIDENT
Agarib, Amira. “Michael Jackson’s Toilet Faux Pas in Dubai.” khaleejtimesonline.com, November 13, 2005 (I).
“Caught in a Toilet: Arab Women Go Berserk Against Michael Jackson.” Evening Post, November 15, 2005.
“Michael Jackson Caught Applying Makeup in Ladies Toilet.” Evening Post, November 14, 2005.
“Michael Jackson to Build Mosque in His New Home of Dubai—Ladies Room Cross-Dressing Incident Leads to Demands He Be Jailed.” militantislammonitor.org, November 27, 2009 (I).
CHAPTER 4
The famous speech at Oxford was written by Rabbi Boteach, as the rabbi ultimately acknowledged, “based on” his conversations with MJ. MJ’s assertion that he never had a childhood was made many times, but I chose the one from the Oxford speech. Boteach and I exchanged a couple of e-mails, but never spoke.
KJ background, Jehovah’s Witnesses, KJ and early Jackson 5: Taraborrelli, Mrs. Jackson’s 1990 book, The Jacksons—My Family. “Kattie B. Screws”: a source who did not want to be quoted by name. Michael/Jehovah’s Witnesses: MJ’s statements/writings, Beliefnet essay, MJ to Boteach. KJ and Joe/infidelity: Taraborrelli, Boteach, off-record sources. KJ “an abused woman”: Sanders, Ribera. MJ young life on the road, strip clubs, etc., and parents (“the only person . . .”, “would never touch me or hold me . . .”, “I did not want to go”, “Joseph,” “. . . I will drop you like a hot potato”), Joe’s beatings: Boteach. Groupies: MJ to Oprah, KJ divorce filings, Taraborrelli, Tohme. MJ reading to the prostitutes from his Bible: The Secret Childhood of Michael Jackson (see Chapter 2 notes). Jacksons/Motown, move to CBS: Taraborrelli, Motown case file. MJ/lothario stories, O’Neal: Taraborrelli, Secret Childhood of Michael Jackson (see Chapter 2 notes). New York/Studio 54: as below, and my one visit to the club. I recommend the Web site lacienegasmiled.wordpress.com for reminiscences about MJ and photos of MJ. Destiny: Taraborrelli, court files in re. Motown and Carlin Music. MJ’s sexuality/gay rumors: interviews, including AS1, CS1, Schaffel, Wiesner, and Tohme; MJ to Boteach; Taraborrelli, Secret Childhood (see Chapter 2 notes), Oprah interview and accompanying articles. Quincy Jones quotes/Off the Wall: Jones LA Times essay, except “innocence”: Wall Street Journal; “driven” and “determined”: Haley/Playboy. According to Jones (in LA Times) he suggested that MJ should include “a black ‘My Sharona’ ” on Thriller and MJ himself brought back “Beat It.” Hiring of John Branca: Branca interviews in Taraborrelli. Hilburn remarks: his LA Times article. Condo: Schaffel, KJ advisor interviews. Gerri Hirshey’s first article about MJ for Rolling Stone (see Chapter 2 notes) probably moved me more than anything I had ever read or heard about MJ up to that time; he opened up to her as he perhaps did to no other interviewer. Yetnikoff remarks: Secret Childhood (see Chapter 2 notes). Hayvenhurst: Hirshey (see Chapter 2 notes). La Toya on MJ working on Thriller, interview quoted by Taraborrelli. Thriller: Taraborrelli, esp. Branca interviews, Playboy, Jones/LA Times, Landis interview/Daily Telegraph; quotes from Swedien: interviews, Yetnikoff: Taraborrelli, Hoefflin: his Web site, except “three minutes”: Sun interview. The Web site quotes may have been from an earlier interview but were not attributed. “Billie Jean”/groupies and Jones’s wanting it off the album: 1996 MJ interview in Thailand, cited as rerun on MTV. MJ borrowing KJ’s jacket: Jermaine, interviewed by Jimmy Fallon (see contactmusic.com cite). Leaving Jehovah’s Witnesses: MJ (esp. Beliefnet essay), Jehovah’s Witness publications, La Toya, Firpo Carr. MJ on “pioneering”: Oxford Union speech; Cain and Abel, etc.: Boteach. KJ/birthday gifts: AS1, Secret Childhood (see Chapter 2 notes). MJ on loneliness, wandering the streets, approaching strangers, party life, Disneyland: quotes from Boteach. AS1 told me how MJ loved to ride the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction at Disneyland over and over, and about being led around the park through secret passageways by security staff. There’s a marvelously weird “Michael Jackson Disneyland Sightings” folder at rhythmofthetide.com that includes much of this material.
Joe Jackson/“white help,” MJ reply: Billboard. Joe’s financial difficulties/concealment of assets: CS1, 1982 divorce action, 1999 bankruptcy filing, Tarraborrelli. JJ fired as manager: CS1. Frank Dileo: obituaries below, Taraborrelli. I never spoke to Dileo; at almost the moment I reached out to him he lapsed into a coma. I did speak to his wife Linda, but that had to do with events surrounding the “This Is It” concerts, his health problems, and his relationship with John Branca.
Victory tour/KJ intervention: Taraborrelli, Mrs. Jackson’s attorneys. Delsener and Cooley/crowd safety, Don King problems: Rolling Stone “Trouble in Paradise” article. Brooke Shields/tongue: AS1, La Toya/Growing Up. lacienegasmiled.wordpress.com’s Brooke Shields file contains nearly every word published on the relationship.
COURT FILES
Civil
LASC 42680.
LASC C139795.
LASC D076606.
LASC C347206.
05113 (Los Angeles Superior Court) Petition to Nullify Marriage, Janet Dameta DeBarge, January 30, 1985 (hereafter cited as LASC 05113).
D157554 (Los Angeles Superior Court) Enid Jackson v. Sigmund E. Jackson (aka Jackie Jackson), January 8, 1986 (hereafter cited as LASC D157554).
D202224 (Los Angeles Superior Court) Hazel Gordy Jackson v. Jermaine Jackson, October 9, 1987 (hereafter cited as LASC D202224).
USDC-CA CV 90 4906.
LASC SC083501.
DOCUMENTS
Ribera to Sullivan, 11/9/11.
Ribera to Sullivan, 11/13/11.
JACKSON FAMILY/EARLY YEARS AT MOTOWN
“Can Michael Jackson’s Demons Be Explained?” BBC, June 27, 2009 (RT).
Hilburn, Robert. “Michael Jackson: The Wounds, the Broken Heart.” LATimes.com, June 27, 2009 (I) (hereafter cited as Hilburn, “The Wounds”).
Jackson, Michael. “My Childhood, My Sabbath, My Freedom.” Beliefnet, December, 2000 (I).
MJ IN NEW YORK/THE WIZ/STUDIO 54
Canby, Vincent. “When Budgets Soar over the Rainbow.” New York Times, November 26, 1978.
MJ’S DEVELOPMENT AS A SOLO ARTIST/OFF THE WALL
Fusilli, Jim. “Quincy Jones on How Michael Jackson Did It.” Wall Street Journal, July 1, 2009.
Haley, Alex. “The Playboy Interview: Quincy Jones.” Playboy, July 1990.
Jones, Quincy. “Quincy Jones on Michael Jackson: ‘We Made History Together.’” Los Angeles Times, June 29, 2009.
THRILLER TIME/FRANK DILEO
“Bruce Swedien on Thriller.” GearSlutz, January, 2009.
Glentzer, Molly. “The Steps That Made Michael Jackson Great.” Houston Chronicle, July 1, 2009.
Hillburn, Robert. “CBS Group President Walter Yetnikoff . . .” Billboard, July 21, 1984.
———. “An Interview with Quincy Jones . . .” Billboard, July 21, 1984.
———. “Manager Frank Dileo: Taking Care of Business . . .” Billboard, July 21, 1984.
———. “The Saga of Michael Jackson.” Billboard, July 21, 1984.
“Michael Jackson Dances Alone.” Rolling Stone, February 17, 1983.
“Michael Jackson Wore Mother’s Jacket for Moonwalk Debut.” Contactmusic.com, June 28, 2012.
Noland, Claire. “Frank Dileo Dies at 63; Michael Jackson’s Manager.” Los Angeles Times, August 25, 2011 (hereafter cited as Noland).
Pond, Steve. “Former Motown Stars Return for Birthday Bash.” Rolling Stone, May 26, 1983.
Senior, Mike. “Bruce Swedien: Recording Michael Jackson, Legendary Engineer on Thriller,” Sound on Sound, November 2009.
Sisario, Ben. “Frank Dileo, Michael Jackson’s Manager, Dies at 63.” New York Times, August 24, 2011 (hereafter cited as Sisario 8/24/11).
“Three Minutes to Pen ‘Billie.’” The Sun, July 26, 2009.
Vena, Jocelyn. “Michael Jackson Answers Fan Questions in 1996 Thailand Interview.” mtv.com, July 6, 2009 (I).
Williams, Janette. “Michael Jackson Left Indelible Mark on Pasadena.” Whittier Daily News, June 25, 2009.
———. “Michael Jackson Stopped the Party Cold.” USA Today, April 11, 1984.
“THRILLER” VIDEO/JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES
Carr, Firpo. “Michael Jackson and Jehovah’s Witnesses.” Los Angeles Sentinel, July 23, 2009.
Lee, Marc. “Michael Jackson’s Thriller, Interview with Director John Landis.” Daily Telegraph, July 8, 2007 (hereafter cited as Lee, “Landis”).
“Michael Jackson Interview.” Awake! May 22, 1984.
VICTORY TOUR/DON KING/MJ’S SEPARATION FROM BROTHERS
Goldberg, Michael, and Christopher Connelly. “Trouble in Paradise.” Rolling Stone, March 15, 1984.
Swertlow, Frank. “How Michael Jackson and Don King Get Along.” Los Angeles Herald Examiner, March 3, 1984.
PEPSI SET ACCIDENT/BURNS
Cackler, Jaime. “Jackson’s Burns Caused by Bad Timing.” Los Angeles Herald Examiner, January 30, 1984.
Seiler, Michael. “Pop Star Michael Jackson Burned.” Los Angeles Times, January 28, 1984.
Townsend, Dorothy. “Singer Michael Jackson Released . . .” Los Angeles Times, January 29, 1984.
Woodyard, Chris. “Michael Jackson Seriously Burned . . .” Los Angeles Herald Examiner, January 28, 1984.
Yorkin, Nicole. “Jackson Released from Burn Center.” Los Angeles Herald Examiner, January 29, 1984.
Zoglin, Richard. “Too Much Risk on the Set?” Time, February 13, 1984.
ECCENTRICITIES/WACKO JACKO
McGrory, Mary. “Reagan Has Moves Michael Might Envy.” Los Angeles Times, May 16, 1984.
“Why Michael Hid Out in a White House Men’s Room, and Other Tales of the Day Power Played Host to Fame.” People, May 28, 1984.
RODNEY ALLEN RIPPY
“Rodney Allen Rippy Talks About His Friend Michael Jackson.” KABC–Los Angeles, June 26, 2009.
EMMANUEL LEWIS
Hall, Jane. “Emmanuel Lewis Got a Boost from Michael Jackson, but as Webster He Stands on His Own.” People, April 9, 1984 (hereafter cited as Hall, “Emmanuel Lewis”).
TATUM O’NEAL
“Michael Denies Sex Change; Says He Is Not Gay and Did Not Swim Nude with Tatum O’Neal.” Jet, September 22, 1977.
Stern, Marlow. “Tatum O’Neal Opens Up.” Daily Beast, June 14, 2011 (I).
“Tatum O’Neal Contradicts Jackson’s Seduction Story.” WCVB-TV, February 10, 2003 (RT).
“Tatum’s Tell-All Teaser Released.” Sydney Morning Herald, October 13, 2004.
BROOKE SHIELDS
“Archive for the ‘1981–1984 Brooke Shields’ Category.” lacienegasmiled.wordpress.com, December 21, 2009 (hereafter cited as lacienegasmiled.wordpress.com Brooke Shields) (I).
BAD/ALBUM, VIDEO, AND TOUR
DeCurtis, Anthony. “Michael Debuts His New Show in Kansas City.” Rolling Stone, April 7, 1988.
Goldberg, Michael, and Christopher Connelly. “Is Michael for Real?” Rolling Stone, September 24, 1987.
Hilburn, Robert. “A Good—and Bad—Night.” Los Angeles Times, March 4, 1988 (hereafter cited as Hilburn, “Good—and Bad—Night”).
McKenna, Krista. “The Moonwalker’s Strange Quest for Perfection.” Los Angeles Times, November 6, 1988 (hereafter cited as McKenna).
Steigerwald, Bill. “Buckle Debacle.” Los Angeles Times, November 8, 1987.
CHAPTER 5
MJ/ Sony Dubai meeting: AS2, who was involved, and AS1; O’Brien, Siklos (see Chapter 1 notes), Duhigg. Wilkinson and Crawford were the first to warn of MJ financial distress. “Psychologically shattered”: Mesereau interview. ATV catalog acquisition: see Chapter 6. Paul McCartney: McCartney interview/Rolling Stone; additional quotes: Jack Doyle/pophistorydig.com, Taraborrelli. McCartney’s role in acquisition of Beatles catalog: MTV McCartney biography, Letterman interview. MJ/Tommy Mottola/determination to hold on to Sony/ATV share: AS1 and AS2; Maureen Orth “Neverland CSI” article tells it similarly. “Jacko Bombshell” impact on MJ: AS1.
Bahrain/Christmas, Dubai, $250,000 from Abdullah, Cascio and Lester visits: AS1, court evidence/testimony before High Court, November 2008; including Grace Rwaramba account, Lester interviews. Frank Cascio/pranking: Boteach; water-balloon fights: VIBE. “Mounting impatience,” 2 Seas Records, Katrina song: High Court trial in London, AS1 and AS2, Tohme. Abdullah quotes: Linda Deutsch/Associated Press interview with MJ/Abdullah. This was MJ’s only interview with a U.S. journalist during his time in Bahrain; Tohme and Mesereau both told me that MJ was rewarding her for treating him fairly during his criminal trial.
Orlando: AS1. David Siegel quotes: “The Timeshare Authority” interview; he didn’t respond to my request for an interview. Jane Carter quote: Bryan Burrough’s “Mad About the Boys,” the comprehensive account of Lou Pearlman’s fall. Orlando was among the few of MJ’s movements not described by the “Michael Jackson Timeline,” an indication to me that MJ was keeping it on the down low. Pearlman said he was “negotiating” a deal with MJ that seemed to involve a good deal more than the Katrina record (Pearlman local Orlando TV interview), but I relied mainly upon AS1 in reporting that MJ left Florida quickly after getting wind of the Pearlman investigation.
Abdullah quotes on MJ’s return to Bahrain: High Court testimony. Legacy of “We Are the World”: AS1, Wiesner. “A black hole for Michael watchers”: Hirshey, “The Sound of One Glove Clapping.” Yetnikoff quote: The Secret Childhood of Michael Jackson (see Chapter 2 notes). Other “We Are the World” sources below; the anecdote about MJ needing a young friend to tell him who Michael Jordan is: Bob Jones, The Man Behind the Mask.
SONY/DUBAI MEETING/REFINANCING OF DEBT
Crawford, Krysten. “Michael Jackson to Lose Beatles Catalog?” Money, May 5, 2005.
Duhigg, Charles. “Michael Jackson Advisors Try to Stave Off Default.” Los Angeles Times, December 21, 2005.
O’Brien, Timothy. “What Happened to the Fortune Michael Jackson Made?” New York Times, May 14, 2006 (hereafter cited as O’Brien).
Orth, Maureen. “C.S.I. Neverland.” Vanity Fair, July 2005 (hereafter cited as Orth 7/05).
Wilkinson, Peter. “Is the King of Pop Going Broke?” Rolling Stone, April 25, 2002.
ATV CATALOG/PAUL MCCARTNEY
Doyle, Jack. “Michael and McCartney.” Pophistorydig.com, July 7, 2009 (I).
Hilburn, Robert. “The Long and Winding Road.” Los Angeles Times, September 22, 1985 (hereafter cited as Hilburn, “Long and Winding Road”).
McCartney, Paul, interviewed by David Letterman. Late Show with David Letterman. CBS, July 15, 2009 (RT).
“Paul McCartney Biography.” MTV, March 3, 2009 (RT).
White, Timothy. “Paul McCartney: A Backstage Look at His U.S. Tour.” Rolling Stone, January 8, 1990.
BAHRAIN/SHEIKH ABDULLAH/HURRICANE KATRINA
SONG/CHRISTMAS GATHERING
Bain, Raymone. “Michael Jackson Statement on Drug Overdose Rumors.” December 10, 2005 (PR) (hereafter cited as Bain, “Overdose Rumors”).
Basnett, Guy. “I’m the Real Father of Michael Jackson’s Girl, Claims Mark Lester.” News of the World, August 9, 2009.
Butterfield, Alan. “Jacko Bombshell.” National Enquirer, December 9, 2005 (hereafter cited as Butterfield, “Bombshell”).
Deutsch, Linda. “Six Months Later, Jackson’s Katrina Song Ready.” Associated Press, February 17, 2006.
“Jackson’s Katrina Song Said to Be Ready.” Billboard.com, June 23, 2007 (I).
Sanderson.
“Unbreakable: Michael Jackson Interview.” VIBE, March 2002.
Winfrey, “How the Cascios.” (RT)
Winfrey, “Secret Friendship” (RT)
ORLANDO VISIT/LOU PEARLMAN
“Boy Band Founder to Plead Guilty in $300M Suit.” Associated Press, March 4, 2008.
Burrough, Bryan. “Mad About the Boys.” Vanity Fair, November 2007.
“Jackson Considered Moving to Orlando.” Fox News 13, June 27, 2009 (RT).
Tremblay, Jason. “Orlando Timeshare Developer Played Landlord to Michael Jackson.” Timeshare Authority, July 3, 2009.
“WE ARE THE WORLD”
Hillburn, Robert. “Behind the Scene of a Pop Miracle.” Los Angeles Times, March 24, 1985.
Hirshey, Gerri. “The Sound of One Glove Clapping.” Rolling Stone, January 1986.
Loder, Kurt, and Michael Goldberg. “Inside the USA for Africa Sessions.” Rolling Stone, March 28, 1985.
CHAPTER 6
Break from Quincy Jones: confidential sources, Jones–Katie Couric interview; from Dileo: confidential sources, Taraborrelli, Dileo obituaries. Snake anecdote: Dileo interview in Taraborrelli. John Branca: Hilburn/“. . . equally as brilliant (see Chapter 1 notes),” Taraborrelli, for whom Branca was a major source. Acquisition of the Beatles catalog: Hilburn, Knoedelseder/LA Times, Branca California Lawyer profile (from which Branca quotes come), Taraborrelli, other sources as below. Sony/ATV letters in “Documents” (confirm cause and nature of agreement under which MJ and Sony exchanged majority/minority positions in the deal, and Branca as main MJ-Sony liaison until 2003 dismissal): Joe Jackson’s suit against the executors of the Michael Jackson estate. Quotes from Branca (“Part of him may be a ten-year-old . . .”), Dileo (“a cross between ET and Howard Hughes”): 1980s interviews quoted by Taraborrelli from a British newspaper. Neverland Ranch purchase: Taraborrelli. Description of Neverland: Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s department video. Dangerous LA Times quote: Chris Willman; Ron Wilcox Sony quote: 1991 Hilburn/Phillips LATimes article.
Michael’s financial transactions, amassing and squandering wealth: Avram lawsuit, press coverage, esp. Siklos (see Chapter 1 notes), O’Brien (see Chapter 5 notes), Orth. Schaffel quote: interview. MJ on Chandler scandal: Boteach. For the Chandler affair generally see Chapter 16 and its source notes. Dan Beck quote: O’Brien/New York Times (see Chapter 5 notes). Sony/ATV renegotiation/expansion: AS2, CS2, Tohme, Hawk, Mann, Sanders; Joe Jackson suit against estate executors; un-bylined Rolling Stone, the New York Times, and Jet articles; TheWrap.com series on MJ/Branca. Film/video projects: AS2, CS2, Schaffel, Wiesner; MJ to Boteach; O’Brien (see Chapter 5 notes), Day. Loan refinancing agreements: Avram case file, with Myung Ho Lee interviews and additional info from Orth “Losing His Grip.” These renegotiated loans also constituted a major point of discussion on talks I had with two attorneys who were considering filing lawsuits against John Branca and the Michael Jackson estate.
Al Malnik quotes: deposition in the Avram lawsuit. Boteach on MJ’s extravagance: The Michael Jackson Tapes (p. 30). Celebrity Costumes bill: evidence in Avram lawsuit. $75,000 perfume: Fragrance Depot Web site (not known whether the purchase definitely occurred or he merely allowed it to be reported). Purchases and nonpayments: Orth, from Avram trial evidence. Description as “bizarre” of projects introduced by MJ’s advisors including Wiesner/Konitzer: Malnik deposition. Wiesner and his former associate Ronald Konitzer obviously do not agree with suggestions that they took advantage of MJ financially. Dieter emphatically denied it to me in an interview, and neither man has ever been charged with any crime in connection to their involvement with MJ. Michael LaPerruque: Gerald Posner, police investigators in Santa Barbara County. Joey Jeszeck and Chris Carter: Posner, based mainly on information from People v. Jackson; Jeszeck’s and Carter’s interviews with investigators are part of the court file. Chris Carter: Las Vegas daily newspapers, via Posner’s “Jackson’s Shady Inner Circle,” People v. Jackson court file, coroner’s and LAPD investigations included in People v. Murray. Backerman quotes: the Sun (of London). Backerman forced out by the Nation of Islam: Schaffel. Avram trial info and forensic accountant’s report: the court file. Schaffel’s quotes: interviews; Dieter Wiesner confirmed the story of money advanced at the casino in Las Vegas.
COURT FILES
Civil
BD 497718 (Santa Barbara County Superior Court) Marcel Avram v. Michael Jackson, June 14, 2000.
DOCUMENTS
“RE: Operating Agreement.” Letter from Michael Jackson to Sony/ATV Publishing LLC. November 7, 1995.
“RE: Representation of Michael Jackson and Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC.” Letter from John Branca to Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC. August 14, 2002 (hereafter cited as Branca to Sony/ATV, 8/14/02).
Singer to Branca, 9/10/02.
BEATLES CATALOG/SONY-ATV
Brown, Mick. “Michael Jackson, Death by Show Business.” Daily Telegraph, June 27, 2009.
Hillburn. “Long and Winding Road.”
Knoedelseder, William. “Beatles Song Catalogue Acquired.” Los Angeles Times, August 15, 1985.
“Michael Jackson and Sony Enter Joint Publishing Venture Valued at $600 million.” Jet, November 27, 1995.
“Michael Jackson Buys Rights to Eminem Tunes and More.” Rolling Stone, May 31, 2007.
“Michael Jackson Sells Beatles Songs to Sony.” New York Times, November 8, 1995.
Sinberg.
QUINCY JONES, FRANK DILEO, JOHN BRANCA, AND DAVID GEFFEN
Couric, Katie. “Quincy Jones: ‘I Miss My Little Brother.’” CBS News, July 8, 2009 (RT).
Grover, Ronald. “David Geffen Tries Out a New Act.” Business Week, June 29, 1992.
Noland.
Rosenfield, Paul. “David Is Goliath.” Vanity Fair, March, 1991.
Roberts, Johnnie L. “Michael Jackson Nearly Lost His Prized Music Catalog.” The Wrap, December 5, 2010. (I).
Sisario 8/24/11.
CAREER/DECLINE
Christgau, Robert. “Michael Jackson Albums Review.” robertchristgau.com (I).
Goldberg, Michael. “Michael Jackson: The Making of the King of Pop.” Rolling Stone, January 9, 1992.
Hirshey, Gerri. “Michael Jackson.” Rolling Stone, June 11, 1992.
Harrington, Richard. “Jackson’s ‘Dangerous’ Departures; Stylistic Shifts Mar His First Album in 4 Years.” Washington Post, November 24, 1991.
Orth, Maureen. “Losing His Grip.” Vanity Fair, April 2003 (hereafter cited as Orth 4/03).
Pareles, Jon. “Michael Jackson in the Electronic Wilderness.” New York Times, November 24, 1991.
Stevenson, Richard W. “‘Thriller,’ Can Michael Jackson Beat It?” New York Times, November 10, 1991.
Willman, Chris. “Michael Jackson’s ‘Dangerous’: Michael Jackson Serves Up Something for Everyone in His Relatively Tame—and Wildly Unfocused—New Album.” Los Angeles Times, November 24, 1991.
WEALTH/SPENDING/FINANCIAL EXCESS AND DEBT
Day, Elizabeth. “Off the Wall, but Still Invincible.” Guardian, March 8, 2009 (hereafter cited as Day, “Off the Wall”).
Hillburn, Robert, and Chuck Philips. “Sony Deal Will Give Jackson Big Share of His Own Success.” Los Angeles Times, June 18, 1991.
Leeds, Jeff, and Andrew Ross Sorkin. “Michael Jackson Bailout Said to Be Close.” New York Times, April 13, 2006 (hereafter cited as Leeds and Sorkin).
“$100,000 Michael Jackson the King of Pop Fragrance.” Fragrance Depot, October 8, 1998 (I).
Posner, Gerald. “Jackson’s Shady Inner Circle.” Daily Beast, July 10, 2009 (I) (hereafter cited as Posner, “Inner circle”).
———. “Michael’s Missing Millions.” Daily Beast, August 2, 2009 (I) (hereafter cited as Posner “Missing Millions”).
OTHER
Boucher, Geoff. “To Michael Jackson on his 45th Birthday.” Los Angeles Times, September 1, 2003.
“Michael Jackson Adviser Says Nation of Islam Took Over His Life.” Sun, July 7, 2009.
CHAPTER 7
Sheikh Abdullah’s displeasure: AS1, Tohme’s account of visit to Bahrain, Sheikh Abdullah and Grace Rwaramba testimony at the High Court trial. Trip to Germany: AS1.
Anton Glanzelius/Sweden material and quotes: Glanzelius Göteborgs-Posten interview. Schleiter stay, Wolfgang Schleiter: AS1, Friedman. MJ/Germany generally: Wiesner, Kloth. Italy and London: AS1. Mesereau’s resignation as MJ’s attorney: interviews, plus press release. MJ’s return to Bahrain: AS1, testimony at the High Court trial, Tohme. Chris Tucker quote: Playboy. Tony Buzan/mind mapping: AS1, Buzan in UK press, payment information from High Court case. Buzan’s quotes: unbylined Sunday Times article “The extraordinary life of Michael Jackson’s children.” Manama airport/OxyContin: AS1, Sunday Times. Abdullah (with Jermaine Jackson’s encouragement) pushing 2 Seas deal signing: AS1, AS2, Tohme; quotes and specific info: press release. MJ-Abdullah strained conversations: AS1, Tohme; Rwaramba to Barak (see Chapter 1 notes); testimony at High Court trial. MJ’s complaints about shuttling from property to property: Rwaramba to Barak. Second deposition in London: Schaffel, King. Departure from Bahrain for Japan: Abdullah and Rwaramba testimony at High Court trial.
BAHRAIN/ABDULLAH
Fleming, Michael. “Playboy Interview: Chris Tucker.” Playboy, August, 2007.
Leeds and Sorkin.
“Thomas Mesereau Releases Statement.” February 24, 2006 (PR).
“Raymone Bain Releases Statement.” March 17, 2006 (PR).
GERMANY/THE ANTONS
Friedman, Roger. “Jackson Staying at Home of Wolfgang Schleiter.” Fox News, January 30, 2006 (I).
“Interview with MJ’s Former Pal, Anton Glanzelius of My Life as a Dog Fame.” Göteborgs-Posten, June 27, 2009.
Kloth, Hans Michael. “Deutschland’s King of Pop.” Spiegel Online, June 29, 2009 (I).
“Michael Jackson Visits Germany.” Hello! January 30, 2006.
TONY BUZAN/MIND MAPPING
“The Extraordinary Life of Michael Jackson’s Children.” Sunday Times, September 13, 2009.
CHAPTER 8
MJ beloved in Japan: AS1, AS2, CS1, and below. Kabuki: AS1 and CS1 on educated Japanese seeing MJ as a sort of global Kabuki performer, Deborah White blog, research on role-playing in “young man Kabuki.” Brunei stopover: Tohme told me that MJ’s visit “was not that big a deal” to the Brunei royal family. Abdullah/representatives unreturned calls: High Court trial. American in music business whispering in Abdullah’s ear: Tohme, based on statements from Sheikh Abdullah’s people in Manama. MJ’s possessions sent to the hotel, stay in Manama: Tohme, AS1, Rwaramba to Barak (see Chapter 1 notes). Money and jewelry left behind: Tohme and Dennis Hawk, from their trip to Manama. Visit to Europe: AS1 and Rwaramba. Departure from Bahrain, relocation to Europe, Raymone Bain’s elevation to business manager: AP’s “Jackson fires business managers” and press release it was based on.
Tracking MJ’s six-month-long stay in Ireland (interrupted by a ten-day foray to New York that I left out of the narrative) was made difficult for two main reasons. One was obfuscatory press releases that the media (Ebony in particular) swallowed whole. The other was that the media proved even more susceptible to the story that MJ spent his time in Ireland “mooching” off Michael Flatley, as Roger Friedman reported it. The Daily Mirror’s “CRAIC-O JACKO” was the story that stated MJ would attend the Bob Dylan concert. Blackwater Castle rumor: blogger James Galvin. Blackwater Castle stay: Liam Sheehan, Patrick Nordstrom 2009 press interviews, Blackwater Web site; Nordstrom was caring for a wife dying of cancer and could not be interviewed. Leprechaun theme park quote: Daily Mirror; AS1 told me that MJ really did believe in leprechauns, or at least encouraged his children to do so. Tensions between MJ and Grace, antique buying in Florence: AS1, Rwaramba to Barak. Debbie Rowe–MJ relationship: Marc Schaffel, AS1, AS2, Bob Jones book, Lisa Marie Presley interviews. Confidentiality agreement, Rowe’s concerns about children: Iris Finsilver declaration on the Smoking Gun Web site. Jones quotes on birth of Prince and Paris: his book. Rowe-Jackson prenuptial agreement: court records; payment: “reported,” though Katherine Jackson used the same figure. MJ-Rowe disputes and resolution: AS2, who has direct knowledge; resulting MJ-Grace disagreements: AS1. “Abducted” claim, other quotes re. custody dispute: court documents. Sheehan told me he had no idea the custody dispute was ongoing while he was living in the same home with MJ. He was also the first to tell me what a dedicated father MJ had been, something I hadn’t known and which was repeated again and again by other people. I think it was immediately after talking to Sheehan that I decided my magazine article was going to become a book.
DOCUMENTS
“Declaration of Iris Joan Finsilver.” February 3, 2005.
JAPAN
Masters, Coco. “Big in Japan: Tokyo Mourns Jackson’s Death.” Time, June 26, 2009 (hereafter cited as Masters. “Big in Japan”).
Kageyama, Yuri. “Michael Jackson Had Loyal, Generous Fans in Japan.” Associated Press, June 26, 2009 (hereafter cited as Kageyama).
White, Deborah. “Michael Jackson as Kabuki Theater.” thecrazywoman.com, July 5, 2009 (I).
PARIS
“Michael Jackson Fires Business Managers.” Associated Press, June 27, 2006.
“Michael Jackson en Disneyland Paris.” flickr.com, June 17, 2006 (I).
“Michael Jackson Visits Paris Garden.” justjared.com, June 23, 2006 (I).
IRELAND ARRIVAL/DYLAN/FLATLEY
Burnhill, Eleanor. “CRAIC-O JACKO; Superstar and Kids Jet into Ireland for Bob Dylan Gig.” Daily Mirror, June 24, 2006.
“Jacko Is in Cork.” jamesgalvin.com, June 24, 2006 (I).
BLACKWATER CASTLE
Browne, Bill. “Jackson’s Cork Hideaway.” Corkman, July 2, 2009.
Kelleher, Olivia. “‘He Just Wanted the Best for His Children.’” (Irish) Independent, June 29, 2009.
McCarthy, Louise. “Magic Tricks with Michael Jackson and His Kids.” Corkman, July 2 2009.
Martin, Paul. “Leprechaun Land; You’ll Never Believe It but Wacko Jacko Is Planning a Theme Park Full of Celtic Myths and Legends Called . . .” Daily Mirror, September 15, 2006.
GRACE RWARAMBA/DEBBIE ROWE
Heath, Chris. “Lisa Marie Presley.” Rolling Stone, April 20, 2003 (hereafter cited as Heath, “Lisa Marie Presley”).
“Playboy Interview: Lisa Marie Presley.” Playboy, August 2003 (hereafter cited as Playboy, “Lisa Marie Presley”).
CHAPTER 9
Schaffel v. Jackson: Schaffel, King, Mesereau, who had previously represented MJ in the matter; juror quote: unbylined UPI articles; Bain and McMillan remarks: Bain press release; King quotes: interviews. Ballinacurra: AS1, Des McGahan press interviews and his Web site; MJ “dancin’ on the grass”: Independent interview.
Luggala: AS1. Neverland fire: press release/Raymone Bain. Puppet theater outing: Eugene Lampert to Sligo Champion. Grouse Lodge: AS1; Paddy Dunning press interviews; unfortunately, Dunning would not give me an interview. Important detail including Grace Rwaramba’s scouting expedition, arrival at Grouse Lodge, attempt to keep his stay secret (including Dunning’s “Yeah, so is Elvis Presley” remark), the Elvis wax statue in the woods, protective attitude of local farmers: Luke Bainbridge, the Guardian. Will.i.am/“apple picking”: to starpulse.com. Other comments of artists and producers: “What’s the Scoop on Michael Jackson’s New Album?” (collected from dozens of publications and press conferences). Thanks much, R.J. Dr. Patrick Treacy: Mesereau, who recounted a phone conversation with Treacy; Treacy quotes: web interviews; acknowledgment he/his clinic gave MJ propofol during a procedure: interview with Deborah Kunesh, Catherine Gross, CastTV. Treacy insisted to Kunesh that MJ understood that he couldn’t use propofol without an anesthesiologist and “would never have done so.” Supposed photos of MJ in the south of France: AS1, Bain interview for Stealing Michael Jackson; Daily News, MJ/Bain response: entertainmentwise.com. Billy Bush/dialogue between MJ and camera operator: Gawker. Insomnia/recording machine with three clocks: Todd Gray interviews posted on amazon.com, Essence.com, Huffington Post. Frank Cascio’s gathering up MJ’s prescription drugs at night: Cascio to ABC News. MJ–Lisa Marie Presley letter about not sleeping for four days: Lucina Fisher/ABC; the letter came to light when Julien Auctions placed it up for bid in early 2012. When Lisa Marie protested, Darren Julien agreed not to sell it after all.
I’ll have to be careful what I write about my knowledge of MJ’s propofol use. I can say with certainty that he was using it on the HIStory tour. Dieter Wiesner was the only one who told me that on the record, though, and didn’t want to say the name of the doctor who was providing it to MJ. An anonymous source did name a doctor, one who has been the subject of investigation since MJ’s death. A second anonymous source told me that the propofol was provided by a pair of German anesthesiologists Wiesner had hired. As noted, Wiesner emphatically denied this. Schaffel and Wiesner both talked to me about the lengths to which MJ went to get some sleep, and of course a great deal of that information came out in connection to the criminal charges and trial of Dr. Conrad Murray. AS1, though, told me the most about this.
Bedsores: AS1, MJ autopsy report. MJ more free of drugs in Ireland than in years: AS1, Mesereau, Patrick Treacy interviews and MJ’s hosts’ insistence that he did not seem to be on drugs. Tullamore story: The [Irish] Independent. Anxiety about World Music Awards: AS1, Raymone Bain, and Patrick Treacy.
DOCUMENTS
Autopsy Case Report—Case No. 2009-04415, Jackson, Michael Joseph, Los Angeles County Department of Coroner. June 25, 2009 (hereafter cited as Autopsy, 6/25/09).
SCHAFFEL V. JACKSON
“Accusations Fly in Lawsuit Against Jackson.” UPI, July 12, 2006.
Caldwell, Tanya. “Jury Views Jackson Deposition in Lawsuit.” Los Angeles Times, July 7, 2006.
Deutsch, Linda. “Michael Jackson’s Frantic Messages Played.” Associated Press, July 6, 2006.
Hong, Peter Y. “Trial Delves into Odd Finances of Pop Star.” Los Angeles Times, July 12, 2006.
“Raymone Bain Releases Statement Regarding Trial Against Schaffel.” July 15, 2006 (PR).
“Two Jackson Personalities Emerge in Suit.” UPI, June 30, 2006.
BALLINACURRA HOUSE
Carty, Ed. “Irish Trip Revealed Down-to-Earth Family Man.” (Irish) Herald, June 27, 2009.
“Fit for a King of Pop: Family’s Luxury Hideaway.” (Irish) Independent, June 27, 2009.
Fitzpatrick, Tom. “Mary Recalls Day Michael and His Three Kids Visited Her Kinsale Shop.” Evening Echo, June 27, 2009.
WICKLOW CASTLE
Bain, Raymone. “Fire Engulfs Neverland Valley Ranch.” August 28, 2006 (PR).
———. “Michael Jackson Takes on Legal Conspiracy.” August 8, 2006 (PR).
Gray, Jim. “Jackson Was a ‘Down to Earth, Doting Father’ Recalls Sligo Puppeteer.” Sligo Champion, July 1, 2009.
“Michael Jackson to Buy Wicklow Castle.” Hot Press, September 18, 2007.
Woollard, Deidre. “Michael Jackson in Retreat at Irish Castle.” Luxist.com, Septenber 2, 2006 (I).
GROUSE LODGE/COMEBACK ALBUM/INSOMNIA
Aughey, Olga. “Paddy Dunning Talks of the Famous Grouse.” Westmeath Examiner, April 28, 2009.
Bainbridge, Luke. “Michael Jackson’s Irish Hideaway.” Guardian, August 14, 2010.
“Billy Bush Seduced by Michael Jackson’s ‘B’ Game.” Gawker.com, October 16, 2006 (I).
Bush, Billy. “The Return of the King of Pop.” Access Hollywood, November 2, 2006 (RT).
“Creepy Michael Jackson Dresses as a Woman.” New York Daily News, October 11, 2006.
Fisher, Lucina. “Michael Jackson’s Sleepless Letter to Lisa Marie Presley.” abcnews.go.com, May 30, 2012 (I).
Friedman, Roger. “Who’s Funding Jackson’s Retreat to Irish Recording Studio?” Fox News, October 21, 2006 (I).
Gray, Todd. “Michael Jackson’s Photographer Todd Gray Shares Intimate Moments with the King of Pop.” Essence.com, October 27, 2009 (I).
“King of Pop Felt at Home in Westmeath’s Grouse Lodge.” Westmeath Independent, July 2, 2009.
Lee, Chris. “Pop King’s Planning His Return.” Los Angeles Times, October 1, 2006.
“Michael Jackson’s Irish Retreat for Rent.” Irish Times, June 6, 2010.
“Michael Jackson Spotted in Tullamore Centre.” (Irish) Independent, October 28, 2006.
Monroe, Brian. “A Q & A with Michael Jackson: In His Own Words.” Ebony, December 2007.
“A Q & A with Todd Gray, Author of Michael Jackson: Before He Was King.” Amazon.com (I).
R.J. “What’s the Scoop on Michael Jackson’s New Album?” michaeljacksonbeat.blogspot.com, April 22, 2009 (I) (hereafter cited as “What’s the Scoop”).
Topel, Fred. “Will.i.am Goes Apple Picking with Michael Jackson.” starpulse.com, May 4, 2009 (I).
“Will.i.am on Working with Michael Jackson.” Rolling Stone, September 24, 2007.
“You Docs: Propofol Probably Not a Factor in Michael Jackson’s Death.” Syndicated column, July 15, 2009.
PATRICK TREACY/DUBLIN
Gross, Rev. Catherine. “A Place in Your Heart: Interview with Patrick Treacy.” blogtalkradio.com, September 24, 2010 (RT).
Kunesh, Deborah. “The Michael I Knew . . . Patrick Treacy Shares His Reflections on Michael Jackson.” reflectionsonthedance.com, 2010 (I).
“Patrick Treacy on Michael Jackson’s Death.” CastTV, June 26, 2009 (RT).
WIKIPEDIA
“Anterograde Amnesia.”
“Propofol.”
CHAPTER 10
1988 visit to London: contemporaneous coverage; coverage alongside 1996 Brit Awards; coverage in 2009. I also used interviews, coverage related to 2006 World Music Awards appearance. 1988 Guildhall dinner: Paul Cole, Sunday Mercury; original research. Bad tour: press coverage of Japanese and Australian legs, esp. the Age; Hilburn and McKenna/LA Times (see Chapter 4 notes), Pareles/NY Times, Frith/Village Voice (posthumous publication). MJ’s weirdness due to curiosity: my own interpretation, but his mother, at least, agrees with it. Skid Row: Gina Sprague (Joe’s secretary), to Taraborrelli. Antiques store incident: Atlanta Police Department “deputy” to Taraborrelli. “Daringly thin disguise”: Hirshey/Rolling Stone (see Chapter 2 notes). MJ on disguises/“Pioneering”: Beliefnet essay, Boteach (p. 104). David Foster story: Hit Man. “Bizarre” image: Frank Dileo press interviews, Taraborrelli. Jimmy Safechuck: Taraborrelli. More than fifteen years later, Bob Jones and his cowriter Stacy Brown attempted to retroactively infer impropriety from Jones’s claims that MJ remained financially generous to boys like Jimmy Safechuck and Jonathan Spence. More recently, blogger Desiree Hill has undertaken to prove that MJ’s relationship with Safechuck and other boys was somehow sinister. She’s done a good job of pointing out the inconsistencies in La Toya Jackson’s recent disavowals of the claims she made against her brother in Growing Up Jackson, but her other contentions are not persuasive. At the criminal trial in 2005, Tom Mesereau told the jury that Jimmy Safechuck had been married at Neverland. In his conversations with me, Tom was unable to recall where he had heard that. Based on what I’ve been told by sources I can’t identify, I don’t think it’s true. But again, there is no evidence that Safechuck ever accused MJ of any improprieties.
Emmanuel Lewis relationship: VH-1/Secret Childhood (inc. interviews w/Rippy, George; see Chapter 2 notes); also, Bashir/Secret Life of Michael Jackson, Lewis to Howard Stern, Taraborrelli. In each of the few instances he has spoken about this on the record, Lewis has insisted that there was no sexual contact of any kind. “All we did was watch comedy and cartoons,” he told Bashir. “Could anything negative happen between the two of us? The answer to that question is hell no!!” Baby bottles and nipples: The Man Behind the Mask; photo: In Touch, March 2005. 1984 public perception of Lewis relationship: People article about Lewis (see Chapter 4 notes). Alfonso Ribeiro/Ricky Schroeder relationships: VH-1/Secret Childhood (see Chapter 2 notes). Again, there have been no suggestions of impropriety by either of them, as boys or men. Corey Feldman has given two very different descriptions of his relationship with MJ, one in 2003 to Larry King, the second in 2005 to Martin Bashir. He has since come back around to a pro-MJ position. Seven Dwarfs at Hayvenhurst: Taraborrelli, Secret Childhood (see Chapter 2 notes).
Brooke Shields/“no big romance”: Shields to Joan Rivers, others in lacienegasmiled.com file (see Chapter 4 notes). MJ/Rivers sparring, “Boy George” press conference: Taraborrelli, my own recollection. MJ himself continued to perpetuate the myth of hot and heavy romances with Shields and O’Neal into the twenty-first century. In his interviews with Boteach, he called Shields “one of the loves of my life” and O’Neal “my first girlfriend.” Suggestion MJ should play Peter Pan: Jane Fonda to Gerri Hirshey. MJ on Shirley Temple (incl. quotes used): Boteach.
Elizabeth Taylor’s relationship with MJ was very real, as unlikely as it seemed to some people. Sources: Taraborrelli, MJ to Boteach, Theroux/Daily Telegraph (see Chapter 2 notes), Marikar/ABC. MJ/real estate agent: Dimond/Be Careful Who You Love. Taylor at Victory tour concert, first meeting w/Bubbles: MJ/other sources to Taraborrelli (rev. ed.). Liz and MJ incognito moviegoing: Theroux (see Chapter 2 notes), AS1. Picnic spot: Theroux (see Chapter 2 notes). Taylor giving elephant Gypsy to MJ: Schaffel; video from Home Movies project; MJ’s return gift: Theroux (see Chapter 2 notes). “Michael did a lot more giving”: AS1, CS1, pleadings and evidence in Schaffel v. Jackson. Wedding at Neverland: People. Shrine to Taylor: reported as National Enquirer in other outlets, orig. story not found. Debunking of shrine story: Frank Dileo to People, Schaffel. Liz, MJ, red string: msnbc.com among others. Role of drug use in Taylor/MJ relationship: Taraborrelli/Elizabeth, Posner/Daily Beast. Thousand prescriptions: Taraborrelli (“In the five-year period between 1980 and 1985, she was given prescriptions for more than a thousand different drugs ranging from sleeping pills to painkillers to tranquilizers.”) Posner quoted a “good friend” of MJ’s who said he had warned MJ that his relationship with Liz was “toxic”; “teetering”: Posner, per “a witness” at the 1993 American Music Awards. Elizabeth Taylor herself acknowledged her problems with prescription drugs, but was never so specific. I heard a good deal about this subject from AS1, but that information was mostly secondhand. MJ going straight from Klein’s offices to Taylor’s home during 2007–2008 LA visits; presumption they were sharing drugs; Klein response: AS1; Ben Evenstad, head of paparazzi agency National Photo Group, to Posner; Craig Williams; Klein has admitted to prescribing Demerol and turned over documents to the medical board showing when and how much.
MJ’s ideal woman a fusion of Mother Teresa and Princess Diana is something he spoke about frequently, including to Boteach. MJ told Boteach how turned off he was by hard or coarse women, such as Madonna (cf. his description of Taylor to Theroux, see Chapter 2 notes). KJ “like a saint,” Taylor “playful and youthful,” “. . . if we ever did anything romantically . . .”: MJ to Boteach. Captain EO set: firsthand from Todd Gold/People, Taraborrelli. Jonathan Spence/ MJ never acting inappropriately: Mesereau, court file. Gifts to Spence: Dimond/Be Careful, court file. Rolls-Royce to Jimmy Safechuck’s parents; Dileo/MJ conversation: Taraborrelli (others said car was a Mercedes). Jury’s Hotel bar/reporters: firsthand from Sam Smyth/Belfast Telegraph.
MJ’s “crotch grab” is something anyone who watched him perform in the late ’80s and early ’90s has seen. Audience reaction: Taraborrelli. Reflexive response to the music: MJ to Boteach. Controversy about the crotch grab/what it signified: personal experience. Terry George story: British press from time of Chandler case onward; it did not really cross the Atlantic (at least in media reports) until after MJ’s arrest. Account here: George to Nick Owens/Daily Mirror after MJ’s death. In 2005, Britain’s Channel 4 reported that George would be testifying for the prosecution at the criminal trial and quoted him as saying, “I can believe that the latest allegations are true because of what happened to me.” According to Sky News, the FBI also interviewed George about his allegations. But George didn’t testify at trial, something Mesereau cited as evidence either that the story was exaggerated or that George did not in fact believe MJ was a child molester.
DOCUMENTS
“Michael Jackson’s Home Movies” raw interview footage provided by Marc Schaffel.
LONDON 1988/BAD TOUR
Cole, Paul. “Michael Jackson: The Day Our Man Came Face-to-Face with King of Pop.” Sunday Mercury, June 26, 2009.
Frith, Simon. “Wack Attack.” Village Voice, August 16, 1988.
Pareles, Jon. “Michael Jackson Opens Tour.” New York Times, February 24, 1988.
BOYS/CHILDLIKE BEHAVIOR
Bashir, Martin. “The Secret Life of Michael Jackson.” ABC, March 7, 2005 (RT).
Cole, Rob. “FBI Probed Jackson ‘Sex Call’ to Brit Teen.” Sky News Online, December 22, 2009 (RT) (hereafter cited as Cole, “Brit Teen”).
Hill, Desiree. “Jimmy Safechuck Findings.” desireespeakssolisten.blogspot.com, November, 2011 (I).
“Interview: Terry George About His Friendship with Michael Jackson.” Skynews, July 29, 2009 (RT) (hereafter cited as “Terry George”).
King, Larry. “Corey Feldman Interview: ‘Nothing Inappropriate Happened.’” CNN, November 21, 2003 (RT).
Lewis, Emmanuel, interviewed by Howard Stern. The Howard Stern Show, January 9, 2003 (RT).
“Michael Jackson and Emmanuel Lewis.” In Touch, March 2005.
Owens, Nick. “First Target of Michael Jackson’s Obsession with Boys Says: ‘What He Did Was Wrong . . . but I Forgive Him.’” Daily Mirror, June 28, 2009 (hereafter cited as Owens, “First Target”).
Smyth, Sam. “Jacko and Jimmy at Jury’s Hotel, 1988.” Belfast Telegraph, June 27, 2009.
“Terry George (40) Will Appear at Jackson’s Trial.” (British TV) Channel 4, January 24, 2005 (RT).
“When Jacko and ‘Best Pal’ Jimmy (10) Came to Cork.” (Irish) Independent, June 18, 2005.
BROOKE SHIELDS
“Rivers—Brooke Shields Exploited Jacko’s Death.” TMZ, August 4, 2009.
ELIZABETH TAYLOR
Marikar, Sheila. “Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Jackson: Hollywood’s Odd Couple, Now Gone.” ABC, March 25, 2011 (RT).
Park, Jeannie. “He Does, She Does—They Do!” People, October 21, 1991.
Posner, Gerald. “The Jackson-Liz Drug Link.” Daily Beast, July 6, 2009 (I) (hereafter cited as Posner, “Drug Link”).
Walls, Jeannette. “The King of Kabbalah?” msnbc.com, June 23, 2005 (I).
CHAPTER 11
Jarvis Cocker/Brit Awards: dangerousminds.com’s retrospective of coverage of MJ’s 2006 return to London; video of the performance and Cocker’s interruption (dailymotion.com). HIStory promotional campaign and backfire/MJ reduced status: Willman/LA Times, Nisid/Entertainment Weekly, Hillburn poll/LA Times, Pareles/NY Times review. The most complete and balanced account of both the promotional campaign and the release of the album itself, though, is the one found on pophistorydig.com.
Response to Diane Sawyer’s MJ–Lisa Marie Presley interview, negative: Orth/Vanity Fair; positive: Jet; middle America: Bark/St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Cocker recalling Brit Awards thirteen years later: Cocker to British Press Association. “Diva demands”/2006 World Music Awards: msnbc.comcataloging British press; demands and performance fiasco: “Michael Jackson booed . . .”/NME. “Truly macabre figure,” “so prone to panic attacks,” “germaphobe”: Alison Boshoff/Daily Mail. Bain containing damage: November 16 and 17 press releases and statement. Pop Revengereporter quote: “Michael Jackson Booed at World Music Awards”/artistdirect.com, a good general description of the events and immediate aftermath. Postponement of Japan trip: AS1, Bain press release December 4, 2006; reaction in Tokyo: Adamu/mutantfrog.com. MJ restlessness and discomfort on return to Grouse Lodge: AS1. Departure from Grouse Lodge (incl. gifts, signing of slice of tree, “you are the only ones . . .”): AS1, Dunning interviews.
HISTORY/ABC INTERVIEW
Bark, Ed. “Michael Jackson Interview Raises Questions, Answers.” St. Louis Post-Dispatch, June 26, 1995.
Hajarl, Nisid. “The King of Pap.” Entertainment Weekly, September 20, 1996.
Hillburn, Robert. “King of Pop Is Now a Commoner, Poll Says.” Los Angeles Times, October 22, 1995.
“Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley Reveal Intimate Side as Lovers, Parents and Best Friends.” Jet, July 3, 1995.
Orth, Maureen. “The Jackson Five.” Vanity Fair, September 1995.
Willman, Chris. “Michael Jackson Takes Off the Glove and Rails at Attackers with New Songs That Take the King of Pop from ‘Bad’ to Sad—Very Sad.” Los Angeles Times, June 18, 1995.
LONDON 1996/JARVIS COCKER
“Brit Awards 1996: Jarvis Cocker vs. Michael Jackson.” dailymotion.com, September 25, 2009 (I).
“Jarvis Cocker Breaks His Silence over Michael Jackson’s Death.” Press Association, July 3, 2009.
“When Jarvis Cocker Met Michael Jackson.” dangerousminds.com, January 21, 2011 (I).
LONDON 2006/WMA APPEARANCE
Bain, Raymone. “Michael: Performing ‘Rumour’ Was ‘Misunderstanding.’” November 16, 2006.
———. “World Music Awards Appearance Had Sound Off—Head of Public Relations Baffled.” November 17, 2006.
Boshoff, Alison. “Is This Jacko’s New Wife?” Daily Mail, November 10, 2006.
“Michael Jackson Booed at World Music Awards.” artistdirect.com, November 16, 2006 (I).
“Michael Jackson Booed During London Live Comeback.” NME, November 16, 2006.
“Michael Jackson’s Diva Demands @ World Music Awards.” msnbc.com, November 16, 2006 (I).
WMA AFTERMATH
Adamu. “ZAKZAK on Why Michael Jackson cancelled His Xmas Party in Japan.” mutantfrog.com, December 20, 2006.
“Raymone Bain Releases Statement—Michael to Attend Christmas Celebration in Tokyo.” November 21, 2006.
“Raymone Bain Releases Statement Refuting Neverland Sale Claims.” December 21, 2006.
CHAPTER 12
Arrival in Las Vegas, including MJ’s travel disguise: AS1, unnamed inside source to US Weekly. Property address: documents shown to me by CS2; $1 million in advance for rent: widely reported, confirmed to me by three separate sources. Everyone aware of what MJ paid was outraged by the inflated figure. Christmas tree and presents, Celine Dion–like Las Vegas act: Wishna to Us magazine. Wishna and MJ opening a hotel together, slot machines and statue: Wishna (two interviews) to Norm Clarke/Las Vegas Review-Journal. Statue details: Wishna to E!online. James Brown’s funeral: AS1. Brown’s death, remains at Apollo, transport of body: Associated Press, Vogel/Columbia Spectator. MJ at C.A. Reid Funeral Home: Daly/“. . . grim fascination . . .”/New York Daily News, Tune/WRDW, original research into mortuary. Brown’s casket: press reports, KJ’s statement that her son was laid to rest in the very same model. Description of MJ at funeral: video of funeral, Reid/mtv.com. Early conversations with Steve Wynn: AS1, Review-Journal, Leach. MJ/Wynn background and Milken: former prosecutor Miller/“Inside Vegas.” Beacher: Beacher to Us. Fuller meetings with MJ (and Ortega): Leach/Luxe Life blog. MJ avoiding his father: a half-dozen sources, Wishna to Access Hollywood. I know that Joe Jackson has been living mainly in Las Vegas since the 1990s from an assortment of people who have been involved with the Jackson family then and now, and that Joe’s infidelities, and his relationship with his illegitimate daughter Joh’Vonnie in particular, were the main reason for that. I believe Rabbi Boteach’s imprint is heavy on the part of the Oxford speech that involved MJ’s determination to forgive Joe.
That MJ avoided his family as completely as possible has been attested to by numerous employees, associates, managers, and attorneys, from Bob Jones, who was working for him when MJ moved to Neverland, to Tohme Tohme, who was MJ’s manager until two months before his death. Except during his criminal trial, MJ spent very little time with his family during the last twenty-five years of his life. Schaffel and Wiesner both told me that MJ instructed his security staff at Neverland not to let his father or his siblings onto the property; Schaffel recalled that MJ specifically barred his sister Janet from his home.
Jackson “soap opera” material Orth/“CSI Neverland,” (Jackie/Enid/Abdul, Jermaine/Maldonado, Hazel allegations, Eliza allegations): court files of brothers’ divorce actions, Taraborrelli, Bob Jones. Jackson brothers all alike except MJ: Eliza Jackson to Taraborrelli. Problem La Toya posed for her family: Schaffel, Taraborrelli, off-record sources. Jack Gordon, Growing Up in the Jackson Family: multiple accounts, including Jet, People. KJ/more sadness than anger about La Toya’s accusations: KJ to Jet and confidential sources, who have expressed amazement at how willing Katherine has been to forgive her daughter. The two of them are actually pretty close these days, and La Toya spends more time in her mother’s home than any of the children, except Jackie. 1993 Tel Aviv press conference in which La Toya promised to “prove” Michael’s guilt: video via YouTube,Washington Post, Houston Chronicle. La Toya recanting accusations against MJ/her family, blaming Jack Gordon: Larry King 2003, 2008 interviews with a Danish television network and, of course, her most recent book, Starting Over, in which she paints herself even more graphically as Gordon’s victim.
It should be noted that all of La Toya’s more lurid accusations against Gordon have been made since his death in 2005. Before he died, Gordon denied La Toya’s claims that he battered her into posing nude, dancing topless, and defaming her family. Gordon insisted that La Toya told him that everything she wrote in her first book was true and said also that the only violent encounter between the two of them took place when she came after him with a broken bottle and he held her off with a chair.
MJ’s dislike of his family: Bob Jones (“made it perfectly clear that he didn’t want his family around,” “ordered his staff to stay away from them and keep them at arm’s length,” and “had more than an active dislike for the Jacksons; he acted as if he despised his family”). This accords with what I heard from virtually everyone I spoke to who was close to MJ during the last two decades of his life, his love for his mother being the exception.
Jermaine wasn’t publicly outed for his attempt to sell his brother out until the spring of 2006, when Michelle Caruso of the New York Daily News got hold of the proposal for “Legacy” that MJ’s brother had been shopping back in 2006. Jermaine went on Larry King’s show immediately after Caruso’s story ran to insist he never tried to sell a book that disparaged his brother, and blamed the entire controversy on Stacy Brown, Bob Jones’s coauthor, who had contracted to do the actual writing of Jermaine’s book. He was going to sue Brown, Jermaine said. Brown responded by going to Caruso to tell her about the tape recordings he had made of his conversations with Jermaine, he said he had turned them over to an attorney and was considering suing Jermaine for slander. Neither ever filed a suit against the other, and Jermaine has done all he can to pretend the entire episode never took place. But CNBC show host Donny Deutsch also obtained a copy of the “Legacy” book proposal and all but called Jermaine a liar on the air. Shortly after MJ’s death in 2009, Roger Friedman found his own copy of the “Legacy” proposal and wrote that it described MJ in even harsher terms than had been previously reported. Jermaine kept his mouth closed. In a 2011 interview with muzikfactorytwo.blogspot.com, Stacy Brown confirmed again that all of the terrible things said about MJ in the book proposal came from Jermaine’s mouth. In fact, Brown said he had written the proposal for a “positive” book, which didn’t sell, and Jermaine himself changed it to emphasize all those terrible things he had said about MJ. Brown also revealed that the publisher Judith Regan had given MJ a copy of the proposal, leading to a confrontation between the brothers, and that the rest of the family agreed MJ had “sabotaged the book because of his disdain for Jermaine.” Randy Jackson and Rebbie’s husband Nate both called Brown, fearing that he would release the tapes he had made of his conversations with Jermaine, and Brown promised not to “as long as Jermaine stopped lying.”
Leo Terrell’s comments: Terrell. Terrell knows more about the Jacksons than he can say, and told me more than I can print; most of his insight derives from work for Johnnie Cochran sorting out assorted legal peccadilloes involving the Jacksons. Grace Rwaramba/Jacksons using ATM card: Rwaramba’s High Court testimony, Rwaramba to Barak (from which quote is taken; see Chapter 1 notes). Jackson brothers’ financial distress/reduced professional status: bankruptcy court files, sources with authoritative knowledge of the family’s finances, Brown/Fanelli/New York Post, Ditzian/mtv.com. Gary Berwin judgment against Joe: Jacksons’ bankruptcy file, Taraborrelli. Segye Times lawsuit, “Michael Jackson’s Secret Vault”/Henry Vaccaro: Joe/KJ bankruptcy file. MJ legal claim against Vaccaro, dismissal: Mariant/Associated Press. I know a great deal more about both the Segye Times lawsuit and Vaccaro’s dealings with the Jackson family than I wrote into the text, having observed the process by which Perry Sanders settled the Moonies’ claim against Katherine Jackson on the one hand, and having been provided with the truly arcane details of Vaccaro’s pursuit and acquisition of the “Secret Vault” (through the same storage unit paper trail described in Chapter 12) by Howard Mann, who eventually took possession of those assets from Vaccaro.
The Jacksons’s 2006 holiday gathering (incl. MJ’s dark glasses): AS1. A couple of the Jacksons have spoken about that get-together themselves in interviews, but I’m reluctant to put much stock in their accounts, so this is a rare occasion in which AS1’s account is the primary source.
I know that the Santa Barbara District Attorney’s office was running a drug investigation against MJ after his acquittal at the criminal trial from a confidential source who did not want to be quoted; it is in the public record as well. Tom Sneddon’s office actually filed documents alleging that a large stash of prescription drugs had been seized when police raided Jackson’s Neverland ranch in 2003, including bottles of Vicodin, OxyContin, Versed, Promethazime, Xanax, and Valium. Some of that information is detailed in Lorenzo Benet’s People article. The DA’s office in Santa Barbara continued the drug investigation for some months after MJ left the United States, but for reasons unknown to me never filed charges and eventually let the entire matter lapse. No one involved in the investigation will comment on it. Mesereau on MJ drug use: People v. Jackson court transcript. Drug procurement by MJ’s security staff: reports and files in People v. Jackson, Posner/“Jackson’s Shady Inner Circle” (see Chapter 6 notes) “Jackson and the ‘Pill Mills,’” Waxman/TheWrap.
Farschian material: court file documents as above, investigative documents that have been produced since MJ’s death, Schaffel, Wiesner. Carter and LaPerruque quotes: statements in criminal investigation. The handwritten note referencing Buprenex and “D” surfaced during the more recent investigation into doctors who enabled MJ’s drug addiction. I believe the first journalist to obtain it was Kyle Munzenrieder of the Miami New Times, whose article included a photocopy of the note.
Allan Metzger: investigative files (most generated in connection to the Conrad Murray criminal case), media reports, Wiesner. Wiesner told me Metzger was with MJ during the entire HIStory tour. Lisa Marie Presley also identified Metzger as being with MJ on the HIStory tour: her interview for criminal investigation. She named as well a second doctor, New York anesthesiologist Dr. Neil Ratner, as being part of the tour. I simply don’t have enough information about Dr. Ratner’s role to do more than note his presence. Maureen Orth reported that Myung Ho Lee had claimed that he had paid Ratner to put MJ through a detox program in Seoul in 1999. When I mentioned Ratner’s name to Dieter Wiesner, Dieter gave a slight gasp and said, “Ah, so you know about him.” Unfortunately, I really don’t. A number of articles have reported that Metzger was reprimanded (but retained his license) for prescribing drugs to Janet Jackson under an alias, and Metzger has acknowledged that he treated MJ in the 1990s. Metzger videotaping MJ/Debbie Rowe wedding: “Friendly Docs”/TMZ.
MJ staff attempting to use a doctor visit to procure drugs: Clarke/“Doctor . . . Jackson’s suite.” Elie Wiesel’s doctor: Boteach. Sinnreich quotes: Sinnreich via vitals.com. Relationship between pain, addiction, and perception: my research; in particular, Nutting/“Understanding Addiction Cycles,” opioids911.org. “If I stop using drugs I’ll die”: Taraborrelli/Daily Mail. Ammar quote: Boshoff/“Michael Jackson was so high . . .”Daily Mail. Claims of injury or pain: Boteach in his book, Deepak Chopra in interviews.
Klein-MJ relationship: innumerable articles, investigative reports, and court filings; Schaffel, who was generally quite sympathetic to Dr. Klein; and AS1, CS1, and CS2, none of whom spoke favorably of Klein. Because these last three chose to be anonymous sources, I’ve given their recollections less weight than Schaffel’s. Dieter Wiesner also spoke about Klein, though more obliquely, simply lumping him in with “the doctors” who had prescribed drugs to MJ over the years. Klein background/University of Pennsylvania: Posner/“Jackson’s Doc’s Drug Dealing Past,” Seal/Vanity Fair. Founding and expansion of practice: Klein via drarnoldklein.com. How and why Klein became so popular in Beverly Hills: Schaffel, stories I’ve heard about Klein going back decades. Taylor book inscription to Klein: Seal. Taylor telling doctors in rehab Klein had prescribed her Dilaudid and Ativan: Posner/“ Jackson-Liz Drug Link” (see Chapter 10 notes), off-record sources. That said, Schaffel is not the only one who has insisted that Klein was not a “drug-dealing doctor”; Carrie Fisher (who knows a lot about drug dealing doctors) has said so as well. Amount of drugs Taylor consumed, Taylor and MJ sharing drugs: Posner (see Chapter 10 notes), Heymann/Liz (which reported that Taylor had received more than three hundred prescriptions for thirty separate drugs in 1981 alone, and that she received a prescription for six hundred pills on the occasion of MJ’s birthday party a few years later. Klein hiding medical files involving MJ, admitting to police prescribing Dilaudid and Ativan to MJ and Taylor, Sneddon listing him as one of doctors prescribing Demerol to MJ (as Ferdinand Diaz): deputy’s report, other docs in court file of People v. Jackson, “Jacko Doc Hid Medical Records . . .”/ TMZ.
Klein meeting MJ through Geffen: Seal. Little follow-up investigation of Klein: 1993, 2003 lines of inquiry petered out. That Klein’s wealth and connections (and litigious nature) helped to protect him is an inference, but it was the only explanation I heard from the people I asked about this. Irena Medavoy case: Seal, and contemporaneous media reports. Klein-Tarlow relationship: arnoldklein.com, UCLA.
Frank Cascio on collecting MJ drugs: Cascio, My Friend Michael. I will disclose here that I did not read all of Cascio’s book, only the ABC News web story about it, which included a couple of brief excerpts. I have used those quotes and others from a Cascio interview here and in the insomnia section. Schaffel quotes: Schaffel. Drugs in black suitcase: AS1, Wiesner, Orth (see Chapter 5 notes). National Enquirer/intravenous drip: “Jacko Bombshell” (see Chapter 5, which refers to unavailable 1999 one). Avram material: Avram court file. Myung Ho Lee: Orth/“Losing His Grip” (see Chapter 6 notes), Los Angeles media covering the court case. Daily Mail photo: cited below; the photo is still posted. “Ate too little and mixed too much”: Rwaramba to Barak. Jackson family suspicions of Grace: family members in public and private statements, based largely on the fact that she spent more time with him than anyone else. Post office box and credit cards in Rwaramba’s name: Rwaramba LAPD statement.
Grace Rwaramba has denied that she ever enabled Michael Jackson’s drug use (and also dismisses the suggestion that she pressured Michael to marry her). But she at one point also denied being interviewed by Daphne Barak and Barak replied by posting video of her interviews with Rwaramba online. Grace then issued a public statement in which she stated “I have never spoken to the Times online, the original source of the story that has now been picked up worldwide.” That was disingenuous. Grace had spoken at length to Daphne Barak, who sold the story to the Times’ parent company, as Rwaramba knew. Grace’s statement labeled as “outrageous and patently false” the “claim that I routinely pumped [Michael Jackson’s] stomach after he had ingested a dangerous combination of drugs.” This disavowal of the remarks attributed to her by Barak, though, came after Rwaramba had been summoned to an interview with the LAPD at which she would be questioned about her knowledge of Michael’s drug use and whether she had, in fact, pumped his stomach. Obviously, I have no direct knowledge of whether Grace pumped Michael’s stomach, enabled his drug use or pressured him to marry her. That said, I think the evidence pretty strongly indicates that Barak’s account of their conversations is far more reliable than Rwaramba’s. I’m basing Grace’s defense of herself in part on what I’ve been told she’s said to the Jackson family and, especially, what I read in her September 12, 2009, statement to the LAPD.
Claims of Bain and Rwaramba collaborating to control MJ: Joe Jackson to fan sites, late spring and summer 2007; confidential sources told me other family members, including KJ, agreed at the time. Raymone and Grace jockeying for control: Mesereau. Jackson family’s attempted interventions: family members in interviews; others have said that the Jacksons did try at various times to get MJ off drugs. Mesereau, Schaffel, and Wiesner all said they believed it, and I do also. See also Boteach on Katherine and Joe seeking his help to intervene; Tito Jackson to Fricker. In this case, I think the Jacksons deserve much of the credit they’re trying to claim. Drug use spiraling after Bashir documentary: firsthand from Schaffel and Wiesner. National Enquirer claim of overdose in Bahrain: “Jacko Bombshell” (see Chapter 5 notes), response: Bain, “Overdose Rumors” (see Chapter 5 notes). Mickey Fine lawsuit: TMZ. 2007 Jackson family intervention attempt: Rolling Stone, People, bodyguards to ABC. Joe Jackson trying to get in: AS1, reported by Roger Friedman who clearly had a source inside MJ’s entourage. Again, AS1 denied being that source.
COURT FILES
Criminal
SBSC 1133603.
Civil
C383387 (Los Angeles Superior Court) Gina Sprague v. Joseph Jackson, Katherine Jackson, Randy Jackson, and Janet Jackson (a minor), September 21, 1981.
LASC D076606.
LASC 05113.
LASC D157554.
LASC D202224.
USDC-CA CV 90 4906.
NWC55803 (Los Angeles Superior Court) Katherine Jackson v. Jack Gordon and La Toya Jackson aka La Toya Gordon, February 28, 1990.
DOCUMENTS
Audiotapes of interviews with Michael Jackson from “Michael Jackson’s Secret Vault” provided by Howard Mann.
Rwaramba, 9/12/09.
ARRIVAL IN LAS VEGAS
Clarke, Norm. “Michael Jackson Landing on Strip?” Las Vegas Review-Journal, December 24, 2006.
English, Whitney, and Natalie Finn. “‘It’s Going to Be a Disaster’: Associate Says Jackson Too Weak for Major Comeback.” E!online.com, July 10, 2009 (I).
“Jackson Confidant Jack Wishna Opens Up About Michael and the Tour that Never Was.” Access Hollywood, January 8, 2010 (I).
Leach, Robin. “In a World Exclusive Interview, Michael Jackson Talks About His New Life in Vegas and His Comeback.” Luxe Life, February 5, 2007 (I) (hereafter cited as Leach, “Vegas”).
“US Exclusive: Michael Jackson’s New House.” Us, December 24, 2006.
JAMES BROWN’S DEATH AND FUNERAL
Daly, Michael. “Michael Jackson’s Grim Fascination with Death, Odd 5-Hour Vigil over James Brown.” New York Daily News, June 28, 2009.
“‘Godfather of Soul’ James Brown Dies at 73.” Associated Press, December 26, 2006.
“Michael Jackson Speaks at James Brown Funeral.” YouTube, December 30, 2006 (I).
Reid, Shaheem. “James Brown Saluted by Michael Jackson at Public Funeral Service.” mtv.com, December 30, 2006 (I).
Tune, Melissa. “Funeral Director Recalls Night Michael Jackson Spent Viewing James Brown’s Remains.” wrdw.com, July 6, 2009 (I).
Vogel, Sara. “James Brown Lies in State at Harlem’s Apollo Theater.” Columbia Spectator, January 16, 2007.
JACKSON FAMILY
Brown, Stacy, and James Fanelli. “Jackson ‘Dive’: Once-Mighty Music Family Goes from Riches to Rags.” New York Post, March 23, 2008.
Caruso, Michelle. “Jackson Tell-All Book Pitch: Thought Jax Was Guilty, Feared Suicide; His Brother Admits Jacko’s ‘Thing for Young Children.’” New York Daily News, March 5, 2006.
———. “Tell-All Writer Warns Jax Bro Rants Were Recorded: Jermaine’s Dis on Tape.” New York Daily News, March 8, 2006.
“Confirmed! Jermaine Jackson Did Write a Disparaging Book About Michael Jackson.” musikfactorytwo.blogspot.com, July 20, 2011 (I).
“Danger Zone: La Toya Jackson’s Marriage Becomes a Danger Zone.” People, May 3, 1993.
Deutsch, Donny. “Stacy Brown Interview About Jermaine Jackson’s Book ‘Legacy.’” CNBC, March 7, 2005 (RT).
Ditzian, Eric. “Michael Jackson’s Family Tree: Janet, Rebbie, Marlon and More.” mtv.com, June 26 2009 (I).
Friedman, Roger. “Jermaine Jackson Told All in Shocking 2003 Book Proposal.” Showbiz411.com, August 12, 2009 (I).
———. “Michael Jackson’s Nanny Locks His Father Out.” Fox News, January 31, 2007 (I).
“Jacksons Refute La Toya’s Charge Michael Kept Boys with Him at Family Home—La Toya Jackson’s Views About Child Sexual Abuse Investigation of Michael Jackson.” Jet, December 27, 1993.
King, Larry. “Interview with La Toya Jackson.” CNN, March 9, 2003 (RT).
———. “Interview with Jermaine Jackson.” CNN, May 6, 2006.
“La Toya: Charges Are True; Family Says Jackson Never Molested Kids.” Washington Post, December 9, 1993.
“La Toya Jackson Interview, Go’ Aften Danmark,” TV2, May 19, 2008 (I).
“La Toya Jackson Says Michael Committed Crimes Against Boys.” Houston Chronicle, December 9, 1993.
“La Toya Jackson Tel Aviv Press Conference 1993.” YouTube (I).
Netter, Sarah. “Michael Jackson Bodyguards Dish on Living with Eccentric King of Pop.” abcnews.com, March 8, 2010 (I) (hereafter cited as Netter, “Jackson bodyguards”).
“Stacy Brown Breaks His Silence About Jermaine Jackson Book Excerpts and Michael Jackson’s Death.” musikfactorytwo.blogspot.com, May 19, 2011 (I).
VH-1, “Secret Childhood” (RT).
“Wedding Bells Were a Hoax, La Toya Says.” Deseret News, September 8, 1989.
Yazmeen. “Katherine Jackson and Howard Mann: The Whole Story.” musikfactorytwo.blogspot.com, March 1, 2011 (I).
———. “Katherine Jackson and Melissa Johnson: The Whole Story.” muzikfactorytwo blogspot.com, April 15, 2011 (I).
MJ AND DRUGS/DR. KLEIN AND LIZ TAYLOR
Benet, Lorenzo. “The Neverland Drug Case That Never Was.” People, July 23, 2009.
Boshoff, Alison. “Michael Jackson Was So High on Painkillers That He Spent Days in a Stupor.” Daily Mail, June 26, 2009.
“Drugs and Alcohol: Jackson Family Attempted Vegas Intervention.” People, June 26, 2009.
Fricker, Martin. “Michael Jackson Was Confronted by Family over Drugs.” Daily Mirror, July 15, 2009 (hereafter cited as Fricker).
“Grace Rwaramba Michael’s Biggest Enabler?” News of the World, October 16, 2009 (hereafter cited as “Biggest Enabler”).
“Help for Safely Using Opioids.” Opioids911.org.
“Jacko Sued for Not Paying for His Meds.” TMZ, January 12, 2007 (I).
“Jackson Doc Hid Medical Records, Deputy Says.” TMZ, July 13, 2009 (I).
“Jackson Drug Aliases.” TMZ, July 20, 2009 (I).
“Jackson’s Knack for Picking Friendly Docs.” TMZ, July 11, 2009 (I).
James, Susan Donaldson. “Friend Says Michael Jackson Battled Demerol Addiction.” abcnews.go.com, June 26, 2009 (I).
King, Larry. “Interview with Dr. Arnold Klein.” July 8, 2009 (RT) (hereafter cited as King, “Klein”).
Klein, Dr. Arnold. “In the Beginning.” drarnoldklein.com (I) (PR).
Kreps, Daniel. “Report: Janet Jackson Planned Intervention for Michael in 2007.” Rollingstone.com, July 9, 2009 (I).
Munzenrieder, Kyle. “Miami Beach Doctor Prescribed Michael Jackson Drugs, but Was He Trying to Help?” Miami New Times, July 10, 2009 (I) (hereafter cited as Munzenrieder).
Nutting, John Blight. “Understanding Addiction Cycles.” www.voice-dialogue-inner-self-awareness.com (I).
Posner, Gerald. “Did the Doctor Do It?” Daily Beast, July 24, 2009 (I).
———. “Jackson and the ‘Pill Mills.’” Daily Beast, July 12, 2009 (I) (hereafter cited as Posner, “Pill Mills”).
———. “Jackson’s Doc’s Drug Dealing Past.” Daily Beast, July 16, 2009 (I) (hereafter cited as Posner, “Jackson’s Doc”).
“Quotes by the Michael Jackson Doctors.” spotlight.vitals.com, July 3, 2009 (I) (hereafter cited as “Quotes”).
Seal, Mark. “The Doctor Will Sue You Now.” Vanity Fair, March 2012 (hereafter cited as Seal, “Doctor Will Sue”).
“Shocking Pictures Which Show Michael Jackson’s Drug-Ravaged Legs as Police Say They Are Treating His Death as a Homicide.” Daily Mail, Muly 16, 2009 (hereafter cited as “Drug-Ravaged legs”).
Taraborrelli, J. Randy. “I Saw in His Eyes He Was Dying.” Daily Mail, June 29, 2009.
“UCLA Announces New Endowed Chair: The Arnold Klein, M.D., Chair in Dermatology.” Newsroom.ucla.edu, July 23, 2004 (PR).
Waxman, Sharon. “Exclu: 5 Doctors Named in 2004 Police Report.” Thewrap.com, July 6, 2009 (I) (hereafter cited as Waxman, “Doctors Named”).
CHAPTER 13
The AP’s “Michael Jackson Returns to U.S.” story had been set up as an announcement of MJ’s trip to Japan and some newspapers made that the headline; most though, led with MJ’s coming back to America. That his location was being kept secret is evident from the “Michael Jackson Sets the Record Straight” allmichaeljackson.com post. MJ’s long relationship with Las Vegas: Weatherford. Gordy, and Abner predicting failure for the Jacksons’s 1974 Vegas shows: Taraborrelli. Scene after 2003 raid on Neverland: Schaffel. Million Dollar Listing of Neverland: Bain’s press release February 7, 2007. Considering sale of Neverland, refinancing deal stalled due to pending legal claims: AS2, Boshoff, Siklos (see Chapter 1 notes). MJ unhappy about inability to shop, spend freely: AS1 and AS2. Japan trip details: Talmadge/AP, allmichaeljackson.com, Bain PR releases, Michael Jackson Timeline. “Drugged up,” “incoherent”: Wishna to Duke/Saeed/CNN shortly after MJ’s death. Movements, plans in Las Vegas: Clarke, Katsomiletes. Condition of Monte Cristo house: Wishna in Clarke’s “Jackson changes Las Vegas address.” Assorted brokers: Zar Zanganeh promotes himself as MJ’s Las Vegas real estate broker, and he was the one who arranged the Monte Cristo rental, but MJ used a number of other brokers to search for properties. MJ robot: first appearance seems to be NME.com March 2007. “Heading back to Europe”: Clarke/“Michael Jackson is leaving Las Vegas.” Prince Azim’s birthday party: AS1; also Tohme (who heard about it later). Randy Phillips on meetings with MJ: interviews pre- and immediately post-MJ’s death, including Lee-Ryan/”Deep pockets”/LA Times, Adams/”Final decline”/Independent. Description of initial meeting and Phillips’s “He was listening”: Hoffman/Rolling Stone. MJ and Phillips discussing something like Celine Dion’s show: Tohme, secondhand; a Dion-like residency was being reported almost from the time MJ arrived in Las Vegas. Declining BET Awards: AS1, Friedman/“Michael Jackson Moving to Virginia,” later in Posner/“Michael’s Missing Millions” (see Chapter 6 notes). “Too incapacitated”: Ron Weisner; Raymone Bain denied saying this: starpulse.com. Jackson family concerns about Bain’s attempts to control MJ: Mesereau, Tohme, Friedman/“Michael Jackson’s Family Calls for Help.” Raymone Bain background: Wiltz, Washington Post (flattering); confidential sources (less so). MJ looking at real estate in D.C. area: Bain to Post’s Argetsinger/Roberts. Venable: venable.com. Memo warning staffers not to “gawk”: Howard King; Argetsinger/Roberts. Venable deposition: King, Wiesner; King also permitted me to read and take notes from his transcript. Roger Friedman apparently got a copy, also, because he quoted dialogue exactly in his “Michael Jackson Admits Drug Use in Testimony” column.
Stay with Cascios: Cascios interviews with Oprah Winfrey (see Chapter 1 notes), ABC, New York Daily News; Rwaramba to Barak (see Chapter 1 notes); Rwaramba statement to LAPD, Friedman, MJ to Dieter Wiesner, AS1, Mesereau; Taraborrelli/“Jacko the hobo” also contributed. I think it should be obvious which is which, certainly in the case of Rwaramba’s recollections. Dominick and Connie Cascio quotes: Oprah; Frank remarks: ABC; Eddie: Drew Today. Bodyguards’ concerns about not being paid, MJ kicked out of hotels: interviews with ABC. Ayscough claim: Ayscough’s complaint, confidential source. Claims by Randy Jackson and Taunya Zilkie: claims that became part of estate probate case. Halloween Store: Daily News. Departure from Cascios: AS1, who told me in separate conversations that MJ left because he knew the media had found him, and because of Jesse Jackson’s birthday party.
COURT FILES
Civil
BP 117321
YCOF2627 (Los Angeles Superior Court), Ayscough & Marder v. Michael J. Jackson, July 25, 2006.
DOCUMENTS
Deposition of Michael Jackson by Howard King in the Dieter Wiesner lawsuit at the offices of the Venable law firm in Washingtyon, D.C. (not actual title, document reviewed by author).
MJ AND LAS VEGAS
Weatherford, Mike. “Michael Jackson’s Relationship with Las Vegas Started at Young Age.” Las Vegas Review-Journal, June 26, 2009.
EARLY LAS VEGAS STAY/MONTE CRISTO HOUSE PERIOD/FINANCIAL STRAINS
Bain, Raymone. “Brand New Music from Michael Jackson.” February 12, 2007 (PR).
Boshoff, Alison. “Michael Jackson—the Man Who Blew a Billion.” Daily Mail, November 24, 2008.
Clarke, Norm. “Jackson Changes Las Vegas Address.” Las Vegas Review-Journal, July 3, 2007.
Duke, Alan, and Saeed Ahmed. “Portrait of Jackson’s Pill Consumption Emerges.” cnn.com, July 10, 2009 (I).
“John Katsomiletes Stamps Out a Rumor with the Help of a Man Who Put His Stamp on Las Vegas.” Las Vegas Sun, March 4, 2007.
Littlefield, Christina, and Sito Negron. “After Arrest, Pop Star Takes Crowds for a Ride.” Las Vegas Sun, November 2003.
“Michael Jackson Denies BET Awards Snub.” starpulse.com, July 6, 2007 (I).
“Michael Jackson Returns to U.S.” Associated Press, January 26, 2007 (I).
“Michael Jackson to Build Robot Replica in Las Vegas?” NME.com, March 27, 2007 (I).
Miller, Steve. “Inside Vegas: Vegas Is a Second Chance Town.” AmericanMafia.com, June 20, 2005 (I).
“Raymone Bain Releases Statement.” February 7, 2007 (PR).
“Statement from Raymone Bain Regarding Lawsuit.” January 13, 2007 (PR).
JAPAN TRIP/RETURN
Talmadge, Eric. “Jackson ‘Wouldn’t Change a Thing.’” Associated Press, March 8, 2007.
DEPARTURE FROM LAS VEGAS/EAST COAST STAY
Adams, Guy. “Michael Jackson: The Final Decline of a Pop Legend.” Independent, June 26, 2009.
Argetsinger, Amy, and Roxanne Roberts. “The Return of Jacko.” Washingtonpost.com, July 27, 2007.
Clarke, Norm. “Michael Jackson Is Leaving Las Vegas.” Las Vegas Review-Journal, July 2, 2007.
Friedman, Roger. “Michael Jackson Admits Drug Use in Testimony.” Fox News,
October 25, 2007 (I).
———. “Michael Jackson Evidently Moving to Rental Home in Virginia.” Fox News, July 3, 2007 (I).
———. “Michael Jackson’s Family Calls for Help.” Fox News, June 29, 2007 (I).
Lee, Chris, and Harriet Ryan. “Deep Pockets Behind Michael Jackson.” Los Angeles Times, May 31, 2009 (hereafter cited as Lee and Ryan, “Deep Pockets”).
Netter, Sarah. “Michael Jackson Bodyguards: ‘We Were Asked to Leave Hotels.’” abcnews.com, March 8, 2010 (I).
Wiltz, Teresa. “Keeper of the Famed.” Washington Post, October 8, 2006.
CASCIO STAY/NEW JERSEY
“Alumnus Lands Three Tracks on King of Pop’s New CD Ad a Spot on Oprah’s Couch.” Drew Today, December 14, 2010.
Friedman, Roger. “Jacko Lived with New Jersey Family for Three Months.” Fox News, November 19, 2007 (I).
Netter, Sarah. “Befriending Michael Jackson—Longtime Pal Says King of Pop Yearned for Normalcy.” abcnews.com, July 7, 2009 (I).
Taraborrelli, J. Randy. “Jacko the Hobo’s Worldwide Trail of Debt.” Daily Mail, December 11, 2007.
Winfrey, Oprah. “Michael Jackson Recorded Music in the Cascio Home.” Oprah, December 6, 2010 (RT) (hereafter cited as Oprah, “Cascio Home”).
———. “Secret Friendship” (RT).
Yaniv, Oren, and Adam Nichol. “Michael Jackson Hid with Kids in Jersey.” New York Daily News, December 12, 2007.
CHAPTER 14
MJ–Ron Burkle relationship: AS2, CS2. Stay with Burkle, Jesse Jackson involvement: New York Post. Burkle background (incl. Green Acres fund-raiser, Jesse Jackson): “The Complete Ron Burkle.” Details of financial assistance Burkle gave MJ: AS2, Friedman/“Billionaire to the rescue,” Siklos (see Chapter 1 notes), Gawker. MJ was deposed in the Prescient case at Versailles, passing through France on his way to Ireland. Prescient deposition: Friedman/“Michael Jackson Will Lose Beatles Catalog.” MJ actually said far harsher things about his brother Randy than I reported here; see the “Mijac Claimed on 18 June 2007, Brother Randy Stole His Money” article at michaeljackson.com. MJ meeting Burkle at Cochran’s funeral/Fortress Investments pressure on MJ: Siklos article (see Chapter 1 notes), the most comprehensive account of the financial machinations around MJ in this period (AS2 first suggested that I read it). MJ paying lawyers but not paying bodyguards: their interviews with ABC. Details of the Prescient case: documents provided to me, Friedman, Siklos (see Chapter 1 notes). Nona Jackson, Manuela Gomela Ruiz (the elderly woman who died in the hospital): complaint filings. Sheikh Abdullah lawsuit: court filings, AS2, CS2, and Tohme, who dealt with the Al Khalifas personally in negotiating a settlement of the case. Quotations in that section: court testimony (as reported by the British press; see articles regarding Rwaramba testimony in Chapter 1 notes), pleadings.
Leiber-Stoller catalog: AS2, CS2, Butler/Billboard. Call to Leiber and Stoller; Sony paying full cost of the purchase: AS2, Siklos (Siklos reported that it was only Stoller MJ called, which may be correct; see Chapter 1 notes). Danger of losing Neverland to Fortress in a default: Friedman, Siklos (see Chapter 1). Burkle introducing MJ to George Maloof: AS2. Maloof on MJ’s stay at the Palms: Maloof to Katsilometes, except where attributed to Larry King interview in the text. “Plaster of Disguise”: Moodie/Daily Mail; follow-up quotes: contactmusic.com, finditt.com, hollyscoop.com.
I acknowledge that the long plastic surgery section in this chapter could be described as interpretive, perhaps even as opinionated. It was the result of nearly three years of research and dozens of conversations with people who knew MJ. The point of view is my own, but it’s an informed point of view. Among those things that informed me was the footage for the “What More Can I Give?” video that was shot by Marc Schaffel in 2001 and is now in the possession of Howard Mann. I doubt that MJ ever looked worse than he does in those harshly lit scenes, and his discomfort with himself and with being seen in person for the first time by some of the musicians and singers he had chosen as collaborators was palpable to me. I actually found his onscreen sadness almost unbearable to watch.
MJ’s perfectionism: multiple reports, including from collaborators such as Lenny Kravitz, Akon, and others who worked with him in the last year of his life. Making Bad “as perfect as humanly possible”: MJ to Rolling Stone, Taraborrelli. Bad “over-produced”: Rolling Stone managing editor Will Dana in 2009, summarizing critical reaction at the time. MJ’s first two plastic surgeries, Dr. Hoefflin: Taraborrelli. Arnold Klein work on MJ: billing and medical records, Dr. Wallace Goodstein to People (“Michael Jackson’s Plastic Surgery”). Klein diagnosing vitiligo: Klein to Seal/Vanity Fair (see Chapter 12 notes), and elsewhere. Vitiligo and lupus background, emotional implications of treatment, link to childhood trauma: my research, in particular, “What is Vitiligo?”/National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases pamphlet; Deepak Chopra to People. Porcelana, “I do want to be perfect,” third nose job/comparison to Diana Ross: Taraborrelli. Reaction to old photograph: Hilburn/“The wounds, the broken heart (see Chapter 4 notes).”
Hoefflin has never acknowledged the extent of the surgeries he performed on MJ (perhaps to protect his patient’s privacy), but there is a substantial public record (incl. information from nurses’ lawsuit against Hoefflin, Dr. Goodstein to People). Cleft in MJ’s chin: stories I recall from LA gossip columns from living there in 1986; MJ acknowledging it: Taraborrelli.
What I write about MJ’s plastic surgery and his feelings about race are, ultimately, my own conclusions, based on my reading of the evidence. “If he couldn’t erase Joe from his life”: Marcus Phillips to Taraborrelli; I heard more or less the same thing from Schaffel, Wiesner, and Tohme years later. MJ on separating from the Jackson 5 to “become me”: Steven Howell in Secret Childhood. “Big, tall mean guys”: MJ to Boteach; although MJ wasn’t specifically speaking about Joe, I think it’s pretty clear that’s where the fear he was talking about originated. Stacy Brown observations: Man Behind the Mask. “Splaboos” to do more with class than race: Schaffel, Tohme. MJ disturbed people thought he wanted to be white: Gotham Chopra in People’s “Deepak Chopra: Michael Jackson Had Lupus.” Admisions he’d gone too far with plastic surgery: Rolling Stone’s 1991 “The Making of the King of Pop” (cited earlier).
MJ playing Hoefflin and Klein off against one another: both doctors in interviews; lawsuits against each other. Klein trying to prevent MJ from more Hoefflin operations: affirmed by Schaffel. Klein-Hoefflin rivalry: Seal/Vanity Fair, Ryan/LA Times on Klein’s lawsuit against Hoefflin. Nurses’ lawsuit vs. Hoefflin: People, LA Times (by two different women with very similar names); “Ugly face of beauty”/Independent. Hoefflin claims of vindication: his Web site. Court documents showing $42,000 payments to nurses: Diane Dimond/Daily Beast. Hoefflin and Klein withholding law enforcement access to files: People v. Jackson court file. Chopra on MJ’s “poor body image”: Time’s MJ commemorative issue. MJ weeping when Us magazine editor “could no longer put him on the cover”: AS1. Werner Mang claims: “Jackson’s Nose Patched Up”/Daily Mail; Hoefflin denial of Mang claims: contactmusic.com. Sinnreich/”blow holes”: vitals.com (see Chapter 12 notes). Prosthetic noses: multiple sources; Adrian McManus comments: Daily Mail (may have run first in the Mirror). I heard the story about MJ’s nose falling off long before it was published in Rolling Stone, from Will Dana. MJ on Bobby Driscoll: MJ to Boteach. Driscoll life story: Beck, Larson. That the nose MJ wore during the last years of his life was Bobby Driscoll’s should be obvious to anyone who looks at side-by-side pictures of the two.
JESSE JACKSON PARTY/RON BURKLE/FINANCES
Banfield, Ashleigh, and Angela Ellis. “Michael Jackson: Inside His Family and Finances.” abcnews.go.com, March 10, 2010 (I).
Butler, Susan. “Sony/ATV Acquires Lieber and Stoller.” Billboard, April 16, 2007.
“The Company Ron Burkle Keeps.” Gawker.com, July 1, 2008 (I).
Friedman, Roger. “Billionaire to the Rescue for Jacko.” Fox News, April 25, 2005 (I).
———. “Michael Jackson Will Lose Beatles Catalog in ’08.” Fox News, March 9, 2007 (I).
Horowitz, Jason. “The Complete Ron Burkle.” New York Observer, April 12, 2006.
“Jacko, Kids Squat with Burkle.” New York Post, November 20, 2007.
PALMS/MALOOFS
Katsilometes, John. “Michael Jackson Recorded New Song ‘Hold My Hand’ at Palms, but Had ‘Artistic Differences’ with Playboy Suite.” Las Vegas Sun, November 12, 2010.
King, Larry. “Interview with George Maloof.” CNN, August 19, 2011 (RT).
PLASTIC SURGERY
Chopra, Deepak. “Remembering Michael.” Time, June 2009. Special “Michael Jackson 1958–2009” commemorative issue.
Dimond, Diane. “It’s Getting Even Weirder.” Daily Beast, August 5, 2009 (I) (hereafter cited as Dimond, “Even Weirder”).
“Jackson Has ‘Surgery’ After Hit by Son.” Contactmusic.com, December 24, 2007 (I).
Messer, Lesley. “Deepak Chopra: Michael Jackson Had Lupus.” People, June 27, 2009.
“Michael Jackson Gets a Beating.” hollyscoop.com, December 24, 2007 (I).
“Michael Jackson Needs Surgery After Being Whacked by Son Prince.” finditt.com, December 24, 2007 (I).
“Michael Jackson Wore a Fake Nose, and It Was Missing as He Lay in the Morgue.” Daily Mail, July 25, 2009.
Moodie, Clemmie. “Plaster of Disguise: Bandaged Michael Jackson Goes Shopping in Las Vegas.” Daily Mail, December 21, 2007.
O’Neill, Anne-Marie. “Under Scrutiny.” People, November 24, 1997.
O’Neill, Ann W. “Doctor Files Suits Alleging Defamation.” Los Angeles Times, November 12, 1997.
Orr, Deborah. “The Ugly Face of Beauty.” Independent, February 19, 1999.
“A Photographic History of Michael Jackson’s Face.” anomalies-unlimited.com (I).
“Plastic Surgeon Steven M. Hoefflin Is Cleared and Vindicated of All Legal Claims Against Him.” Hoefflin Center for Plastic Surgery, hoefflin.com (PR).
Ryan, Harriet. “Michael Jackson’s Dermatologist Sues Another Physician.” Los Angeles Times, September 16, 2009.
Seal, “Doctor Will Sue.”
Triggs, Charlotte. “Inside Story: Michael Jackson’s Plastic Surgery.” People, July 10, 2009.
“What Is Vitiligo?” niams.nih.gov, November 2010 (I).
Wigmore, Barry. “Jackson’s Nose Patched Up with Ear.” Daily Mail, August 23, 2004.
BOBBY DRISCOLL
Beck, Marilyn. “With Re-Release of Disney Film—Child Star’s Tragic Death Described.” North American Newspaper Alliance, July 14, 1971.
Larson, Donna. “Bobby Driscoll Won’t Be Around for Reissue of Song of the South.” Los Angeles Times, February 13, 1972.
CHAPTER 15
Thompson, Cobb, Bazilio, and Associates audit: I was able to read and make notes, but don’t have a copy. I haven’t listed it among my sources for that reason; I don’t recall the specific title of the document or the exact date on the cover letter. Associated Press reporter Stevenson Jacobs apparently saw it as well. MJ’s only choices (besides selling his share of the Sony/ATV catalog) to borrow more money or file for bankruptcy: Tohme, Hawk, AS2, CS2, among others. MJ’s refinancing details: same sources, plus Siklos (see Chapter 1 notes), who had details about HSBC and Plainfield involvement in Mijac loan. Refinancing money to settle lawsuits, pay off John Branca: Tohme, Hawk, AS2, CS2, Siklos (see Chapter 1 notes). Deal with Branca: documents in Joe Jackson lawsuit against Michael Jackson Estate. “Obvious problems”: my analysis of Thompson, Cobb audit and refinancing details, plus Hawk, AS2, and, especially, Tohme. Promotion and success of Thriller 25: Sony press releases collected on MJ MySpace, Facebook pages, michaeljackson.com, “Charts and Certifications”/Wikipedia, Herrera/Billboard, “Artist Chart History.” “Working day and night”: Will.i.am in michaeljacksonbeat.blogspot.com collection of artist quotes on comeback album (see Chapter 9 notes). Thanks again to R.J. 7even, leaking of Pras and Akon duets: michaeljackson.com, michaeljacksonbeat.blogspot.com (which also has Will.i.am MTV interview, quotes from Chris Brown, 50 Cent, Syience, and Carlos Santana, Ne-Yo’s Rolling Stone interview; see Chapter 9 notes). Ne-Yo, Will.i.am and Akon were among the many who spoke about MJ’s insistence that there was no point in putting out another album unless it was the best work he had ever done.
Palomino lease: original lease agreement, signed by Brother Michael on MJ’s behalf. Description of property: Tohme, also Hawk, CS2.
MJ actually stayed at the Bolkiahs’ Spanish Trail estate briefly in summer 2007, between leaving Monte Cristo and leaving for the East Coast. Jefri Bolkiah’s wastrel ways: Seal/Vanity Fair. Condition of Spanish Trails house, MJ’s determination to purchase it: Tohme, Brother Michael, AS1. Sony withholding Thriller 25 royalties: Tohme. Farrakhan’s son as MJ’s cook: Hawk, Tohme. Brother Michael’s position in household: Hawk, Tohme, CS2. Because of a promise of confidentiality, I can’t name the attorney quoted about MJ and the Muslims. Foreclosure and refinancing of Neverland: primarily Tohme, who ultimately brokered the deal that kept it in MJ’s possession; comprehensive account: Lee/Ryan “Deep pockets behind”/LA Times; risk of losing it, foreclosure, auction notice: Friedman, foreclosurelistingsca.com. McMillan boasting on “confidential” arrangement: McMillan to Moody/AP.
I anticipate that Tohme Tohme will be the most controversial of my sources. Since Tohme was indispensable to me as a source, and because our relationship illustrates how complicated my investigation of Michael Jackson’s last days became, I’m going to explain it at length here. This is how I met Tohme: Tom Mesereau told me I should talk to Dennis Hawk, who had been Michael’s main attorney during the final year of his life and was a good man. After I interviewed Dennis a couple of times, he said he’d like to attempt an introduction to Michael’s “mysterious” manager, Tohme Tohme. Dennis described Tohme as terribly misunderstood and said the man had been treated more unfairly by the media than just about any other significant figure in the Michael Jackson story. Tohme and I eventually met three times at Hawk’s office in Santa Monica and, irascible as he is, I liked him. Also, I recognized it as a coup that he was speaking to me at such length and in such detail. I knew that lots of network correspondents and various national media had been trying to score an in-depth interview with Tohme and that he’d turned them all down. (I especially enjoyed hearing from Tohme about how “Barry King” kept trying to take him to lunch at Spago.) “You are the only one I trust,” Tohme told me. Naturally, that was pleasing to my ears. Michael’s former manager and I began to talk regularly on the phone and to meet for drinks whenever I was in LA. As I worked to verify what he was telling me, though, I heard more and more people question Tohme’s professional manner and credibility. Howard Mann, for example, shared information about Tohme with me that he believed cast him in a bad light.
In a long and threatening letter sent to me by Howard Weitzman, co-general counsel for the Michael Jackson estate and John Branca’s right-hand man, there were a number of assertions that challenged statements Tohme had made to me. Tohme had answers to most of these claims and Dennis Hawk largely backed him up but at the very least Weitzman had stirred waters that were looking increasingly murky. And the estate’s attorney had referenced a number of documents concerning Michael Jackson’s separation from Tohme that I found did, in fact, exist and that were, in a couple of cases, indisputably valid.
The fact that Frank Dileo was indisposed complicated matters. I was and am absolutely certain that Dileo resorted to various devious ploys while angling to reenter Michael Jackson’s life in the spring of 2009 and that a number of these were intended to separate Michael from his then-manager, Tohme. Still, I had heard Tohme’s version of events in great detail, but hadn’t spoken to Dileo, who fell into a coma right around the time I began trying to make contact with him. I spoke to his wife Linda to check on something Tohme had told me about Frank and Mrs. Dileo insisted, convincingly, that it wasn’t true. Her husband never recovered, so in the end I had to rely on the public record and on what Frank Dileo had said in various interviews, including with the police, to get his side of the story. It didn’t make him look good—there were a number of things he’d said that I knew were false—but it bothered me that I couldn’t offer him a chance to respond to accusations I was hearing from Tohme and others. I was certain that Randy Phillips knew the whole truth about what had transpired, but Phillips was claiming that he couldn’t talk to me about any of that without the approval of AEG Live’s legal counsel, Marvin Putnam, who told me that, because of Katherine Jackson’s wrongful death lawsuit, he was compelled to advise Mr. Phillips not to speak to me at this time. Other than the e-mail in which Phillips asserted that there was “much confusion” surrounding the subject of Michael Jackson’s management, “much of it caused by Michael himself,” I got no help from the AEG Live boss.
Meanwhile, Howard Weitzman and Mike Sitrick, both representatives of John Branca, were defending Dileo to me while attacking Tohme. Branca, though, declined to answer any questions about his personal dealings with either man. Then, in the early summer of 2011, I introduced Tohme to Perry Sanders and sat in on a couple of meetings between the two. At the time, I was trying to help Tohme settle his differences with both the Jackson family and the Michael Jackson estate (and, of course, collect whatever useful information might surface in the process). Sanders started out liking Tohme, but became increasingly skeptical about the man. They met at least once when I wasn’t present, and Sanders began to tell me he didn’t trust Tohme because he’d caught the man in several “internal contradictions,” meaning that Tohme had told different versions of the same story in separate conversations. Sanders also said that Tohme had “outright lied” on at least a couple of occasions. These “lies” sounded petty to me—more akin to braggadocio than to some grand deception, but still. And I was bothered when Katherine Jackson made it clear she didn’t trust Tohme, suggesting he was a con man who had taken advantage of her son Michael. Mrs. Jackson also seemed to put some stock in the accusations made by other members of her family—most notably La Toya—that Tohme had looted the Carolwood chateau after Michael’s body was removed from it, that he had made some sort of under-the-table deal on the Neverland refinance, and that he might even be complicit in Michael’s death. Many of my concerns in these regards were swept away by my first interview with Ron Williams, the former Secret Service agent whose company was charged with securing the Carolwood property on the evening that Michael Jackson died. Williams backed Tohme’s story of what happened on the day of Michael Jackson’s death in every detail and made it clear that if anything had been taken from the Carolwood house, it was likely by the Jackson women, led by La Toya herself.
My concerns about Tohme were revived when I began to hear things from Michael Amir Williams—Brother Michael—that called the man’s character into further question. Learning that Michael Jackson had agreed to have Tohme’s background examined by a private investigator and that, according to Brother Michael, Tohme had been caught in a number of claims about his relationships with the rich and famous that were either exaggerated or untrue, raised fresh doubts. I’ve reported Brother Michael’s claims, and the fact that Tohme disputes them. I think that Brother Michael has possibly garbled things he heard about mostly secondhand, but that there is a good deal of truth in his account.
It’s my understanding that the Michael Jackson estate (which is to say John Branca and Howard Weitzman) also hired private investigators to look into Tohme’s background. Among other things, those investigators recovered a couple of pieces of historical flotsam that I don’t consider to be of any real significance but that have threatened this very proud man with embarrassment. Although I don’t believe that either of these minor revelations is anything Tohme should be ashamed of, he pleaded with me to leave them out of this book and I decided to do as he asked. I don’t believe I’m covering up for him, merely sparing the man some needless humiliation. I feel compelled to report, though, that Internet reports that Tohme used to be married to Randy Phillips’s sister are untrue. I should also add that Tohme refused to tell me what kind of “doctor” he was. I’m pretty sure he has never possessed a medical license.
I was, of course, more concerned about suggestions by Brother Michael, by members of the Jackson family, and by the Michael Jackson estate that Tohme had cheated Michael Jackson financially. I agree that Tohme did, as Brother Michael said, make side deals with Jermaine Jackson and Tom Barrack prior to Colony Capital’s takeover of Neverland Ranch, but to the best of my knowledge those were merely finder’s fee arrangements that appear to be lucrative but legitimate. Also, Tohme fully disclosed the deal with Barrack to both Michael’s attorney and his accountant. Dennis Hawk was adamant that Tohme had been “pristine” in his handling of Michael Jackson’s business and financial affairs, but Brother Michael, like Howard Mann, answered that Tohme and Hawk were cooperating. The one person that I knew would be able to speak authoritatively on the subject of how Tohme had dealt with Michael Jackson’s business, financial, and legal affairs was Jeff Cannon, who had served as Michael’s accountant for most of the last two years of his life. Cannon, I knew, was not Tohme’s man. He had gone to work for Michael initially at the behest of Ron Burkle’s company, well before Tohme was on the scene, and had remained an independent agent. Cannon told me very clearly that Tohme had been utterly above board in his handling of Michael’s affairs and had not made any attempt to benefit financially from their relationship, other than through the earnings he was to make as Jackson’s manager, and never actually received even that money before Michael’s death. Cannon agreed with Dennis Hawk that Tohme had been very careful about spending Michael’s money, going so far as to rent a tiny office in West Los Angeles for a thousand dollars a month at a time when he was being told by his client to spend $50,000 per month on a suite of offices in Beverly Hills. Cannon also said that Tohme had been exceptionally scrupulous in handling the money that Michael set aside in the “Lockbox” as a down payment on a new home. He had been fully aware of that money, the accountant said, had kept track of it “to the penny,” and was absolutely certain that Tohme handed over every cent of it to the estate. Cannon also agreed with Dennis Hawk that Tohme was probably not legally obligated to return that money, that Tohme could have simply kept it as an advance against the management fees he was owed, and that his decision to surrender it anyway demonstrated an exceptional degree of integrity. The money Tohme turned over to the estate (on the assumption that it would come back to him later) also included the $2.3 million fee he received for brokering the Neverland Ranch deal with Tom Barrack. Again, neither Hawk nor Cannon felt that Tohme was obligated to surrender that money, and were impressed that he had done so.
After my conversations with Jeff Cannon and Ron Williams, I was feeling much better about the trust I’d placed in Tohme. I was also becoming convinced that Brother Michael was the one who needed to answer some tough questions. Ron Williams told me that nearly two weeks after Michael Jackson’s death, Brother Michael and Joe Jackson had showed up at Michael’s house in Las Vegas to try to remove property and valuables. Williams’s Talon Executive Services operatives were at the Palomino Drive property (by then Talon was working for the Michael Jackson estate and refused to allow Joe Jackson or Brother Michael inside the Palomino house). A shouting scene ensued, I was told, but the Talon operatives held firm. Brother Michael, through Perry Sanders, insisted that he had never gone to the Las Vegas house after Michael Jackson’s death, with Joe Jackson or anyone else. He did accompany Katherine and Janet Jackson to the Carolwood chateau on one occasion after Jackson’s death, according to Brother Michael, but Ron Williams didn’t recall that. I hold Ron Williams in high regard as a witness, but all I can say for certain is that he and Brother Michael are telling very different stories. I was also told by at least three sources that Brother Michael had somehow come into possession of Michael Jackson’s navy blue Cadillac Escalade, which he was seen driving around Los Angeles for months after Jackson’s death. A number of stories were told to me about why Brother Michael was in possession of the vehicle, though no one showed me any persuasive evidence. Brother Michael himself insists that he never had the Escalade and that the stories being repeated about him are untrue.
What I’m sure of is that Tohme Tohme was the central figure in Michael Jackson’s business and personal affairs for much of the last fifteen months of Michael’s life and that he possesses knowledge of what took place during that period that no one else has. This makes him a valuable source. I don’t pretend to be unaffected by the fact that I’m the only person with whom Tohme has shared much of that information, and I don’t deny that I’m slightly concerned that there may be facts about Tohme that will emerge over time to undermine his credibility. Howard Weitzman has said that he has information that could get Tohme locked up (just as Tohme has told me he has information that could send John Branca to prison “for years”). No one has shown me any proof that either claim is true, and I tend to agree with Tom Mesereau that this sounds like the sort of posturing that takes place when people are lining up against each other in civil litigation. All I can report is that a number of independent sources, among them Dennis Hawk, Jeff Cannon, Tom Williams, and Sean Najarian, have consistently confirmed things I’ve heard from Tohme. In the end, I’ve relied heavily on Tohme’s version of events, but have tried to make clear, where I had no confirming source, that these are his claims, not certifiable facts.
“Financier with a murky past”: Deutsch. Tohme’s background: Tohme, Hawk, CS1; public record of his business dealings, including with Tom Barrack. Tohme quotes throughout chapter: interviews with me, except where indicated. Tohme giving Jermaine use of the Rolls-Royce: Brother Michael, Mann. Birthday party: security guards to ABC (see Chapter 12 notes). Grace paying for balloons: Rwaramba to Barak (see Chapter 1 notes). Tom Barrack background: Tohme, Tully/Fortune, including Trump acknowledgment, “too much money chasing too few deals”; Barrack appeared in much coverage of Neverland refinance and O2 shows. Barrack charmed by MJ and the things the two discovered they had in common: Tohme, Barrack to Lee/Ryan/LA Times, to Siklos/Fortune (see Chapter 1 notes). Deal between MJ and Barrack with Tohme as middleman, Sillerman’s trip to Ireland: Siklos (see Chapter 1 notes). MJ determined to focus on moviemaking over music: Schaffel, King, Wiesner, Tohme. Attempt to buy Marvel: Dean/Comics Journal, which had confirmation and specifics of the deal Dieter Wiesner had described to me; web reporting. Cinegroupe deal, anger at Spielberg and Geffen, Wiesner quotes generally: Wiesner interviews. Stan Lee confirmation of MJ’s intention to buy Marvel and play Spiderman: Lee to comicsalliance.com. MJ separating from Jehovah’s Witnesses over “Smooth Criminal” video: Karen Faye’s “A Life Intersected” blog. Andrew Lloyd Webber on MJ/Phantom: Webber to Daily Telegraph. Tom Hedley/Hunchback: Phoebe Larmore, literary agent for Hedley’s close friend Tom Robbins, via my manager Jeanne Field. MJ-Brando private acting lessons: Schaffel. Determination to play Willy Wonka, soundtrack he wrote and performed: Schaffel, Wiesner. To my knowledge, it’s never been publicly disclosed before now. Christian Audigier’s birthday party/Audigier generally: Tohme, photos and video on YouTube, at popsugar.com. Dinner with Barrack: Tohme, date/location: Michael Jackson Timeline. Barrack Hilton and Station Casinos ideas: Tohme, Siklos (see Chapter 1 notes). MJ not that interested: Tohme. MJ liking Tohme’s Brunei ties: Brother Michael e-mail via Perry Sanders. Spanish Trails estate: Tohme, Clarke/“Michael Jackson Waving Goodbye,” “Slashes Price to $25 Million”/Wall Street Journal. Troubles with Palomino house neighbors: Tohme, Clarke/“Michael Jackson living near school”; also, Hawk, CS2. 2008 work at the Palms: CS1, Elfman/Las Vegas Review-Journal. Meeting with Peter Lopez: Tohme; Lopez did not disagree, to my knowledge, though he and Tohme disagreed about other things. As an aside, I know quite a bit about Peter Lopez’s law practice as my longtime entertainment attorney was one of Peter’s law firm partners. Out of respect for the man’s family I’ve left the subject of his suicide alone; I established to my own satisfaction that the rumors that Peter didn’t really kill himself and that his “suspicious” death was somehow connected to MJ’s were without basis.
Hawk calling Randy Phillips “a classy guy”: Tohme, during an interview with Hawk present. “Summit” between MJ and Anschutz at the MGM Grand: primarily Tohme; also, Hoffman, Siklos, Phillips to Rolling Stone, Fortune; Gongaware at Murray trial. “Laser focused”: Phillips to Siklos (see Chapter 1 notes). “Fans coming to you”: Phillips; MJ pleased by the idea: Tohme. King of Pop’s success: Billboard, allmichaeljackson.com. Journalists required to identify MJ as the “King of Pop”: Tohme. “Michael Jackson Dance,” the Bravo Legends series, and the Hot Toys deals, releases and successes: allmichaeljackson.com. Lockbox account set up: Tohme, confirmed by MJ accountant Steve Cannon, Hawk. Continuing desire for Spanish Gate estate, reliance on Tohme to get it done: Brother Michael. MJ-AEG terms: the agreements (two separate ones were signed), much related e-mail correspondence. Tohme was the source of the statement issued on MJ’s behalf about touring with his brothers. Negotiations with MJ/“Why say yes to the tour now?”: Randy Phillips to Daily Telegraph. MJ wanting to be known for his work and not his “lifestyle” and “People said I was crazy”: Phillips to Hoffman/Rolling Stone. “Everybody said two things about him”: Barrack to Siklos (see Chapter 1 notes).
COURT FILES
Civil
BP117321 (Los Angeles Superior Court) Joseph Jackson v. The Estate of Michael Joseph Jackson, November 10, 2009 (hereafter cited as LASC BP117321 11/10/09).
BC445597 (Los Angeles Superior Court) Katherine Jackson, Michael Joseph Jackson Jr., Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson, and Prince Michael Jackson II v. AEG Live LLC, Anschutz Entertainment Group, Brandon Phillips (aka Randy Phillips), Kenneth Ortega (aka Kenny Ortega), Paul Gongaware, and Timothy Leiweke, September 15, 2010 (hereafter cited as LASC BC445597).
BP117321 (Los Angeles Superior Court) John Branca and John McClain, Co-Executors of the Estate of Michael Jackson v. Tohme R. Tohme, February 17, 2012 (hereafter cited as LASC BP117321 2/17/12).
DOCUMENTS
“Dear Michael.” Letter from John Branca (and his law firm). April 15, 2006 (hereafter cited as Branca 4/15/06).
“Original Lease of 2710 Palomino, Las Vegas, Nevada,” signed by Michael Amir Williams and James Beasley. February 28, 2008.
“Julien Auctions LLC Consignment Agreement” for Michael Jackson’s personal property to be removed from Neverland Ranch, signed by Darren Julien and Tohme Tohme, August 7, 2008 (hereafter cited as Julien and Tohme, 8/7/08).
“Promissory Note.” Loan Agreement between Michael J. Jackson and AEG Live. January 26, 2009 (hereafter cited as “Promissory Note” 1/26/09).
E-mail from Michael Amir Williams to Arlyne Lewiston, executive assistant to Brandon K. Phillips, president and CEO of AEG Live. April 27, 2009 (hereafter cited as Williams to Lewiston, 4/27/09).
E-mail from Arlyne Lewiston to Michael Amir Williams. April 27, 2009 (hereafter cited as Lewiston to Williams, 4/27/09).
“RE: E-mail to Michael Sitrick, Dated March 24, 2011.” Letter from Howard Weitzman to Randall Sullivan and Morgan Entrekin. March 31, 2011 (hereafter cited as Weitzman to Sullivan and Entrekin, 3/31/11).
“RE: Michael Jackson Book.” E-mail from Randy Phillips to Randall Sullivan. April 4, 2011 (hereafter cited as Phillips to Sullivan, 4/4/11).
“RE: Weitzman.” E-mail from Mike Sitrick to Randall Sullivan, April 7, 2011.
“Michael Jackson hired Tohme.” E-mail from Michael Amir Williams to Perry Sanders, November 3, 2011 (hereafter cited as Williams to Sanders, 11/13/11).
Thompson, Cobb, Bazilio and Associates audit.
FINANCES/AUDIT/NEVERLAND FORECLOSURE
Friedman, Roger. “Michael Jackson’s Lawyer Says Deal Will Save Neverland Ranch from Auction.” Fox News, March 13, 2008 (I).
———. “Michael Jackson’s Neverland on Verge of Foreclosure.” Fox News, January 11, 2008 (I).
Jacobs, Stevenson. “AP Exclusive: Jackson Said Net Worth $236 Million in 2007.” Associated Press, June 30, 2009 (I).
Moody, Nekesa Mumbi. “Jackson Saves Neverland Ranch from Foreclosure.” Associated Press, March 13, 2008.
THRILLER 25
Herrera, Monica. “Michael Jackson: King of Billboard’s Pop Charts.” June 25, 2009.
“Artist Chart History—Michael Jackson.” Billboard.com (I).
“Thriller 25.” Michaeljackson.com (I)
“Thriller 25.” Michael Jackson Facebook (I).
“Thriller 25—Charts and Certifications.” wikipedia.
COMEBACK ALBUM/PALMS
Wardrop, Murray. “Michael Jackson: The Unreleased Album.” Daily Telegraph, June 27, 2009.
TOHME DEALS/KING OF POP
“Bravo Legends.” allmichaeljackson.com, September 10, 2008.
“Hot Toys Announces New Michael Jackson Figurines.” allmichaeljackson.com, September 25, 2008.
“King of Pop Album.” allmichaeljackson.com, September, 2008.
“Michael Jackson Makes History on Euro Charts.” Billboard.com, July 16, 2009.
“Michael Jackson Japan Charts, 1979–2009.” Billboard.com.
“Will.i.am Helps Jacko.” mtv.co.uk, January 4, 2007 (I).
PALOMINO HOUSE/SPANISH GATE ESTATE/BIRTHDAY PARTY
Banfield, Ashleigh. “Michael Jackson’s Secretive Life.” ABC, March 9, 2010 (RT).
Clarke, Norm. “Michael Jackson Waving Goodbye.” Las Vegas Review-Journal, July 4, 2007.
“Michael Jackson at Christian Audigier Birthday Party.” YouTube, May 24, 2008 (I).
“Photos of Britney Spears and Michael Jackson at Christian Audigier’s Birthday Party.” popsugar.com, May 26, 2008 (I).
Seal, Mark. “The Prince Who Blew Through Billions.” Vanity Fair, July 2011.
“Massive Las Vegas Estate Slashes Price to $25 Million.” Wall Street Journal, October 22, 2010.
MOVIES/MARVEL
Burkeman, Oliver. “Brando Became Close Friend of Michael Jackson.” Guardian, September 24, 2004.
Dean, Michael. “How Michael Jackson Almost Bought Marvel.” Excerpted from Comics Journal #270, August 17, 2005.
Faye, Karen. “August 29.” karenfayeblog.com, August 29, 2010 (I).
“Stan Lee on Michael Jackson’s Desire to Buy Marvel and Play Spiderman.” comicsalliance.com, May 23, 2012 (I).
Webber, Andrew Lloyd. “Michael Jackson to Appear in Phantom of the Opera.” Daily Telegraph, June 27, 2009.
TRANSITION TO LA/RETURN TO PALMS
Clarke, Norm. “Michael Jackson Living Near School.” Las Vegas Review-Journal, September 14, 2008.
Elfman, Doug. “Shhh! Music Stars Work in Secret at Palms Studio.” Las Vegas Review-Journal, January 25, 2010.
TOHME/BARRACK/ANSCHUTZ/AEG MEETINGS
Deutsch, Linda. “Jackson’s Mysterious Advisor Opens Up.” Associated Press, July 4, 2009 (hereafter cited as Deutsch, “Mysterious Advisor” 7/4/09).
Hoffman, Claire. “The Last Days of Michael Jackson.” Rolling Stone, July 22, 2009 (hereafter cited as Hoffman, “Last Days”).
Lee and Ryan. “Deep Pockets.”
Mason, Rowena. “Randy Phillips Profile: Michael Jackson’s Promoter Is Making All the Right Moves.” Daily Telegraph, March 14, 2009 (hereafter cited as Mason, “Phillips Profile”).
Tully, Shawn. “I’m Tom Barrack and I’m Getting Out.” Fortune, October 31, 2005.
CHAPTER 16
Visit to Hennessey + Ingalls, Los Angeles bookstores: Kellogg/“Michael Jackson, the bookworm,” supplemented by Tohme, Mesereau (another book collector). “Last Supper” painting: viewable on web; best quality: debbieschlussel.com. “Same things over and over”: Taraborrelli. Reading habits, omnivorous curiosity: Bob Sanger, one of MJ’s many attorneys, to LA Weekly (possibly the catalyst for Kellogg’s story). Watching operations at UCLA, fascination shared with Brando for scientific/technological breakthroughs: AS2, CS1, Wiesner. “Glancing over some Sufi poetry”: Chopra/“Tribute to My Friend.” MJ–Gregory Peck relationship: Haney/Gregory Peck (incl. first meeting, conversation about To Kill a Mockingbird, horseback rides); Peck bio/imdb.com (incl. MJ late entrance at Peck’s funeral); “Gregory Peck and Michael” file/michaeljackson.com (placed there at MJ’s request, including Pecks naming dog Blanket). My manager Jeanne Field was at one time married to Gregory Peck’s son Steve and we did discuss the Peck family (about which she had absolutely nothing negative to say), including Veronique. Letter of support of MJ: mjfanclub.net.
Natalie Maines’s party: theboot.com, Maines to Howard Stern. Masks and costumes on Melrose Avenue: “Halloween comes early . . .”/Daily Mail. As earlier, Tohme’s quotes are from interviews with me except where specified otherwise. MJ/Steve Wynn: Clarke. Halperin’s claim MJ was near death/Tohme response: Daily News. MJ in Pahrump: Ethan Smith/Wall Street Journal. Wishna’s comments to National Enquirer: starpulse.com. MJ interest in “Le Belevedere”: Tohme; details of the property: Ayers profile of Hadid, Angeleno (Tohme scoffed at Hadid’s claims of a relationship with MJ). Rental of Carolwood chateau: Tohme; relevant documents in file of wrongful death lawsuit against AEG; details of property: Cohen/Associated Press. That AEG guaranteed to Guez $1.2 million in rent on the chateau I know from a review of documents that are part of the wrongful death suit. Description of the neighborhood: in large part derived from living for several years on North Beverly Glen Drive; proximity of Carolwood chateau to Lisa Marie Presley’s childhood home: stardriveways.com.
Chandler case: court documents, articles published as the scandal was unfolding, and of course Fischer/“Was Michael Jackson Framed?”; also, Ray Chandler, who was willing to speak on the record about his brother Evan, and about Michael Jackson, but not about his nephew Jordie. MJ’s breakdown in Beverly Hills, ride to Rent-A-Wreck: Fischer; address: court file; turban and veil/sunglasses: Taraborrelli/“Lisa Marie . . . passionate lover.” Driving a Jeep: Taraborrelli, confirmed by CS1 (Fischer said it was a van). How Jordie, his sister, and mother got to Neverland: Fischer; court records. “Do you know how much time I spend up here . . .”: Taraborrelli/Daily Mail (he doesn’t identify his source but a very similar account is in the leaked file of the grand jury proceedings). MJ and Jordie watching The Excorcist, spending night in same bed: Fischer, Orth, court file, June Chandler testimony in People v. Jackson. Conversations between June and Jordie/between June and MJ: June in court file and in People v. Jackson. “Don’t think he has a devious bone”: Fischer, court file. Evan Chandler background, marriage to June: Fischer (information via Pellicano), adjusted by me based on Ray Chandler. Some of that information is in the court file, but most is not. “Everybody liked everybody”: Ray Chandler to David Jones/Daily Mail. I complied with Ray’s request that I would try to quote his previous statements to the media rather than what he said to me, whenever possible.
When I state that Fischer wrote her article “in close collaboration” with Pellicano, I don’t mean to suggest she did no other reporting—she did a great deal. But the key information clearly came from Pellicano, and there’s no doubt in my mind he was using Fischer to get the MJ defense side of the story out. Bert Fields wouldn’t talk to me; I can’t help but believe that this was because of his concern that he could be dragged into Pellicano’s mess. June’s story is in the court file and I also look at her testimony at the criminal trial. Some of Jordie’s account is in the court file, but most of it is from documents that were leaked to journalists.
“They hung out together”: Ray Chandler. Evan Chandler on MJ’s sleepovers at his home: court file, All That Glitters, Chandler family members. “You and Jordie are having sex . . .”: court documents, All That Glitters, media including Taraborrelli/Daily Mail. Chandler/Schwartz tape-recorded conversation: transcript in Fischer, Orth; key evidence in extortion investigation of Evan and Rothman. Ray Chandler claims about Pellicano and Fischer: Ray Chandler interview, All That Glitters. First reporting on tape and contents: Phillips/Ferrell/LA Times.
Rothman background, incl. Tinoa Operations: Fischer (via Pellicano). Other attorneys described Rothman similarly and when I checked his status with the State Bar while working on this book I found that his license to practice law had once again been suspended. Even Ray Chandler did not dispute that Rothman was an unsavory character. Hughes’s description of Rothman, and all quotes from Hughes below except as indicated: Hughes/Redemption. Rothman–E. Chandler relationship/former patient: Ray Chandler. “Michael was very good at sizing people up . . .”: a member of the Chandler family I can’t name. Jordan Chandler has never made any public statements about his relationship with Michael Jackson and has made it clear that he does not want any of his relatives to make such public statements, either. Fields and Pellicano brought in/interview with Jordie: Fischer via Pellicano. Evan moving forward with “plan”: Fischer, documents in court file. Evan going to Dr. Abrams to get the story into the media: Bert Fields; Ray Chandler vehemently disagrees with this claim. Pellicano’s account of MJ-Evan-Jordie meeting: Fischer; court records. Pellicano-Rothman meeting: Fischer. “$20 million deal”: Hughes/book. Torbiner/sodium amytal: Fischer/Pellicano. Torbiner himself has stated to investigators that if he did give the boy sodium amytal, it was “for dental purposes.” Department of Children’s Services: leaked document/The Smoking Gun. Dr. Abrams’s report getting to police and to freelance reporter: Fischer, court record. June Chandler manipulated by police: Fischer. Fields/Pellicano convincing MJ to file extortion charges: Fischer, Hughes. Gloria Allred, replacement by Feldman: Orth, coverage from the time. Feldman background: Mesereau, who thinks Feldman is one smart lawyer.
I’m told (by Mesereau, among others) that Howard Weitzman insists privately that he did not push MJ to settle and in fact refused to be part of the settlement. Mesereau mentioned this to Carl Douglas, who pulled out the settlement agreement and made sure Weitzman’s signature was on it (it was).
No one disputes that Fields made his statement about an imminent criminal indictment of MJ, but not everyone thinks it was the “blundering” mistake Orth described in her article. Sources: Fischer, Nazario/LA Times. Carl Douglas on pressure to settle: Douglas at LABA “Frozen in Time” symposium, as are all Douglas and Feldman quotes in this section. (I owe my possession of the DVD on which Douglas and Feldman discuss the 1993 case to Mesereau.) Maid collecting makeup, etc., from MJ’s bedroom: Taraborrelli/Daily Mail; likely via criminal case court file. Pellicano admissions re. MJ sleeping in Jordie’s bedroom: Pellicano to CNN; this interview was alongside Brett Barnes and Wade Robson, who said they had slept with MJ and had not been subjected to any sort of sexual behavior. This was, as Orth put it, Pellicano’s “most controversial action.” Leaked document describing Jordie’s sexual contacts with MJ: Dimond; it’s in the court file and now widely available online. Evan as victim of MJ fans: Ray Chandler; also, press at the time, Fischer, All That Glitters, coverage of Evan’s suicide. Jordie’s statement reported by the Santa Barbara sheriff’s deputy: court file; also, press coverage, Dimond’s book, All That Glitters, The Magic and the Madness (updated edition). I should note that Jordie made several separate statements to police investigators and was interviewed by at least three psychologists and/or psychiatrists about his claim that MJ had sexually molested him. The one who really got him talking was Deputy Rosibel Ferrufino, and she isn’t the deputy referenced here.
Branca brought in: Fischer; in her account Branca, along with Weitzman and Cochran, maintained a belief in MJ’s innocence. I’m not sure, based on what I know, that Weitzman and Cochran really did believe in MJ’s innocence, but I agree that they claimed to. Johnnie Cochran’s concerns were explained by Carl Douglas at the “Frozen in Time” symposium. Garcetti-Cochran working relationship: because the first time I met Cochran was when Garcetti introduced him to me in a hallway just outside their side-by-side Los Angeles County District Attorney offices, when the two were heading the team that investigated police officer involved shootings. Garcetti promise MJ could return without immediate arrest: Carl Douglas. “Spot the Jacko” contest: Fischer; Geraldo’s “trial” (MJ was acquitted, by the way): personal experience. La Toya/tabloid bidding: press at the time; also see notes to Chapter 12; her claims are most thoroughly vetted in Campbell/Michael . . . Darkest Hour and The Magic and the Madness (updated edition). Strip search details: confidential source; also, “Boy’s Lawyer Seeks Photos”/LA Times, “Photos May Contradict”/ USA Today; Feldman and Douglas/“Frozen in Time.” Taraborrelli gives a detailed account that my source agreed with in most details, though not all, in the updated version of his book. “Most humiliating ordeal . . .”: a statement MJ made from Neverland Ranch two days after the search; reproduced on mjliveson.com, in BBC story on Chandler case (2003), quoted in Pareles/“Michael Jackson is Angry, Understand?” Feldman on court filings: “Frozen in Time” symposium. The most reliable source I have about how Johnnie Cochran advised MJ in the Chandler case is the same confidential source who told me about the strip search, but Fischer’s article largely agrees with this description of Cochran’s role, and so did Carl Douglas’s presentation at the “Frozen in Time” symposium, although it was more implicit in that instance. Demand to examine MJ’s finances/MJ wanting it over: Douglas and Feldman. Feldman representing Cochran in “personal matters”: Feldman. Settlement discussions/three retired judges: Feldman, Douglas. Douglas delivering settlement to MJ in Las Vegas: Douglas.
The terms of the settlement with the Chandlers are disputed. The Smoking Gun Web site obtained a copy of the document, but it was heavily redacted. That Web site states that the entire cost of the settlement to MJ was $15,332,250, but that was in fact the amount to be placed in trust for Jordie Chandler. What’s been blacked out, according to AS2, are the amounts paid to Feldman and to Jordie’s parents. I went with the numbers AS2 gave me.
“Worst decision he ever made”: Mesereau. “I am not guilty . . .”: MJ December 22, 1993, statement. Loss of the Pepsi contract, other business setbacks: Fischer. 1994 grand jury investigations; “no real evidence”: Fischer, Newton/LA Times. I doubt anybody would dispute my assertion of Diane Dimond’s doggedness. Campbell’s book reports on the various polls that supported MJ; one of these was on the syndicated TV program A Current Affair, which had been relentless in making the case that MJ was a pedophile; more than 80 percent of its respondents said they believed MJ not the Chandlers.
MJ’s marriage to Lisa Marie Presley has been chronicled as much in primetime television interviews as in print coverage. Lisa Marie Presley background: rhythmofthetide.com, Harrington/Washington Post piece, yahoo.com bio, Behar/Elvis, Finstad/Child Bride (latter includes initiation of MJ’s relationship with Lisa Marie; Brett Livingstone Strong quotes are all from Finstad). Dennis Hawk is Strong’s attorney and did his best to help me pin Brett down on some subjects, but that effort was largely unsuccessful. Lisa Marie on first one-on-one with MJ: Presley to Rolling Stone (see Chapter 8 notes), Playboy (see Chapter 8 notes). Recollection of how MJ explained Chandler situation: Rolling Stone. Description of MJ proposal: Presley to Diane Sawyer/ABC. “Very hot” in bed, “role playing,” “sexually active”: Presley to Monica Pastelle, in Taraborrelli/Daily Mail; also, Magic and Madness (updated). Trump on MJ’s “new girlfriend”/Lisa Marie at Palm Beach estate: Trump: The Art of the Comeback. Description of MJ–Lisa Marie marriage by Judge Alvarez: Bob Jones book, from a newspaper interview. Terry Marcos: rhythmofthetide.com. MJ’s disappearances/Lisa Marie hurt: Presley to Rolling Stone (see Chapter 8 notes), Playboy (see Chapter 8 notes), Diane Sawyer, Oprah Winfrey. MJ complaints of Presley “invading his space”: Daily Mirror via rhythmofthetide.com. “Publicity stunt,” “no desire for a woman,” “so down to earth,” “tremendous supporter,” MJ and kid friends “running around the house”: Jones book. Makeup on pillow: Taraborrelli/Daily Mail, also Magic and Madness. MJ boasts to Lisa Marie of wealth and Princess Diana: Jones book. MJ invented marriage proposal: MJ to Daily Mirror via lacienegasmiled.com. Lisa Marie reaction toTV Guide interview: Presley to Rolling Stone. Trip to Hawaii with Danny Keough: via lacienegasmiled.com. Lisa Marie “torn up” over leaving Keough: Presley to Oprah, 2010. MJ and Lisa Marie/MTV Music Video Awards: Playboy (see Chapter 8 notes), Rolling Stone (see Chapter 8 notes). Lisa Marie visiting MJ in hospital/Bill Bray: Jones book; also, Presley to Playboy (see Chapter 8 notes) and Oprah, 2010. MJ wanting to father Elvis’s grandchild/“custody battle nightmare,” “tell her to do it”: Presley to Playboy (see Chapter 8 notes). “Had a thing” for MJ/”get her husband back”: Jones. Omer Bhatti/MJ encouragement of “love child” story: Schaffel, CS1; fan speculation: multiple MJ fan sites. Joe Jackson (whose reasons no one can guess) actually told the black television network TV One that Omer was MJ’s child (see Daily Mail below), which Omer felt compelled to publicly rebut (see hollywoodgossip.com below). The closest thing to a comprehensive story on this subject appeared in Britain’s the Sun, which gave the background on MJ’s relationship with the Bhattis, the arguments pro and con, and even got Riz Bhatti to comment—or not comment, actually. I have it on the highest authority that Omer is not MJ’s child.
COURT FILES
Criminal
SBSC 1133603.
Civil
LASC SC026226.
DOCUMENTS
“Statement of Declination Issued Jointly by the District Attorney’s Offices of Los Angeles and Santa Barbara Counties.” September 21, 1994 (hereafter cited as Statement of Declination, 9/21/94).
LOS ANGELES–LAS VEGAS TRANSITION
Ayers, Chris. “Surreal Estate: Mega-Spec Developer Mohamed Hadid.” Angeleno Magazine, August 13, 2010.
Chopra, Deepak. “Tribute to My Friend, Michael Jackson.” chopra.com, June 26, 2009 (I).
Clarke, Norm. “Jacko Turns Down Wynn Encore Gig.” Las Vegas Review-Journal, November 2, 2008.
Cohen, Sandy. “AP Exclusive: Contents of MJ’s Final Home for Sale.” Associated Press, November 9, 2011.
Darden, Beville. “Michael Jackson Surprises Guests at Dixie Chick’s Party.” theboot.com, November 5, 2008 (I).
“Halloween Comes Early as Jacko’s Wacko Clan Descends on LA Comic Store.” Daily Mail, October 9, 2008.
Kellogg, Carolyn. “Michael Jackson, the Bookworm.” Los Angeles Times, June 27, 2009.
“The Last Home of Michael Jackson.” stardriveways.com (I).
“Letter of Support for Michael Jackson by Gregory and Veronique Peck.” mjfanclub.net, December, 2002 (I).
“Michael Jackson ‘Needs Lung Transplant.’” Daily Telegraph, December 22, 2008.
“Natalie Maines on The Howard Stern Show.” November 3, 2008 (RT).
Roberts, Randall. “Michael Jackson’s Lawyer, Bob Sanger, Talks to West Cost Sound About the Pop Star, His Life—and His Reading Habits.” LA Weekly, June 25, 2009.
Smith, Ethan. “Michael Jackson: The Next Elvis?” Wall Street Journal, June 13, 2008.
Wishna, Jack, to National Enquirer, via “Promoter Says Jackson Isn’t Capable of Las Vegas Show.” starpulse.com, May 29, 2008 (I).
CHANDLER AFFAIR
“Anthony Pellicano, Brett Barnes, and Wade Robeson.” CNN, August 26, 1993 (RT).
“Boy’s Lawyer Seeks Photos of Michael Jackson’s Body.” Los Angeles Times, January 5, 1994.
Fischer, Mary A. “Was Michael Jackson Framed?” GQ, October 1994 (hereafter cited as Fischer, “Framed”).
“Jacko: The Original Child Abuse Allegations.” Smoking Gun, November 18, 2003 (I).
Jones, David. “Killed by the Curse of Michael Jackson: What Drove the Father of Jordy Chandler to Put a Gun to his Head?” Daily Mail, November 20, 2009 (hereafter cited as Jones, “Killed by the Curse”).
“Michael Jackson’s Statement from 22nd December, 1993.” MJliveson. December 22, 1993 (I).
Nazario, Sonia. “Jackson Sued by Boy Who Alleged Sexual Molestation.” Los Angeles Times, November 15, 1993.
Newton, Jim. “Grand Jury to Convene in Jackson Case Law: Sources Close to the Investigation Say a Panel in Santa Barbara Will Hear Testimony Next Week About Alleged Molestation of Boy.” Los Angeles Times, February 5, 1994.
“1993: Michael Jackson Accused of Child Abuse.” BBC, February 8, 2003 (RT).
Orth, Maureen. “Nighmare in Neverland.” Vanity Fair, January 1994.
Phillips, Chuck, and David Ferrell. “Tapes Used to Allege Plot to Extort Jackson Released.” Los Angeles Times, August 31, 1993.
“Photos May Contradict Michael’s Accuser.” USA Today, January 28, 1994.
HISTORY/LISA MARIE/POST JORDIE
Harrington, Richard. “The Princess of Rock Makes a Name for Herself.” Washington Post, May 6, 2005.
“Joe Jackson Confirms Omer Bhatti Is Michael’s Son as Katherine Wins Custody of Other Three Children.” Daily Mail, August 1, 2009.
“Lisa Marie Presley Biography.” yahoo.com (I).
“Lovechild in the Front Row at Memorial.” Sun, July 8, 2009.
“Michael Jackson–Lisa Marie Presley.” rhythmofthetide.com, January 8, 2012.
Pareles, Jon. “Michael Jackson Is Angry, Understand?” New York Times, June 18, 1995 (hereafter cited as Pareles 6/18/95).
Sawyer, Diane. “Interview with Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley.” ABC/Primetime, June 14, 1995 (RT).
———. “Lisa Marie Presley Talks Marriage, Elvis.” ABC/Primetime, April 3, 2003 (RT) (hereafter cited as Sawyer, “Lisa Marie Presley”).
Taraborrelli, J. Randy. “Lisa Marie Presley Said He Was a Passionate Lover. So What WAS the Truth About Jackson’s Sexuality?” Daily Mail, July 1, 2009.
Winfrey, Oprah. “Lisa Marie Presley Opens Up About Michael Jackson.” Oprah, October 21, 2010 (RT) (hereafter cited as Oprah, “Lisa Marie Presley).
———. “Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley’s First Mother/Daughter Interview Together.” Oprah, March 28, 2005 (RT).
CHAPTER 17
Rwaramba-MJ relationship/comings and goings: assorted confidential sources, Tohme; Rwaramba to Barak (see Chapter 1 notes), Rwaramba LAPD statement. Fighting with MJ about drug use: Rwaramba to Barak and LAPD. Insurance premiums/salary cut: Barrack; Tohme told me, “Michael knew he was paying her too much and he wanted her gone.” Romonica Harris claim: the now-defunct News of the World. Grace’s denial of pressuring MJ to marry her: Schaffel, other sources connected to her/Jackson family. Grace re. MJ/Abdullah money/Jackson family: Barak as quoted; facts as stated in High Court testimony. Trip to Bahrain to intervene with Al Khalifa/safe empty/Al Khalifa’s people implicating Grace: Hawk, Tohme. As earlier, all Tohme and Hawk quotes except where indicated are from our interviews. MJ feelings of betrayal at Grace’s High Court testimony: Tohme, among other sources; everyone seemed to agree that she had done nothing more or less than tell the truth. Abdullah-Englehart exchange: trial testimony. Pfeiffer claims about Klein supplying evidence of staph infection: Pfeiffer counterclaim; Seal/Vanity Fair; aftermath: “Jackson ‘too sick’ for court case”/BBC, Tohme. Grace–Joseph Kisembo marriage, Uganda background, charity: newvision.co.ug, majimbokenya.com; charity also: Friedman/“Jacko Nanny Starts Her Own Charity.” Grace described this period to Barak as the longest MJ’s children had gone without seeing or speaking to her. Schaffel also recalled her saying it. As to the suggestion that Rwaramba stole money and jewelry that Michael Jackson had left behind in Bahrain, I doubt it. People close to Grace have told me convincingly that she has hardly any funds and basically depends on the generosity of friends to stay afloat. The purpose of including the story from Tohme and Hawk about their conversations in Bahrain was that Michael Jackson had heard it from those two men long before I did and used it either as a reason or as an excuse to send Grace away for the last time.
Tohme taking the fall for sending Grace away: Tohme, CS2 (who said Tohme was responsible). Nederlander discussions (see also lawsuit against the MJ estate, broadwayworld.com), animated TV program: Tohme, CS2. Deals negotiated by Tohme: Tohme, court file of his lawsuit against estate, “Tohme Tohme, Michael Jackson’s Close Friend and Manager” (placed on the Internet, I’m fairly certain, by Tohme himself). “Secure the future”: Tohme to Deutsch. Depletion of Barrack’s net worth: Tohme, “Deep Pockets”/LA Times; work on Neverland Ranch: Tohme, “Makeover”/Wall Street Journal. “Substantial additional value”: Barrack to Wall Street Journal. “Letter of Intent” and “Promissory Note”: review of documents, but each is available online. Tohme is not the only one to claim credit for naming “This Is It”; Kenny Ortega has, too, and probably so have others. Trip to London: Tohme; also, British press coverage. Announcement of O2 shows: Tohme, London press.
Growth of concert series from ten shows to fifty: multiple sources, including KJ lawsuit against AEG, Tohme lawsuit against MJ estate and countersuit. Randy Phillips’s doubts audience for more shows: Phillips to London newspapers; filings in AEG lawsuit; Hawk, CS2. Hawk was quite generous in his appraisals of both Tohme and Phillips, but acknowledged MJ’s anger at each of them when he discovered more concerts were being planned. CS2 was less positive in his descriptions of the two men, especially Tohme. Phillips surprised by MJ’s lack of confidence: Phillips to Tohme, Hawk, and “Michael Jackson’s promoter . . . moves”/Daily Telegraph (incl. “If Mike gets too nervous”). “Presale” tickets: Hawk, CS2; also, “Thirteen applications per second”/Daily Telegraph, “Fans fury”/Daily Mail, “Michael Jackson doubles London shows”/Herald Sun, “1.5m fans crash sites”/Evening Standard, Kreps/Rolling Stone; MJ’s Web site. “Operatic scene,” “high-drama meetings,” Tohme convincing MJ to face reality of his circumstances: Hawk, CS2. MJ fiscal situation, including need to earn at least $100 million by 2011 or face liquidation: Tohme, Hawk, CS2. MJ-Prince rivalry persuading MJ to increase number of shows, “Randy really wanted . . . shows happen”: either Hawk or CS2. “Sixteen-plus acres,” Guinness Book of World Records: Phillips’s testimony in Conrad Murray trial; KJ lawsuit against AEG. Chef and trainer agreement: KJ lawsuit against AEG, but also reported in media. Division of profits, staging of show: documents in AEG lawsuit; also reported at the time. “This Is It” ticket sales: same articles noted above, as well as NME, Moore/Daily Telegraph, MJ official site. Accolades: still posted on official MJ site at time of MJ’s death; they remained for some time, but apparently have been removed. Millennium Concerts: Avram lawsuit. “One Night Only”: Bob Jones, coverage of O2 shows; hospital room decorated with Shirley Temple and Mickey Mouse posters: Jet. Rwaramba on MJ/hospitals: Rwaramba to Barak. “See how many gifts and flowers”: Jones, attributed to Neverland maid Blanca Francia. Total haul of $125 million . . . a billion dollars: Hawk.
The record is replete with examples of the Jackson family encircling MJ in the hope of exploiting him financially. Motor home, which remained in MJ’s name and is now the property of the Michael Jackson estate: Tohme and Hawk. “Tried to say no to his mother”: confidential source. Leonard Rowe background: Friedman, July 21 and 22. R. Kelly/Ne-Yo lawsuits against Rowe: primarily Cohen-Grossweiner/celebrityaccess.com, also Friedman. Rowe refiled his lawsuit against William Morris (see court filings below) in June of 2012, claiming “newly discovered favorable evidence.” In regards to my assertion that Rowe cast himself in the role of oppressed minority, here’s what Kelly had to say on the day he was awarded a $3,397,410.38 judgment against Rowe: “I agreed to let Leonard Rowe promote my tour because he convinced me he was an underdog who deserved a chance to prove himself. Like the saying goes, no good deed goes unpunished.” A number of other lawsuits were filed against Rowe by investors who accused him of selling them nonexistent shares in the Double-Up tour. In his ruling in the R. Kelly case, the judge ordered Rowe to take full responsibility for every one of those lawsuits. Return of Frank Dileo (and Rowe): Patrick Allocco interview, other material/ muzikfactorytwo.blogspot.com. Binder agreement in AllGood deal: review of document. Allocco–Joe Jackson–Dileo meetings: Allocco to muzikfactorytwo blogger Yazmeen; also, Allocco filing against Dileo/MJ estate. Lamicka lawsuit: Allocco to Yazmeen. Allocco quotes throughout these notes will be from this interview except as otherwise cited. Yazmeen actually obtained a copy of that lawsuit (in which Lamicka was accused of falsely identifying himself as a representative of the rock group KISS and bilking an Oklahoma company out of $50,000). That lawsuit ended when the plaintiffs were awarded a default judgment of $250,000 after Lamicka failed to show up in court. Allocco account of Lamicka/aftermath and Dileo/AEG deal: muzikfactorytwo, Allocco filing against Dileo/MJ estate. Rowe claim of agreement with MJ siblings (after convincing Janet she lacked “drawing power”), gathering at MJ’s gate, forcing MJ into a meeting (incl. Rowe quotes): Rowe, What Really Happened. I was told by a source I trust that this meeting actually took place. Allocco/Rowe approaching Tohme/Hawk, Rowe/Hawk/Allocco meeting/Rowe’s aggressive behavior, AllGood background: primarily Hawk, also Tohme. Need to relaunch career overseas (which Randy Phillips has acknowledged in interviews), stalling Allocco and Rowe: Hawk, Tohme. Joe and Rowe forcing their way into Carolwood, “I have no money and it’s your fault”: Friedman, March 26 and 30, 2009; also Tohme, via secondhand sources. Rowe claim that MJ signed an agreement: Rowe press release. Joe and Rowe going to KJ, persuasion tactics: Hawk, Tohme, CS2; also, confidential sources close to Mrs. Jackson; much of that information has been adduced by KJ/AEG lawsuit. Tohme heard about the pressure being applied to MJ and how MJ was dealing with it in some of their last real conversations in late March of 2009. Joe-Katherine conversations: confidential sources, also reported when Joe blamed KJ for MJ’s death (interview, 2010). KJ rationale for why MJ should sign AllGood deal: confidential sources. Two of these sources told me Mrs. Jackson insisted then and continues to insist that MJ’s biggest mistake was leaving the Jackson 5.
Dileo campaign against Tohme: confidential sources; Dileo made many of the same accusations in interviews immediately after MJ’s death (Dileo to NBC and Raffles Van Exel). The best public record source of information about all of this, though, is the “Frank Dileo wasn’t rehired by Michael Jackson!” article Yazmeen posted on muzikfactorytwo. Tohme appearing out of his depth in London: several off-record sources. MJ complaining about Tohme/control: assorted sources, including Brother Michael, MJ–June Gatlin tape, confidential source involved in AEG deal from the beginning. Dileo-Rowe meeting: muzikfactorytwo, esp. interview with Allocco, who was at the time in constant contact with Dileo and Rowe. Peter Lopez on Tohme, Brother Michael–Dileo relationship: CS2. Brother Michael/Tohme “mostly talk”: Brother Michael (in e-mail communications with me via Perry Sanders—see Brother Michael to Sanders e-mails). Tohme alienating people: Hawk, CS2, among others. Celebrity Access: see below. Randy Phillips e-mail (sent to Celebrity Access’s Ian Courtney): given to me by Tohme, who claims it was given to him by Phillips.
COURT CASES
Civil
LASC BP117321 2/17/12.
98 CV 8272 (United States District Court, Southern District of New York) Rowe Entertainment v. William Morris Agency, June 12, 2012.
DOCUMENTS
Julian and Tohme, 8/7/08.
“Binder Agreement” between Dileo Entertainment and Touring Inc. and AllGood Entertainment. November 21, 2008 (hereafter cited as Binder Agreement, 11/21/08.
Rwaramba, 9/12/09.
“Letter of Intent” for Agreement between Michael J. Jackson and AEG Live. January 26, 2009 (hereafter cited as Letter of Intent, 1/26/09).
“Promissory Note,” 1/26/09.
“Michael Jackson Manager.” E-mail from Randy Phillips to Ian Courtney, Celebrity Access. April 1, 2009 (hereafter cited as Phillips to Courtney, 4/1/09).
AL-KHALIFA LAWSUIT/GRACE RWARAMBA
Friedman, Roger. “Jacko Nanny Starts Her Own Charity.” Showbiz411.com, May 29, 2009 (I).
“Biggest Enabler.”
“Jackson ‘Too sick’ for Court Case.” BBC, November 18, 2008 (RT).
“Michael Jackson’s Uganda Nanny Comes from Bushenyi.” newvision.co.ug, June 29, 2009 (I).
Seal, “Doctor Will Sue.”
“Ugandan Born ‘Ms. Grace Rwaramba,’ Michael Jackson’s Nanny, Could Get Custody of the Children.” majimbokenya.com, June 29, 2009 (I).
AEG DEAL/ANNOUNCEMENT OF O2 SHOWS/
TOHME/BARRACK/DEALMAKING
Allen, Nick. “Thirteen Applications per Second for Michaeldate.” Daily Telegraph, July 6, 2009.
Cable, Simon. “Fans’ Fury as Touts Sell Michael Jackson Concert Tickets for Up to £16,000 a Pair on Black Market.” Daily Mail, March 13, 2009.
Day. “Off the Wall.”
Deutsch, “Mysterious Advisor” 7/4/09.
“Dr. Tohme Tohme, Michael Jackson’s Close Friend and Manager.” freearticles227.blogspot.com, February 3, 2011 (I).
Kreps, Daniel. “Michael Jackson’s ‘This Is It!’ Tour Balloons to 50-Show Run Stretching into 2010,” Rolling Stone, March 12, 2009.
Lee and Ryan. “Deep Pockets.”
Mason. “Phillips Profile.”
“Michael Jackson London O2 Ticket Warning Issued.” NME, March 5, 2009.
“Michael Jackson Recovers After Collapsing in New York.” Jet, December 25, 1995.
Miranda, David. “Michael Jackson Doubles London Shows After 2 Million Seek Tickets.” Herald Sun, March 12, 2009.
Moore, Matthew. “Michael Jackson O2 Ticket Website Attracting 16,000 Visits a Second.” Daily Telegraph, March 6, 2009.
“1.5M Fans Crash Sites in Rush for Jacko Gig.” Evening Standard, March 11, 2009.
Rossen, Jeff. “Today Investigates: Mystery Man Behind Michael Jackson.” NBC/Today Show, August 23, 2009 (RT) (hereafter cited as Rossen, “Mystery Man”).
Schmidt, Veronica. “Michael Jackson Sells Out London Concerts and Adds More Shows.” Times, March 11, 2009.
Singh, Amar. “Detoxing Brand Jacko.” Evening Standard, March 13, 2009.
Smith, Ethan. “Economic Reality Prompts a Makeover at ‘Neverland.’” Wall Street Journal, June 13, 2009.
Yazmeen. “Frank Dileo Wasn’t Rehired by Michael Jackson!” muzikfactorytwo. blogspot.com, November 29, 2010 (I) (hereafter cited as Yazmeen, “Dileo”).
JOE AND JACKSONS/LEONARD ROWE/FRANK DILEO/ALLGOOD DEAL
Cohen, Jane, and Grossweiner, Bob. “R. Kelly Awarded Multimillion Dollar Judgment Against Promoter Leonard Rowe.” celebrityaccess.com, October 7, 2008 (I).
Friedman, Roger. “Jacko’s Dad Still Wants Piece of Pie.” Fox News, March 30, 2009 (I).
———. “Jacko’s Dad Wants Back in Good Graces.” Fox News, March 26, 2009 (I).
———. “Joe Jackson’s Partner Has Sketchy History.” Showbiz411.com, July 21, 2009 (I).
———. “Joe Jackson’s Partner: Jail Sentences and Lawsuits on Résumé.” Showbiz411.com, July 22, 2009 (I).
“Michael Jackson Appoints New Manager: Leonard Rowe, Legendary Promoter, to Steer Singer’s Latest Comeback.” March 26, 2009 (PR).
“Michael Jackson–Reverent June Gatlin Mystery Audio Tape Today.” YouTube, August 26, 2009 (I).
Van Exel, Raffles. “Raffles Van Exel Interviews Frank Dileo.” November 4, 2009 (I) (hereafter cited as Van Exel, “Dileo”).
“Will Michael Jackson’s Real Manager Please Stand Up?” Celebrity Access, April 2, 2009 (I).
Yazmeen. “Interview with Patrick Allocco—President of AllGood Entertainment.” muzikfactorytwo.blogspot.com, May 24, 2011 (I) (hereafter cited as Yazmeen, “Allocco”).
CHAPTER 18
Surge in paparazzi tailing MJ: Tohme, Craig Williams, also widely reported. MJ visits to Klein’s office/Taylor’s home: primarily, Craig Williams (part of the pack following MJ in last weeks, one of the few to have relationships with Jackson family members), Posner/Daily Beast (see Chapter 10 notes); also McConnell/Daily Mail, Seal/Vanity Fair, Ryan/“Troubles mount”/LA Times. MJ-Klein relationship, prescription of Demerol: lawsuit filings by Klein’s former assistant Jason Pfeiffer. Klein’s own bills to the Michael Jackson estate describe forty-one separate Demerol injections for MJ in 2009. Klein writing prescriptions in own name to provide drugs to others: former Klein assistant and live-in lover Paul Gohranson to Radar Online. Klein writing twenty-seven prescriptions to himself after MJ return to United States: Dimond/“The Secret World of Arnold Klein”; confirmed by documents adduced in Conrad Murray trial, State Medical Board of California investigation of Klein. Mickey Fine deliveryman coming and going from MJ’s house: multiple sources, including Craig Williams; the deliveryman also spoke about making many deliveries to MJ’s home of pharmaceuticals prescribed under assumed names (see x17video.com below); also, Murray trial, Medical Board investigation. Straight from Klein’s office to Taylor’s house: Posner (see Chapter 10 notes), McConnell, confirmed by Williams. Klein 2009 work on MJ, including “emergency situation”: Klein bill to MJ estate. MJ hatred of aging (incl. quotes): MJ to Boteach. “I’d rather go out like Elvis”: MJ to Gotham Chopra, in Deepak Chopra’s “Tribute” to MJ. “This Is It” preparation: Tohme, but it should be noted he was essentially absent from the scene from early April until shortly before MJ’s death. Selection of musicians: “Michael Jackson Band” file/MJ official site. MJ thinking of self first as a dancer: Tohme, among many others. MJ–Kenny Ortega meetings: Leach (see Chapter 12 notes). Ortega background: imdb.com bio. Ortega seven-figure fee: CS2; solid investment: “Michael Jackson enlists”/NME. Travis Payne résumé, “Scream”: imdb.com. Selection of dancers: “Comeback Gig Dancers”/Sky News, MJ’s own Web site. Audigier/crystal-encrusted costumes: “Extra . . . tickets”/NME. Panagiris “Beat It” solo/hiring: Panagiris to Gottlieb/Boston Herald. Ferrigno-MJ: Dobuzinskis/Reuters, unbylined/People. “Fulfilled and happy,” “Mr. Mom”: Hoffman/Rolling Stone. No needle marks: multiple Ferrigno interviews, including Van Susteren.
MJ’s drug use has been thoroughly and depressingly documented since his death, dating back to the time he checked into rehab in London in 1993, before and during his criminal trial and in the last months of his life. Schaffel and Wiesner both told me that boredom was one of the things that motivated MJ’s drug use, although I’m sure they’d both agree that emotional distress was a far bigger part of it. Karen Faye, who knew MJ longer if not as well as those two, voiced the opinion (in her LAPD interview, via TMZ) after MJ’s death that he was “self-sabotaging” during May and June of 2009 in order to get out of his commitment to the O2 shows. Gerald Posner made the same contention (based on an interview with a source he didn’t identify) in his Daily Beast article “Jackson’s Final Panic.” There may be something to that. Injecting mostly below waist: AS1; see also necrosis photo/Daily Mail (see Chapter 12 notes); autopsy found needle marks both above and below MJ’s waist; confidential source told me that could be explained by the fact that a doctor was administering his drugs during the last weeks of MJ’s life. Two sources who have been quoted by name in this book but don’t want to be on this subject told me that MJ liked to have a doctor supervise his injections, but would do it himself if there was no other choice. Resort to needles due to insomnia: same two sources, who said that when he went two or more days without sleep he was willing to try almost anything to get some rest. MJ drug tolerances: evidenced by quantities Conrad Murray admitted to administering; see also Wiesel’s doctor, Chapter 12. Propofol preferred when desperate for sleep: circumstances of death/Murray trial. Cherilynn Lee–MJ meeting/propofol, including quotes: Lee to Elber/Associated Press; Lee witness testimony at Murray trial (unimpeached); also, other Lee interviews. Furthermore, a confidential source in a position to know has told me her story is true. Tadrissi: document presented but not allowed into evidence in Murray trial, later part of Coroner’s Office/Medical Board investigations; also, see Chapter 26 notes.
Dileo-Arfaq Hussain, Hussain’s arrival: Tohme. Perfumer: London tabloid reports on MJ ordering two bottles of $75,000 perfume (which Hussain was selling); he also later identified himself as MJ’s “costume designer,” but I found no verification. Tohme’s private investigator reported that Hussain approached Mohamed Al-Fayed years earlier with the claim he was one of MJ’s associates, but it was clear that Al-Fayed, his head of security and Tohme’s investigator all thought that was untrue. Julien Auctions lawsuit/controversy: court file, LA Times, Tohme, Hawk. Hippach report on Tohme/reaction: review of document, provided by Brother Michael, who I believe dealt with Hippach for MJ; Brother Michael, confidential source. Tape-recorded conversation: MJ to “the Reverent” June Gatlin. (I conducted a lengthy, amusing, and ultimately frustrating interview with Gatlin, prompted by Tohme’s claim that the tape recording was “a fake” and that it wasn’t MJ’s voice. Gatlin refused to say who had introduced her to MJ, when they met, how often they spoke, or to offer any other information that would corroborate a connection to MJ and the authenticity of the tape recording. In the end, though, I decided the tape recording was authentic, based on a conversation with a confidential source who was in MJ’s household and told me that MJ had spoken on the phone with Gatlin twice, but never actually met her face-to-face. I’m pretty sure MJ had no idea he was being recorded.)
Michael Amir Williams (Brother Michael) attempts to expose Tohme/Tohme retorts: Brother Michael via Sanders, Tohme. MJ pleased with Tohme deals: CS2 (CS2 was no fan of Tohme and felt he deserved credit for some of those deals), Hawk, Jeff Cannon. Julien Auctions imbroglio causing end of MJ-Tohme relationship: nearly everyone I spoke to; CS2, though, said it was also due to Tohme’s involvement in raising the number of O2 concerts to fifty. “Priceless and irreplaceable,” other MJ quotes re. Julien lawsuit: initial court filing. Hawk re. Julien: Hawk. “Like Disneyland collides with the Louvre”: Julien in Hoffman/Rolling Stone, probably from Julien’s promotional materials. Julien’s demands: lawsuit filings, Tohme, Hawk, CS2. Tohme sending James Weller to Julien: Tohme, who described Weller as “a complete gentleman” who would never threaten anyone. Weller background: résumé/TRW site, Raine/San Francisco Chronicle. Julien on Weller meeting, including location, Weller denial: Julien affidavit and Weller declaration/court file. Friedman evisceration of Tohme: Friedman, March 16 and 24, 2009. Tohme will no doubt be unhappy with me for accepting Friedman’s account of their conversations, but I think his story holds up in this instance. I have seen Tohme’s Senegalese passport, signed by Abdoulaye Wade, with a notation in the president-for-life’s handwriting identifying him as the country’s “Ambassador at Large.” Allocco on MJ reaction: Allocco to muzikfactorytwo. Julien-MJ face-off: Smith/Wall Street Journal, Villarreal/LA Times (incl. “where he got the money”), Friedman. Money from Lockbox: confidential source; I think but can’t confirm that specific payment may have been out of the advance promised to MJ by AEG. Allocco-KJ April 2 conversation, Sportsmen’s Lodge meeting: Allocco to muzikfactorytwo. Rowe authorization letter: via two sources who have copies; Allocco described MJ signing it to muzikfactorytwo. “Notice of Revocation of Power of Attorney”: review of document; Tohme’s denial of receipt: Tohme. Dileo/partner Citadel agreement: review of document. The one excellent account of all this is in the three Yazmeen articles listed below. “Orchestrated a conference call”: Phillips e-mail to Ian Courtney; Phillips’s acknowledgement of Dileo’s promise of movie money via Arfaq Hussain is among the few helpful pieces of information I got from him. Dileo as a fringe player: Phillips dismissal of connection to Dileo, response to AllGood cease and desist. Phillips’s changing attitude toward Dileo/agreement with Rowe: Allocco to muzikfactorytwo, Tohme, Hawk confidential sources. I know that the attorneys representing Katherine Jackson in the AEG lawsuit have asked whether Randy Phillips and AEG hired Dileo without MJ’s permission. April 22 letter purportedly signed by MJ: review of document; letter written by Dileo: Dileo to Van Exel; details/Phillips reaction confirmed by confidential sources (plus Allocco). Phillips e-mail to Tohme terminating “tour manager” duties: document. Allocco on Phillips-Dileo relationship (“wasn’t able to control Michael”): Allocco to muzikfactorytwo; his account confirms those of Tohme, Hawk, CS2, and even Leonard Rowe. “Neverland is finished”: Tohme to Smith/WSJ (“Michael Jackson auction is cancelled”). “Veritable city,” “ten times bigger than Graceland”: Deutsch/AP; this was shortly after MJ’s death, but two confidential sources close to the situation in the spring of 2009 told me that Tohme was talking about saving Neverland in May, because, they believed, he was trying to impress MJ. As above, all Tohme quotes are from our interviews except where otherwise noted. Arfaq Hussain investigative report: quotes from the document. Tohme on film-industry inroads on MJ’s behalf: Tohme, confirmed by contracts, documents, and e-mails he showed me; Randy Phillips has confirmed, in the Ian Courtney e-mail among other places, that the renewal of Dileo relationship was due to the imagined access to the motion picture fund. “Stopped all contact”: Allocco to muzikfactorytwo. “Protecting Michael Jackson”: Tohme, but similarly stated in (spring/summer 2009) interviews. “Michael had always done best”: confidential source. John Landis lawsuit: court file, Gumbel; Landis quotes: as indicated. Ola Ray lawsuit (and current circumstances): Daily News,TMZ; Tohme and I also discussed it. MJ personal reaction to lawsuits: Tohme, Mesereau, others. Hurling cell phone through window: bodyguards to ABC. “Same thousand parasites”: Barrack in “Deep pockets”/LA Times. Raymone Bain lawsuit: TMZ May 6, Friedman May 7; “Raymone Bain was not at a single one of the meetings”: confidential source. Bain’s position: court file, Mesereau, sources present when she spoke about it to Katherine Jackson, with whom Bain remains on good terms. MJ call to Terry George: George to Owens/Daily Mirror (see Chapter 10 notes); also, Cole, Sky News (see Chapter 10 notes); I also discussed the relationship between George and MJ with an MJ attorney who did not want to be quoted about it. “Dying right in front of everyone”: Mesereau.
COURT FILES
Criminal
SA073164 (Los Angeles Superior Court) The People of the State of California v. Conrad Robert Murray, February 8, 2010 (hereafter cited as LASC SA073164).
Criminal Investigation
09MJ1897 (United States District Court for the Central District of California, Western Division) “Warrant for Inspection” In the Matter of A&M Gross dba Mickey Fine Pharmacy, 433 North Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills, California 90210, August 21, 2009 (hereafter cited as USDC-CA 09MJ51897).
Civil
SC101420 (Los Angeles Superior Court) Levitsky Productions, Inc. (John Landis) v. Optimum Productions and Michael Jackson, January 21, 2009.
BC408913 (Los Angeles Superior Court) MJJ Productions, Inc. v. Julien’s Auction House, LLC, and Darren Julien, March 4, 2009.
LASC BP117321 11/10/09.
CV10 4734 (United States District Court for the Central District of California) Joseph Jackson v. Conrad Murray, Acres Home Heart and Vascular Associates and GCA Holdings, June 25, 2010 (hereafter cited as USDC-CA CV10 4734).
2:11-ap-02407-RN (United States Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California) Arnold W. Klein, M.D. v. Muhammed Khilji and Jason Roger Pfeiffer, June 27, 2011 (hereafter cited as 2:11-ap-02407-RN 6/27/11).
2:11-ap-02407-RN (United States Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California) Jason Roger Pfieffer’s Counterclaim Against Plaintiff and Defendant Arnold W. Klein, August 3, 2011 (hereafter cited as 2:11-ap-02407-RN 8/3/11).
LASC BP117321 2/17/12.
DOCUMENTS
“Criminal and Civil Case History: Tohme R. Tohme.” Star Investigations, Santa Clarita California, Rick R. Hippach, chief investigator. October 2008.
“Binder Agreement” 11/21/08.
“Letter of Intent” 1/26/09.
“Promissory Note” 1/26/09.
“Full Background Enquiry of Arfaq Hussein in London.” Private investigator’s report to Tohme Tohme. April 2009.
Phillips to Courtney, 4/1/09.
“Binder Agreement” between Frank Dileo and Citadel Entertainment to promote a Michael Jackson concert in Trinidad and Tobago. April 1, 2009.
Notice of Revocation of Power of Attorney to Dr. Tohme R. Tohme by Michael J. Jackson, notarized by Rebecca Lopez. April 14, 2009.
Letter (apparently signed by Michael Jackson) informing AEG that Tohme Tohme will not serve as production manager on the “This Is It” tour. April 22, 2009.
E-mail from Randy Phillips to Tohme Tohme informing Tohme that Michael Jackson does not want him to serve as manager on the “This Is It” tour. April 25, 2009.
Letter (apparently signed by Michael Jackson) appointing Frank Dileo as “one of [my] representatives and tour manager.” May 2, 2009.
Michael Jackson “To Whom It May Concern Letter” regarding Dr. Tohme R. Tohme. May 5, 2009.
Phillips to Sullivan, 4/4/11.
Williams to Sanders, 11/3/11.
MJ SEPARATION FROM TOHME/JULIEN AUCTIONS
Deutsch, “Mysterious Advisor” 7/4/09.
Friedman, Roger. “Claim: Jacko’s Rep Threatened Harm from Nation of Islam.” Fox News, March 24, 2009 (I).
———. “Jacko’s Mystery Manager Revealed.” Fox News, March 16, 2009 (I).
“James R. Weller, Worldwide Creative Director.” trw—adv.com (I).
Raine, George. “Creating Reagan’s Image / S.F. Ad Man Riney Helped Secure Him a Second Term.” San Francisco Chronicle, June 9, 2004.
Smith, Ethan. “Michael Jackson Auction Is Canceled.” Wall Street Journal, April 15, 2009.
Villarreal, Yvonne. “Michael Jackson auction canceled.” Los Angeles Times, April 15, 2009.
Yazmenn, “Allocco.”
Yazmeen. “Did Michael Hire Leonard Rowe as His Manager?” muzikfactorytwo.blogspot.com, February 22, 2011 (I).
———. “Dileo.”
MJ AND ARNOLD KLEIN
Dimond, Diane. “The Secret World of Arnold Klein.” Daily Beast, August 25, 2011 (I) (hereafter cited as Dimond, “Secret World”).
“Delivery Guy at Mickey Fine Pharmacy Interviewed About Michael Jackson, Dr. Klein Spotted Leaving in Rolls-Royce.” X17video.com, June 30, 2009 (I).
“Interview with Paul Gohranson.” Radaronline.com, July 15, 2009 (I).
McConnell, Donna. “Michael Jackson Visits Doctors for Third Time in a Week as Fan Backlash Begins over Concert Cancellations.” Daily Mail, May 22, 2009 (hereafter cited as McConnell, “Doctors”).
Posner, Gerald. “Jackson Doc.”
———. “Jackson Doctor Subpoenaed.” Daily Beast, July 9, 2009 (I).
———. “Jackson’s Final Panic.” Daily Beast, June 30, 2009 (I).
———. “Jackson’s Needle Problem.” Daily Beast, July 8, 2009 (I).
Ryan, Harriet. “Troubles Mount for Michael Jackson Doctor.” Los Angeles Times, January 1, 2012.
Seal, “Doctor Will Sue.”
PREPARATION FOR “THIS IS IT”
Dobuzinskis, Alex. “The Hulk Trains Michael Jackson Ahead of London Concerts.” Reuters, June 19, 2009.
“Extra Michael Jackson O2 Arena Tickets Made Available.” NME, June 23, 2009.
Gottlieb, Jed. “Guitarist Orianthi Panagaris Gets Screen Time in ‘This Is It.’” Boston Herald, October 23, 2009.
“Lou Ferrigno Training Michael Jackson for Tour.” People, June 18, 2009.
“The Michael Jackson Band.” michaeljackson.com (I).
“Michael Jackson Enlists High School Musical Director for London O2 Shows.” NME, May 12, 2009.
“This Is It: Jacko Picks Comeback Gig Dancers.” Sky News, May 19, 2009 (RT).
Van Susteren, Greta. “Personal Trainer Ferrigno in ‘Shock’ over Allegations About Jackson’s Health.” Fox News, July 2, 2009 (RT).
DRUGS/INSOMNIA/PROPOFOL
Elber, Lynn. “AP Exclusive: Michael Jackson, Bedeviled by Insomnia, Begged for Drug, Says Nurse-Nutritionist.” Associated Press, June 30, 2009.
“Michael Jackson: Do You Want Fries with That?” TMZ, February 14, 2011 (I) (hereafter cited as “Do You Want Fries?”).
“Drug-Ravaged Legs.”
Van Exel, “Dileo.”
LEGAL TANGLES/TERRY GEORGE
Dillon, Nancy. “Gloves Are Off! ‘Thriller’ Co-Star Ola Ray Sues Michael Jackson for Royalties.” New York Daily News, May 6, 2009.
Friedman, Roger. “Jacko Sued by Manager Who Made Him Millions.” Showbiz411.com, May 7, 2009 (I).
Gumbel, Andrew. “John Landis Slaps Singer with ‘Thriller’ Lawsuit.” Thewrap.com, January 27, 2009 (I).
“Terry George.”
Lee, “Landis.”
“Michael Jackson Estate Settles War with Thriller ‘Date.’” TMZ, May 10, 2010 (I).
“Michael Jackson Sued by Former Flack.” TMZ, May 6, 2009 (I).
Netter, Sarah. “Michael Jackson Bodyguards Speak on Protecting the King of Pop.” abcnews.go.com, March 8, 2010 (I).
CHAPTER 19
MJ’s circumstances at time of Neverland raid/arrest: Schaffel, Wiesner; they and Stuart Backerman were the people most involved in his life/career then. Timing of raid: Tom Sneddon denied back then (in response to an accusation from Backerman) that he had deliberately timed it to ruin the release of Number Ones (Broder/New York Times); subsequent revelations suggested that Sneddon was, indeed, aware of the record’s release. Schaffel, Wiesner, and Tom Mesereau all said they were certain the prosecutor intentionally dampened the release of Number Ones, and that MJ was absolutely certain of it. Sneddon had retired by the time I began work on this book and his chief assistant, who was in many senses the lead prosecutor on the case, Ron Zonen, declined to speak to me. I have his thoughts and comments only because of the Frozen in Time DVD. Las Vegas/CBS special: Schaffel, Wiesner. (A CBS press release the day of the raid announced that the special had been cancelled “given the gravity of the charges against Mr. Jackson.”)
Geragos reputation in Los Angeles: my brother Brady, a criminal defense attorney in LA; a number of other attorneys, including Tom Mesereau, who had a lot to say about the Peterson case. Geragos’s failures in the Winona Ryder, Gary Condit, and Scott Peterson cases were all very public. Ann Coulter wrote a devastating assessment of Geragos’s ability to fail upward (“We’re the Lose-Lose People!”) that encompassed the Ryder, Condit, and Peterson cases; Mesereau and a number of other attorneys who did not want to be quoted by name said the same sorts of things. Also, Susman/Entertainment Weekly on Ryder, Nieves/New York Times on Condit’s election loss. Geragos can rightly point out that I didn’t note his earlier victory in another high-profile case, the one against Susan McDougal.
60 Minutes appearance a disaster for MJ: Mesereau, Orth/Vanity Fair. Exaggeration of “abuse” by sheriff’s deputies: the audiotape, Branigin/Washington Post (the reporter was at the station when MJ arrived and until his departure). Cooperation with Nation of Islam a mistake: Mesereau, Schaffel, Wiesner, Backerman to Vancouver Sun. I should note, though, that it wasn’t Geragos’s idea to bring the NOI in—that came from Jermaine Jackson. Alienation from Schaffel/Malnik costing MJ: my own conclusion. “So beautiful it will make you catatonic”: Ratner in Orth/“CSI Neverland”/Vanity Fair (see Chapter 5 notes); Malnik has acknowledged Ratner introduced him to MJ in his remembrance (almalnik.com). Description of house: Schaffel, page2live.com, homesoftherich.com. Malnik declined to speak with me, mainly because, as I understand it, he did not want to answer any questions about MJ’s 2003 will. He did communicate with me a bit through Schaffel, though, and made it clear that he appreciated my effort to hear his side of things. In the end, I found that the lengthy recollection of MJ he posted on his Web site gave me everything I needed—except an answer to what happened to that will. Malnik background/alleged “mob connections”: Bob Norman/New Times, Orth/“CSI Neverland” article (see Chapter 5 notes). Malnik on meeting/relationship with MJ and MJ’s finances: Web site remembrance (incl. all quotes); I also read Malnik’s deposition in the Marcel Avram case; see also Malnik to Vieira. All Schaffel quotes except as indicated are from our interviews. Malnik posting MJ’s bail: Schaffel, Wiesner, Mesereau, who told me in that order; Friedman reported it at the time. Malnik/MJ’s imagined conspiracy: MJ via Schaffel, Mesereau; KJ, who still believes it to be true. Jesse Jackson’s role in this part of MJ’s life: Mesereau. “Who was forcing the bank’s hand”: Guardian/“Michael Jackson’s bad fortune.”
Farrakhan/“Hollywood Jews”: Schaffel and, especially, Wiesner; Backerman on Farrakhan reaction to his being Jewish: Backerman to Vancouver Sun. “Female-acting, sissified”: Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, 1984. Geragos dropped because distracted by Peterson case: MJ in contemporaneous accounts; see Waxman/New York Times. Johnnie Cochran as person most responsible for decision to settle Chandler case: Schaffel, Wiesner, multiple off-record sources. Cochran/“I’d want Tom Mesereau”: Randy Jackson via Mesereau. I understand some might say Mesereau is burnishing his own legend, but as I’ve noted earlier I consider him the most reliable source I have. Mesereau background: allamericanspeaks.com bio, USA Today profile published immediately after MJ’s acquittal, and more than two dozen conversations. Robert Blake–Bonnie Lee Bakley case: Mesereau, Tru TV’s “crime library.” Description of how Mesereau left that case: primarily, Tru TV; of course, I noted what Mesereau said on that subject. Mesereau/Randy Jackson conversations, taking up MJ case, assessment of Santa Maria and strategy: Mesereau; all quotes from Mesereau were from interviews except where indicated. Douglas backing Mesereau: Douglas/“Frozen In Time.” Difficulties Mesereau faced, Raymone Bain: Mesereau. XtraJet: facts from LA Times, plus Mesereau on how episode fed MJ’s paranoia. Sneddon background: trial coverage, esp. Matt Taibbi/Rolling Stone. I don’t think anyone disputes that “D.S.” is about Sneddon—the prosecutor made jokes about this during the trial. “Open but inactive”: Sneddon statement released immediately after Bashir documentary aired in UK (see CNN’s “Jackson tries ‘shooting the messenger’ British TV network says” story below). Sneddon/Garcetti and “Michael Jackson Law”: Mesereau; it was discussed at “Frozen in Time,” and though that is not the formal title of the law, everyone referred to it that way. Garcetti and Sneddon were already working on this new law when they issued their “Statement of Declination” in the Chandler case in September of 1994. Sneddon’s office taping Bashir’s documentary: same statement (above/“Shooting the messenger”/CNN); the full text is available on various MJ-related Web sites, including mjjr.net. Neither Sneddon nor anyone from his office has admitted leaking Jordie Chandler’s deposition. However, see CNN’s story below on the apology over his press conference remarks that Sneddon was compelled to offer.
Feldman report of alleged molestion of Gavin Arvizo: Feldman testimony, affidavits/court file. Katz interview, Janet Arvizo timeline of discovering alleged molestation: court file; Janet Arvizo was compelled to acknowledge these facts on the witness stand. MJ perception of Dimond/Orth out to get him: MJ via Mesereau; the two women sat together all during the trial, and have publicly maintained their belief in MJ’s guilt. Dimond reporting/commentary on sexual abuse allegations against MJ: see MJ’s own Web site, michaeljackson.com, and various other pro-MJ Web sites (obviously, the presentation there is slanted against Dimond in every way imaginable, but the accounting of the underlying facts is largely accurate). Dimond defends her work on her own Web site, dianedimond.com, but those who want a report on this that is both sympathetic and penetrating should perhaps read Lola Ogunnaike’s New York Times article “A Dogged TV Reporter Defends Herself in the Jackson Case.” Dimond/love letters: Larry King/“Analysis of the Michael Jackson Arrest”/CNN. Nonexistence of letters: Wichita District Attorney Nina Foulston to Greta Van Susteren. I believe even Dimond now acknowledges that those “love letters” never existed. Myung Ho Lee: Orth/“Losing His Grip” (see Chapter 6 notes). Matsuura denunciation of Orth: via Mike Taibbi (explow.com/Mike_Taibbi). “My big worry”: Ray Chandler to Orth/“Neverland’s Lost Boys.”
COURT FILES
Criminal
SBSC 1133603.
Criminal Investigation
USDC-CA 09MJ1897.
Civil
LASC SC026226.
1007622 (Santa Barbara Superior Court) Marcel Avram v. Michael Jackson, June 23, 2000.
DOCUMENTS
Statement of Declination 9/21/94.
ARREST/RAID
Branigin, William. “Jackson Arrested on Child Molestation Charges.” Washington Post, November 20, 2003.
Broder, John M. “Michael Jackson Faces Arrest on Charges of Child Molesting.” New York Times, November 20, 2003.
“Michael Jackson Special Canceled—CBS.” November 19, 2003 (PR).
GERAGOS/MESEREAU
“Biography of Thomas Mesereau.” allamericanspeakers.com (I).
Coulter, Ann. “We’re The ‘Lose-Lose’ People!” anncoulter.com, December 15, 2004 (I).
Kasindorf , Martin, and Jayne O’Donnell. “Mesereau New ‘Go-To Guy’ for Celebs in Trouble.” USA Today, June 14, 2005.
King, Gary C. “Who Murdered Bonny Lee Bakley?” TruTV Crime Library (I).
Nieves, Evelyn. “Condit Loses House Race to Former Aide.” New York Times, March 6, 2002.
Susman, Gary. “Shopgirl: Winona Shoplifted Three Times Before, Prosecutor Told Judge.” Entertainment Weekly, November 11, 2002.
Waxman, Sharon. “Jackson Says ‘Full Attention’ of Legal Team Was Lacking.” New York Times, April 27, 2004.
AL MALNIK
Friedman, Roger. “Jacko’s Bail Paid by Reputed Mobster?” Fox News, November 21, 2003 (I).
Lambiet, Jose. “Weird People, Nice Rich People at the Malnik Crib.” page2live.com, April 20, 2009 (I).
“Michael Jackson—Al Malnik Friends.” almalnik.com, 2009 (I).
“More Pics of Al Malnik’s Ocean Ridge, Fla., Mega Mansion.” homesoftherich.com (I).
Norman, Bob. “Mutual Benefits Con Man Joel Steinger Spent a Lifetime Getting Mobbed Up.” New Times: Broward-Palm Beach, May 28 2009.
———. “Reputed Mobster Al Malnik Says He’s Executor of Michael Jackson’s Will and Blanket’s New Dad.” New Times: Broward-Palm Beach, June 26, 2009 (hereafter cited as Norman, “Reputed Mobster”).
Vieira, Meredith. “Al Malnik Interview.” Today/NBC, June 30, 2009 (RT).
JESSE JACKSON/LOUIS FARRAKHAN/MUSLIMS
Burkeman, Oliver, and David Teather. “Michael Jackson’s Bad Fortune.” Guardian, June 14, 2005.
Mackie, John. “Stuart Backerman Remembers Michael Jackson.” Vancouver Sun, June 26, 2009.
“Muslim Leader Isn’t Thrilled.” Los Angeles Herald Examiner, April 12, 1984.
TOM SNEDDON/DEVELOPMENT OF CASE
Harris, Art. “Tom Sneddon: Jovial Press Conference Was ‘Inappropriate.’” CNN, November 26, 2003 (RT).
“Jackson Tries ‘Shooting the Messenger’ British TV Network Says.” cnn.com, February 10, 2003 (I).
Krikorian, Greg, and Richard Winton. “XtraJet Executive Called FBI Informant. Jeffrey Borer Denies the Reports. Agency Denies Any Role in Videotaping Michael Jackson on Jet.” Los Angeles Times, November 27, 2003.
Orth, Maureen. “Neverland’s Lost Boys.” Vanity Fair, March 2004 (hereafter cited as Orth 3/04).
Taibbi, Matt. “Inside the Strangest Trial on Earth.” Rolling Stone, April 7, 2005 (hereafter cited as Taibbi, “Strangest Trial”).
———. “The Nation in the Mirror: The Face of George Bush’s America at the Michael Jackson Trial.” Rolling Stone, June 30, 2005.
DIANE DIMOND/MAUREEN ORTH
Foulston, Nola, interviewed by Greta van Susteren. “On the Record with Greta van Susteren.” Fox News, November 24, 2003 (RT).
King, Larry. “Analysis of Michael Jackson Arrest.” CNN, November 24, 2003 (RT).
“Michael Jackson–Diane Dimond.” dianedimond.net (I).
“Michael Jackson–Diane Dimond.” michaeljackson.com (I).
“Mike Taibbi.” explow.com/Mike_Taibbi (I).
Ogunnaike, Lola. “A Dogged TV Reporter Defends Herself in the Jackson Case.” New York Times, June 16, 2005.
“Wichita DA: Michael Jackson Love Letters ‘Patently False.’” Popdirt.com, November 25, 2003 (I).
CHAPTER 20
MJ video statement: his Web site, where it can still be found; see also Chawkins/LA Times. Rationale for seeking permission for the statement: Mesereau; throughout this section Mesereau quotes are either statements made in court, or from interviews with me—it should be fairly clear from context which is which. I cite below any exceptions as well as when our interviews informed what I wrote without being directly quoted. Jury selection: primarily, “Jackson jury from diverse backgrounds”/ cnn.com, also, Mesereau, Aphrodite Jones/Michael Jackson Conspiracy.
I read the entire transcript of the trial, reviewed most of the affidavits, statements, pleadings, and other documents (most of the actual evidence had been returned after MJ’s acquittal, but there were complete listings and descriptions in the court file) and my reporting on what took place is based almost entirely upon what I discovered there. I confess that I knew very little about the trial beforehand. I did read both of Matt Taibbi’s Rolling Stone articles, but it was only when I read the full transcript that I realized how weak the case against MJ had been. I was about halfway through the transcript when Mesereau and I began talking about it, as we did on a regular basis for the next two-plus years. Aphrodite Jones’s book offers little more than can be found in the trial transcripts, although her observations of courtroom dynamics were somewhat helpful. The accounts of Ron Zonen and Judge Rodney Melville are derived from their presentations at the “Frozen In Time” symposium. When I draw on any additional sources I will note them, but other than that I’m going to simply repeat that the information comes from the trial transcripts and the exhibits introduced in support of it.
Opening statements: entirely court transcript, plus exhibits (prosecutor’s original information, Geragos on Dateline, prosecution filings in “re-arraignment”).
Bashir’s testimony: trial transcript, Mesereau (all the quotes from interviews), Taibbi/“Nation in the Mirror.” Lafferty video: viewed most of it; also, Aphrodite Jones, Orth/“CSI Neverland” (see Chapter 5 notes). MJ reaction: Jones, followed up with Mesereau. Davellin testimony: trial transcript, except “most sympathetic and likeable”: based on Mesereau.
I introduced the Bradley Miller interview with the Arvizos in a somewhat different order than it was introduced at trial, for reasons of narrative flow. It’s not directly germane to this case, but in June of 2012 Miller was sentenced to a year in jail, plus probation and fines, for obstructing justice in a rape case; O. J. Simpson trial judge Lance Ito is the one who sentenced him.
“Rebuttal video”: I viewed it and pegged what was on it to the Arvizos’s related testimony. Star Arvizo testimony: trial transcript and exhibits introduced testimony only; some influence from Mesereau re. his demeanor, Schaffel on him and his family. Gavin Arvizo testimony: trial transcript and exhibits. Physical description via Jones, Orth (see Chapter 5 notes), and Taibbi, plus Mesereu, who was taken aback by it. MJ bolting from courtroom, Mesereau reaction: Orth (see Chapter 5 notes), trial transcript; Mesereau to a lesser extent. Mesereau/judge: transcript; description of conversations with MJ re. back injury, hospital trip, and late arrival: Mesereau. Mesereau stated MJ was at “the Cottage Hospital” incorrectly; he was at Marian Medical Center, per the Manuela Gomela Ruiz lawsuit/related articles (see Chapter 1). I should perhaps note that the “litany of complaints” from Gavin’s teachers introduced during Mesereau’s cross-examination was much more extensive than I’ve reported here. Judge slapping away Sneddon’s objections: Mesereau, similar descriptions in trial coverage. Providing receipts Mesereau used to impeach Arvizos: Schaffel, Mesereau. Media see also Charles Thomson. Ron Zonen trip to NYC to meet with Jordie Chandler: adduced during trial, Mesereau; FBI role did not come out until December 2009, when 343 pages of FBI materials involving MJ were released, including memos concerning meetings between prosecutors and the BAU and between FBI agents and Jordie Chandler. See“FBI Took Shot At Jackson”/Smoking Gun, including September 14, 2004, memo re. meeting and conference call. “I don’t think Jordie”: Ray Chandler, spoken before he told me he did not want to be quoted about his nephew. Larry Feldman testimony, cross-examination: trial transcript, supplemented by Mesereau, Jones. June Chandler testimony: trial transcript, supplemented by Mesereau, plus Orth (sympathetic), Jones (not). Janet Arvizo description: principally Mesereau, plus Orth, Jones. Judge Melville statement, Janet Arvizo direct and cross-examinations: trial transcripts. Zonen’s heroic effort: Mesereau told me several times that Zonen was a far more formidable opponent than Sneddon. Jury reaction to Janet: Mesereau, also Jones, and Orth, who alone among the three was offended by the jurors’s attitudes. Jurors amazed by Janet lying about even little things: Mesereau. Debbie Rowe testimony, taping of phone conversations: primarily Mesereau, also transcripts. “Murder cop”: Rowe to Wetheridge/Daily Mail.
COURT FILES
Criminal
SBSC 1133603.
DOCUMENTS
“Michael Jackson Trial Press Release.” County of Santa Barbara, California. February 6, 2003.
Federal Bureau of Investigation “Case Opening” Synopsis, Case ID #305B-LA-239204, Michael Joe Jackson. September 14, 2004.
“Sensitive Case.” Summary by Jennifer Hottenroth, Assistant Regional Administrator, Department of Children and Family Services. November 26, 2003 (hereafter cited as “Sensitive Case” Summary 11/26/03).
TRIAL
Chawkins, Steve. “Jackson Rails Against Leaks in Abuse Case.” Los Angeles Times, January 31, 2005.
“FBI Took Shot at Jackson.” Smoking Gun, December 22, 2009 (I).
Marquez, Miguel, and Dree De Clamecy. “Jackson Jury from Diverse Backgrounds.” cnn.com, February 24, 2003 (I).
Taibbi, “Strangest Trial.”
Thomson, Charles. “Michael Jackson: It’s Time for Outlets to Take Responsibility in Covering the Rock Star.” Huffington Post, March 2, 2010 (I) (hereafter cited as Thomson, “Responsibility”).
———. “One of the Most Shameful Episodes in Journalistic History.” Huffington Post, June 13, 2010 (I) (hereafter cited as Thomson, “Shameful”).
Wetheridge, Annette. “My Life as the Mother of Michael Jackson’s Children, by Debbie Rowe.” Daily Mail, February 8, 2008.
CHAPTER 21
Mesereau strategy re. proceeding with defense case, presentation strategy: Mesereau. MJ only sleeping well in hospital: Rwaramba to Barak (see Chapter 1 notes); she said the two of them checked in regularly so that he could get some rest. Unwanted people lurking about Neverland: Mesereau, but specific language of photo captions is from Theroux/Daily Telegraph (see Chapter 2 notes). Scene at the courthouse: Mesereau, YouTube videos shot by people who were there, Jones, Orth (see Chapter 5 notes), Thomson. Again, Mesereau’s quotes are from interviews with me: as in Chapter 20, it should be clear which Mesereau quotes are from court; all quotes looking back on it are from interviews (and are not individually cited) unless stated. Tabloid headlines: Thomson/Huffington Post; they are still online. “As I watched the mother”: Orth/“CSI Neverland” (see Chapter 5 notes). “Pedophiles don’t target kids”: Dimond/“Real World Walks”/NY Post. Wade Robson/Brett Barnes testimony/examination: trial transcript; their emotional reactions: Mesereau, to me and to Jones. Mesereau praised Macaulay Culkin and Chris Tucker equally in our interviews, and was quite scathing in his criticisms of various celebrities who refused to show up on MJ’s behalf. Culkin quotes: entirely from trial testimony. Azja Pryor, Violet Silva, Joe Marcus quotes: all from trial transcript. I either summarized or omitted the testimony of other witnesses between Culkin and Pryor, and after Marcus. Anything in quotes is from trial testimony. Irene Peters’s testimony should perhaps be read in the context of the “Sensitive Case” summary written by her superior Jennifer Hottenroth.
I summarized, obviously, the testimony of the forensic accountant, the Social Services intake worker, the weekly newspaper editor, and Janet Arvizo’s sister-in-law. Mary Holzer testimony: trial transcript. Martin Bashir recalled to witness stand, outtake excerpts played to the jury: trial transcript and exhibits in support, aided by Jones’s detailed account, Mesereau. Jurors recalling wanting to spit on Bashir: Mesereau. Conclusion of defense case, frustration of prosecution’s wish to recall the Arvizos: Mesereau (he could scarcely hide his enjoyment, even five years later). Zonen and Mesereau closing arguments: entirely from trial transcript.
Media coverage observations: my own reading of it four, five, and six years after the fact, Thomson, Mesereau; numbers and logistics of coverage: redorbit.com. “Had to be rescued by sheriff’s deputies”: Judge Melville/“Frozen in Time.” Mesereau/Yu underground: Mesereau. “Nervous for the defense”: Richards on MSNBC’s The Abrams Report. Scene at courthouse the day of verdict: Mesereau, foremost, also multiple YouTube videos, Jones. Media reactions to verdict: Thomson, also still online. Jury foreman Rodriguez/Gavin Arvizo not believable: Rodriguez to Nancy Grace. Polls on trial verdict: Thomson, most also still online. Berry Gordy comment: via Mesereau. Klein quote, ratings victory of “Nanny 911,” Wendy Murphy on jurors: Thomson. Murphy, by the way, still insists MJ was guilty. Zonen description of jury, Mesereau response, Judge Melville/”incredible pressure”: “Frozen in Time.” Jurors Hultman and Cook remarks: “Rita Crosby: Live and Direct.” Mesereau response: Mesereau. Jacksons’s celebration, KJ quote: LA Times, NY Daily News; juror Pauline Coccoz almost starting to cry: Daily News only. Mesereau conversations with MJ, Rwaramba, and others: Mesereau. Wendy Murphy, Diane Dimond, Washington Post editorial: again, Thomson, all still online. “Framed!” tour: Orth/“CSI Neverland” (see Chapter 5 notes); Wiesner response: Wiesner.
COURT FILES
Criminal
SBSC 1133603.
DOCUMENTS
“Sensitive Case.” Summary 11/26/03.
TRIAL/AFTERMATH
Crosby, Rita. “2 Jurors Say They Regret Jackson’s Acquittal.” MSNBC/Live and Direct, August 9, 2005 (RT).
Dimond, Diane. “Real World Walks into Jacko Trial.” New York Post, March 6, 2005.
Haberman, Maggie. “Ex-Juror Parties at Jacko’s.” New York Daily News, June 19, 2009.
“Interview with Jackson Jury Foreman.” Nancy Grace Show, Headline News, June 15, 2005 (RT).
“Jackson Jury Deliberations.” MSNBC/ Abrams Report, June 10, 2005 (RT).
Lin II, Rong-Gong, and Monte Morin. “Jackson Fans at Victory Bash.” Los Angeles Times, June 18, 2009.
Thomson, “Responsibility.”
———. “Shameful.”
“2,200 Journalists Await Jackson Verdict.” redorbit.com, June 10, 2005 (I).
CHAPTER 22
Postponement of O2 shows: AEG Web site; NY Daily News, Daily Mail, NME, Roger Friedman columns (three, including “We Told Ya”), others. MJ’s anger re. fifty shows: musicradar.com. Wiesner/Schaffel reaction, MJ preference for movie/video work: Wiesner, Schaffel. “When it’s over, it’s over” MJ quote: Boteach. MJ staying home and missing rehearsals: McConnell/Daily Mail, other London papers not cited. MJ “I know my schedule”: via Ortega to Hoffman/Rolling Stone. MJ’s visits to Klein’s offices: McConnell/Daily Mail among others; Bedford building paparazzi stakeout: Craig Williams, also, Posner (see Chapters 10 and 12 notes). MJ carried out of Klein’s offices: Jason Pfeiffer court filing; also, bodyguard Faheem Muhammad testimony/Murray trial testimony. O2 shows insurance issues and AEG/Lloyds of London/Michael Jackson estate: file of KJ lawsuit against AEG; conversations with Mrs. Jackson’s advisors, plus confidential sources on the three-way battle; also, Michaels/Guardian story and Ryan/LA Times, which drew on a copy of the policy. Predictions O2 concerts would be cancelled: Friedman, Perez Hilton, others. “Making up rumors”: Phillips to Mason/Daily Telegraph. Dr. Slavit examination, certificate of health, details of insurance policy: AEG lawsuit documents, which also informed Ryan’s LA Times article. Dr. Slavit also noted MJ’s lupus/vitiligo symptoms, but those were not considered a threat to his health. Hiring of chef, physical trainer: AEG “Letter of Intent” and “Promissory Note,” e-mails between AEG and MJ representatives. Kai Chase description of diet, MJ seeing self as dancer, only Murray allowed into MJ bedroom: “Jackson chef recalls doctor’s role, final days”/Associated Press. Phillips/AEG resistance to Murray demands/recompense: Murray trial testimony, e-mails admitted into evidence. “Just like President Obama”: Phillips to Hoffman/Rolling Stone. “This is the machine”: Gongaware testimony/Murray trial. Dileo on hiring a doctor to separate MJ/Klein: Murray trial testimony/evidence, AEG lawsuit documents. Dr. Murray hiring: Michael Amir Williams testimony/Murray trial, evidence given by same to KJ attorneys in AEG lawsuit. Murray background: trial, Haynes, and Harasim/Las Vegas Journal-Review; it’s only because of Harasim that I know Murray is from Trinidad, not Grenada, as has been widely reported. Brother Michael and Gongaware communications with Dr. Murray; Gongaware, Jorrie quotes: Murray trial testimony. Dr. Murray ladies’ man, nightlife, strip clubs: preliminary hearing, Harasim article (in which a “promotions girl” recalled that he liked to pose shirtless with women twenty years younger). Assertion Tohme would have kept Murray out: confidential source. May 5 letter signed, apparently, by MJ, circumstances of its arrival, reaction: review of document, via same source, interview. Letter actually written by Dileo: Dileo admitted this (Van Exel)before his death. Tohme insistence the letter was forged, he never received it, etc.: Tohme. As noted earlier, I have a copy of the May 5 letter and of the May 2 letter in which MJ apparently names Dileo as “one” of his representatives. Dileo bio: multiple sources; Tookaroosa Ranch/Tribeca Grill investment: Todd Gold’s People article. Phillips-Dileo relationship: both attorneys who represented MJ in the last year of his life, Allocco to muzikfactorytwo; it’s also the subject of inquiry by attorneys representing Katherine Jackson in the AEG lawsuit. 2009 Beverly Hilton Hotel Mann-Dileo conversations: Mann. “Comfort level”: Dileo quoting Phillips to Van Exel. Potential world tour: Dileo, Phillips in interviews. “I don’t blame Randy . . .”: confidential source. Hawk on conversations with Dileo: Hawk. Concern re. MJ’s commitment to O2 shows: e-mails to and from him admitted into evidence at trial, others via my sources; Phillips at Beverly Hills Hotel meeting, Allocco interview, other sources. Katherine/Joe Jackson anniversary dinner: confidential source, but time and place coincide with “Michael Jackson Timeline”; KJ to Daily Mirror. Date discrepancy: Katherine and Joe were married November 5, 1949. Perhaps the anniversary dinner was held in May to honor their first date, not their marriage, or perhaps, as was suggested to me by an anonymous source, the event had been arranged as an opportunity to convince MJ to meet again with Joe and Rowe to talk about cutting them in on the deal.
MJ more vulnerable to family when with his children/AEG knowledge: Tohme. KJ convincing MJ to come to Beverly Hills Hotel meeting: confidential source. Phillips and Gongaware flanking MJ at meeting, what was discussed: Allocco (to muzikfactorytwo/later in complaints against MJ & estate), Rowe; also, confidential source not present at the meeting but who heard a good deal about it later. “But we all knew how hard it was”: confidential source. Brothers’ public denial, letter to Rowe: review of both May 15, 2009, press release issued by the Jackson brothers and May 25 letter to Rowe. “No one was sure,” “stabbed in the back”: confidential sources. “Do or die”: Randy Phillips in “Deep pockets”/LA Times. Preproduction costs to AEG: primarily, introduced in defense in Murray case (though most of it was kept out); significant part of KJ lawsuit against AEG; also widely reported at the time. “Millionaire from a billionaire”: Phillips in “Promoter . . . right moves”/Telegraph. “Track record of missed performances”: “Deep pockets/LA Times; “Michael Jackson Rehearses Near Burbank Airport” also referenced “his reputation for flaking out on performances and business deals.” “We made Mohammed come to the mountain”: Phillips to Telegraph. “In this business”: Phillips in “Deep pockets.” Wish to “recreate” Victoria Falls: Phillips to contactmusic.com. Phillips added, “We were able to talk him out of that”; I was told by a confidential source that Phillips was a bit more forceful than that in his refusal. Elephant, monkeys, etc., objections of animal rights groups: Jamieson/Telegraph; Phillips’s gratitude for the protests: confidential source. Phillips reminding MJ his own assets were collateral: same confidential source. “He said he would have to work at McDonald’s”: Karen Faye to LAPD, reported in “Do You Want Fries with That?”/TMZ. “Michael Jackson economic stimulus”: Seatwave president to BBC 6 Music via metro.co.uk. AEG out about $30 million: documents associated with AEG lawsuit; Phillips has acknowledged that, more or less, to Contact Music and other interviews.
“I don’t want to hold anything back”: Ortega to Hoffman/Rolling Stone. Work on sound stages at Culver Studios, Bernt Capra quotes: Wiseman/Topanga Messenger; also, Associated Press. Two-a-day sessions with MJ: Travis Payne to Raffles Van Exel. John Caswell quotes: to Kaufman/mtv.com. AllGood lawsuit: review of documents, also, widely reported at the time; see Michaels/Guardian. June 16 and 19 absences from rehearsal: tabloids and Internet at the time, evidence in Murray trial, documents connected to AEG lawsuit. “Self-sabotaging”: Karen Faye to LAPD/reported on TMZ. That accountants and lawyers were impressed by MJ’s focus when it came to business matters I heard from a lawyer and an accountant, neither of whom I can identify by name; Bravado’s CEO made the same point in “Singer’s Last Big Product Push”/LA Times, which enumerated the merchandise to be sold at O2 shows. London shows/potential to repair MJ finances: confidential source. “There are those,” “his dignity as an artist”: Kenny Ortega to McLean/Times of London. Schaffel and Wiesner doubts: Schaffel, Wiesner.
Dileo suggesting bringing Branca aboard: confidential source associated with the lawsuit against AEG. “I’m pretty sure Dileo wanted to bring Branca in”: confidential source. “Michael wants you to come back”/emotional reunion: Branca quoting Dileo to Deutsch/Associated Press. At least a dozen people (including Katherine Jackson) have told me that MJ denounced Branca in the strongest possible language during the last years of his life. Tohme introduction to Branca/lunch date/breaking date at MJ insistence: Tohme; Randy Phillips, on the advice of Marvin Putnam, refused to comment; I also asked Branca, through Mike Sitrick, and got no reply. Michael Amir Williams (Brother Michael) has been very clear about the fact that he never heard Branca’s name or heard about any meetings between MJ and Branca or that MJ had rehired Branca as his attorney.
AEG encouraging hiring of Siegel (they nearly succeeded): e-mails between Brother Michael, Randy Phillips’s assistant Arlyne Lewiston and Siegel. John Hougdahl (inc. “very shaky” quote): e-mail to Phillips and Gongaware. AEG execs furious: testified to at Murray trial, documents associated with AEG lawsuit, confidential source; this source also told me Ortega reassured Phillips and Gongaware during the shooting of the Dome project. “Hugging bones”: Stoller in “Shocking End”/People. Weight 157 pounds in London: Tohme, who put MJ on the scale in his hotel suite. “We did talk a lot about his weight”: Ortega to Lang/The Wrap. Fork-feeding: Phillips to Hoffman/Rolling Stone. “It’s not true”: Ortega to the Times of London. Bain filing for default judgment: June 4, 2009; the appearance on his behalf in D.C. took place shortly before his death; see the Blog of Legal Times, report largely based on National Law Journal; also, MJ fan clubs covered this. Gongaware-Rwaramba letter: Rwaramba LAPD statement, review of document. I believe the quotes attributed to Rwaramba by Barak are accurate, which is why I’ve used them. At the same time, I did feel obligated to acknowledge those (Mallika Chopra and her father Deepak in particular) who have claimed Grace was tricked into giving those interviews, and to note Schaffel’s “vulture” opinion. Please see notes to Chapter 12 for more on Grace’s interviews with Barak. Grace calling Schaffel in late May 2009: Schaffel.
MJ/worsening insomnia: attested to at Murray trial, media coverage; close advisors of KJ have said his own children told their grandmother they were aware he wasn’t getting enough sleep. Late night calls/end of world at hand: confidential sources associatged with KJ/Jackson family, also, Jason Pfeiffer to Woman’s Day. “Too wound up”: Dileo to Rossen/NBC, Van Exel. Payne and Ortega on insomnia/late night calls: Payne to Van Exel, Ortega (“I’m channeling”) to the Times of London/(“information was coming”) to Lee/LA Times blog., Dr. Allan Metzger/propofol: Lee/People(see also Chapter 26). MJ “fearful” O2 concerts would fail due to his exhaustion: Metzger testimony, Murray trial. Klein refusal to prescribe anything beyond sedatives, painkillers, and muscle relaxants: Klein to investigators from coroner’s office and medical board/People v. Murray court file. I believe him; the only drugs prescribed by Klein in MJ’s home after his death were muscle relaxants. Dr. Larry Koplin: subpoena of medical records, L.A. County Coroner; in the subpoena Grace Rwaramba (“Owanda”) identified Koplin as “the last physician to treat Jackson.” Koplin denied providing MJ with propofol and no evidence has been offered to the contrary. “Groggy and out of it”: confidential source, a witness in the AEG lawsuit. Kenny Ortega testimony: Murray trial. Ortega to Phillips e-mail: dated June 20 below, admitted into evidence/Murray trial. AEG execs furious Ortega sent MJ home, Phillips telling Dileo to remind MJ of his contractual obligations: evidence obtained by plaintiffs side/AEG lawsuit. Phillips call to Dr. Murray: Phillips testimony, Murray trial. Dileo voicemail: played in court, evidence. “My concern is” and all Ortega direct quotes and paraphrases in paragraph: Ortega’s June 20, 2009, e-mail to Phillips. “He kept telling people”: Pfeiffer, Woman’s Day. MJ inability to get warm: Paris Jackson to KJ, recounted in documents from AEG lawsuit. “I could hear Michael in the background”: Lee on Anderson Cooper 360.
Conrad Murray drug purchases: evidence (including receipts), preliminary hearing and trial. Benzodiazepine drugs: Wikipedia, associated medical journal articles; “Benzodiazepine” chapter/Shorter/Historical Dictionary of Psychiatry. Wikipedia can admittedly be risky, but I found the entries there to be astonishingly thorough and thoughtful. Claims attributed to Murray: interview with LAPD Detectives Martinez and Smith, a significant piece of evidence at the trial. Murray carrying oxygen canisters: Kai Chase to Deutsch/Associated Press, later, to Larry King Live, also, Chase to police investigators, Murray trial. June 20, 2009, meeting with Murray: Ortega and Phillips testimony/Murray trial.
COURT FILES
Criminal
LASC SA073164.
Criminal Investigation
USDC-CA 09MJ1897.
Civil
USDC-CA CV10 4734.
LASC BC445597.
2:11-bk-12718-RN (United States Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California) Bankruptcy Petition of Arnold Klein, January 20, 2011 (hereafter cited as 2:11-bk-12718-RN).
2:11-ap-02407-RN 6/27/11.
2:11-ap-02407-RN 8/3/11.
LASC BP117321 2/17/12.
DOCUMENTS
“Letter of Intent” 1/26/09.
“Promissory Note” 1/26/09.
Williams to Lewiston, 4/27/09.
Lewiston to Williams, 4/27/09.
E-mail from Barry Siegel, managing partner, Provident Financial Management, to Michael Amir Williams. April 27, 2009.
E-mail from Barry Siegel to Michael Amir Williams. April 28, 2009.
E-mail from Michael Amir Williams to Barry Siegel. April 30, 2009.
E-mail from Barry Siegel to Michael Amir Williams. April 30, 2009.
E-mail from Michael Amir Williams to Barry Siegel. May 1, 2009.
E-mail from Barry Siegel to Michael Amir Williams. May 1, 2009.
“Dear Patients and Friends.” Letter sent by Dr. Conrad Murray to announce his “decision to cease practice of medicine.” June 15, 2009.
E-mail from John Hougdahl to Randy Phillips and Paul Gongaware. June 19, 2009.
E-mail from Kenny Ortega to Randy Phillips. June 20, 2009.
“Statement by Jermaine Jackson” announcing Michael Jackson’s death. June 25, 2009.
“Los Angeles Police Department Internal Affairs Group Transcript of Recorded Interview with Dr. Conrad Murray.” June 27, 2009.
Weitzman to Sullivan and Entrekin, 3/31/11.
“RE: Your Letter of March 28, 2011.” letter from Lee H. Durst (Howard Mann attorney) to Jeremiah Reynolds (Howard Weitzman associate). April 3, 2011 (hereafter cited as Durst to Reynolds, 4/3/11).
POSTPONEMENT/MJ HEALTH
Connor, Tracy. “Michael Jackson Denies Skin Cancer Report; Star Still Set to Perform at London Comeback Concerts.” New York Daily News, May 16, 2009.
Friedman, Roger. “Jacko Shows Delayed, but Are Definitely On.” Showbiz411.com, May 11, 2009 (I).
———. “Jacko Shows Might Be Delayed.” Showbiz411.com, May 4, 2009 (I).
———. “Jacko Start Date Pushed Back—We Told Ya.” Showbiz411.com, May 21, 2009 (I).
McConnell, “Doctors.”
“Michael Jackson Fans Launch Petition over O2 Arena Postponement.” NME, May 21, 2009.
Rogerson, Ben. “Jackson ‘Angry’ at 50-Date O2 Run.” musicradar.com, June 2, 2009 (I).
Ryan, Harriet. “Jackson Was Scheduled for a Second Physical.” Los Angeles Times, August 7, 2009.
DILEO/TOHME/ALLGOOD
Gold, Todd. “Dumped by Michael Jackson, Former Manager Frank Dileo Bounces Back as One of Hollywood’s Goodfellas.” People, October 22, 1990.
“Jacksons Deny Any Involvement with Planned Jackson 5 Reunion Show in Texas with Brother Michael and Sister Janet.” May 15, 2009 (PR).
“Michael Jackson’s Mum Remembers Her Son a Year On and Reveals What Life Is Like for His Children.” Daily Mirror, June 20, 2010 (hereafter cited as “Jackson’s Mum Remembers”).
Yazmeen, “Allocco.”
PREPARATIONS FOR “THIS IS IT”
Chmielewski, Dawn C. “Singer’s Last Big Product Push.” Los Angeles Times, July 9, 2009.
Cooper, Anderson. “Michael Jackson’s Last Days: Jackson’s Nurse Speaks Out.” CNN, June 30, 2009 (RT).
Hoffman, “Last Days.”
“I Was Jacko’s Secret Lover.” Woman’s Day, August 14, 2009.
“Jackson Wanted Victoria Falls Onstage.” contactmusic.com, October 16, 2009 (I).
Jamieson, Alastair. “Michael Jackson Wants to Ride an Elephant on Stage at His Concerts, Reports Claim.” Daily Telegraph, March 25, 2009.
Kaufman, Gil. “Michael Jackson’s Last Tour Rehearsals Filed for Possible Release.” mtv.com, June 29, 2009 (I).
Lang, Brent. “Kenny Ortega Talks About Michael Again.” Wrap, December 2, 2009 (I).
Lee, Chris. “Michael Jackson: He Was Channeling God.” LATimes.com, October 27, 2009 (I).
Lee and Ryan. “Deep Pockets.”
Mason. “Phillips Profile.”
McLean, Craig. “Kenny Ortega on Michael Jackson’s Final Days.” Times, October 24, 2009 (hereafter cited as McLean, “Ortega”).
“Do You Want Fries?”
“Michael Jackson Finally Takes the Stage in D.C. Court.” Legaltimes.typepad.com, June 19, 2009 (I).
“Michael Jackson in ‘Billion Pound’ Boost to Economy.” metro.co.uk, May 8, 2009 (I).
“Michael Jackson Shocking End, 1958–2009.” People, July 13, 2009.
“Michael Jackson Wrapped Secret Film Project 2 Weeks Before He Died.” Associated Press, July 1, 2009.
Michaels, Sean. “Michael Jackson Comeback Concerts in Jeopardy?” Guardian, May 12, 2009.
———. “Michael Jackson Concert Insurer Refuses $17.5 M Payout.” Guardian, June 8, 2011.
———. “Michael Jackson Sued for O2 Arena Residency.” Guardian, June 12, 2009.
Rossen, “Mystery Man.”
Ryan, Harriet, and Chris Lee. “Michael Jackson Rehearses Near Burbank Airport.” Los Angeles Times, May 12, 2009.
Van Exel, Raffles. “Dileo.”
———. “Interview with Travis Payne.” YouTube, June 27, 2009 (I) (hereafter cited as Van Excel, “Travis Payne”).
Wiseman, Cassandra. “Tour Set Dies with Michael Jackson.” Topanga Messenger, July 16, 2009.
DR. CONRAD MURRAY
Deutsch, Linda. “Jackson Chef Recalls Doctor’s Role, Final Days.” July 29, 2009 (hereafter cited as Deutsch, “Jackson Chef”).
Harasim, Paul. “Cardiologists Link Hurting Energy Drink.” Las Vegas Journal-Review, July 19, 2009.
Haynes, Brian. “Michael Jackson’s Doctor Has History of Legal, Financial Woes.” Las Vegas Journal-Review, June 27, 2009.
DRUGS/PROPOFOL
Lee, Ken. “Doctor Warned Michael Jackson About Propofol in April.” People, July 31, 2009.
King, Larry. “Breaking News Investigation into Michael Jackson’s Death.” July 30, 2009 (RT).
WIKIPEDIA
“Benzodiazepine.”
“Diazepam.”
“Lorazepam.”
“Midazolam.”
“Propofol.”
CHAPTER 23
Move to the Staples Center to accommodate scale of production: Caswell to USA Today, also, Ortega and Phillips testimony/Murray trial. “Rise to the occasion”: Ortega June 20 e-mail to Phillips. “In this new kind of place”: Phillips to Eric Ditzian/MTV. MJ’s mercurial nature: multiple sources, including This Is It. “Beautiful, beautiful”: Ortega to UPI. Orabona quotes: Orabona to Trey Borzillieri/Huffington Post, which Borzillieri sent me. Thanks, Trey. Other performers “an extension” of MJ: recalled by Orabona, Ortega (in different language), This Is It. Tohme’s visit to Staples Center: Tohme (who showed me the All Access bracelet); Phillips, again on the advice of Marvin Putnam, declined to comment. Tohme-KJ meeting: Tohme, KJ, her advisors, who obviously agree with her version. Dr. Murray “treatment” of MJ June 23: Murray’s June 27, 2009, interview with LAPD detectives Martinez and Smith. June 24 meeting at Staples Center: Ortega and Phillips testimony/Murray trial, Ken Ehrlich to Lee/Ryan/LA Times and Gunderson/Breznican/USA Today, Hoffman/Rolling Stone; all accounts describe MJ as happy and excited, esp. about Dome project. MJ-AEG agreements re. “Ghosts”: AEG lawsuit, referenced at Murray trial. Descriptions of videos: This Is It. “I want people to scream for miles,” description of illusions: Alonzo to Gunderson/USA Today article. MJ complaining of laryngitis, “He looked great . . .”: Alonzo in “Last Rehearsal”/LA Times. “Bioluminescent”: Ortega to Hoffman/Rolling Stone. “Was electric,” “We all looked at each other”: Woodroffe to BBC Radio 4, quoted in Gunderson/USA Today. “It was fantastic”: Phillips to LA Times. “I watched in awe,” “I honestly could not wait”: Mazur to BBC. “The hair on the back of my neck,” “What I saw that night”: Ehrlich in “Last Rehearsal”/LA Times. Orabona: Borzillieri. “He didn’t take a moment,” MJ stopping to look at spiders: Alonzo in “Last Rehearsal.” “Earth Song” performance: Hoffman, Rolling Stone. Goose bumps: Phillips to LA Times. “When he finished”: Ortega to Hoffman/Rolling Stone. “This is the dream,” “There was this anticipation”: Ortega to Ditzien/MTV. MJ leaving Staples around 12:30: Ortega, Phillips, Travis Payne, others. Ghosts coming through the screen: Ortega to McLean/the Times of London. Walking MJ to car, “He put his arm around me . . .”: Phillips to Hoffman/Rolling Stone. “Ecstatic and excited”: Payne to Van Exel.
Murray account of trying to put MJ to sleep: his interview with detectives Martinez and Smith; questions about the doctor’s truthfulness are dealt with in the trial section (see Afterword notes). Effects of Valium, Atavin, and Versed: Shorter, Wikipedia pages, medical journals; I also spoke to my own physician, James Biemer, about the effects of benzodiazepine drugs. Clark County warrant for Murray’s arrest for failure to pay child support: Las Vegas Sun. Pulse oximeter, no longer breathing: Murray to detectives Martinez and Smith. Chernoff claim that police misunderstood: press conference after Murray’s police interrogation. Murray phone calls: testimony and evidence in preliminary hearing and criminal trial; messages themselves were played in court. Anding-Murray conversation: Anding testimony, preliminary hearing. “Rushed over to Jackson”: Chernoff press conference. Williams message from Murray: Williams’s testimony, criminal trial. Murray running downstairs and shouting, Chase quotes: Chase to Deutsch/AP, except Tuscan bean soup: testimony/criminal trial. Chernoff/”get security”: press conference, chef did not recall: Chase testimony. Brother Michael, Alberto Alvarez, Faheem Muhammad accounts: their testimony in court. Prince and Paris entering bedroom: Alvarez, Muhammad testimony. Text messages, data packages: prosecution evidence at trial. 911 call, transcript, and exact times: prosecution evidence; this is the entire transcript of the conversation. “I walked into the hall”: Chase to Deutsch/AP. Paramedics exact time of arrival, MJ’s condition: testimony by paramedics, Senneff and Blount (as all further Senneff/Blount recollections). “We were all praying”: Chase to Deutsch/AP. Murray behavior and response to paramedics: paramedics testimony. Chase ordered to leave, etc.: Chase to Deutsch. Dileo–Brother Michael call, subsequent actions: Dileo to Van Exel. Tohme recollections: Tohme. Time of death: Dr. Cooper and Dr. Nguyen testimony, also noted in documents in evidence at Murray trial. Jermaine Jackson announcement of MJ’s death: transcript, but also available on YouTube. Murray encounter with Paris Jackson: Murray to detectives Martinez and Smith. Murray asking for a ride: Brother Michael, Muhammad testimony. Travis Payne account, “I saw Kenny’s face drop,” “No one wanted to believe”: Payne to Van Exel. “A lot of rumor calls,” production team gathering to pray: Ortega to the Times of London, as his for MJ’s return “in a strong state of health.” Payne and Ortega both recalled the candle lighting in interviews.
COURT FILES
Criminal
LASC SA073164.
Civil
USDC-CA CV10 4734.
LASC BC445597.
LAST DAYS
Borzillieri, Trey. “Michael Jackson’s This Is It—Behind the Camera with Videog-rapher Sandrine Orabona.” Huffington Post, November 19, 2009.
Ditzian, Eric. “‘This Is It’ Director Kenny Ortega on Michael Jackson’s Final Rehearsals: ‘This Is the Dream. We Did It Good, Kenny, We Did It,’ Ortega Remembers MJ Saying.” mtv.com, October 27, 2009 (I).
Hoffman, “Last Days.”
“Kenny Ortega: Michael Jackson Never Thought He Lost His Crown.” UPI, October 24, 2009.
McLean, “Ortega.”
LAST DAY
Deutsch, “Jackson Chef.”
German, Jeff. “Warrant Sought for Michael Jackson Doctor over Child Support.” Las Vegas Sun, October 7, 2009.
Gundersen, Edna, and Anthony Breznican. “Inside Michael Jackson’s Last Show: The Magic Was Back.” USA Today, June 30, 2009.
Lee, Chris, and Harriet Ryan. “Michael Jackson’s Last Rehearsal: Just Beaming with Gladness.” Los Angeles Times, June 27, 2009.
“Photographer on Jackson Rehearsals.” BBC, June 30, 2009 (RT).
Van Exel, Raffles. “Dileo.”
———. “Travis Payne.”
CHAPTER 24
I arrived in Los Angeles shortly after MJ’s death and stayed through the memorial service, all on the dime of Rolling Stone magazine. The all-consuming coverage was especially overwhelming in LA, but one also had the sense of its global scale. It was the first time, I think, that I understood how international was MJ’s celebrity.
TMZ gloating about breaking story: TMZ; perspective on claims: “Turning Point”/LA Times.; see also Daily Telegraph on TMZ “scooping the world,” Daily Mail’s “How Michael Jackson’s death shut down Twitter,” “Outpouring”/Christian Science Monitor, David Sarno/“Michael Jackson–related traffic,” Shea Bennett. Scene at hospital, fraternity house, helicopter flying MJ’s body to the morgue (incl. girls blocking ER driveway): “Michael Jackson dead at 50”/LA Times. “No matter what people say”: Harvey Levin in “TV misses out . . .”/LA Times. Scene outside MJ’s house: LATimes blogs, “Tourists flock to Michael Jackson sites”/LA Times, “Michael Jackson dead”/CNN, “Michael Jackson fans in shock”/Daily Mail. Scene at Hayvenhurst: LA Times blogs, “Fans can’t stop crying, dancing”/NBC local. Joe Jackson remarks/their timing: “How . . . shut down Twitter”/Daily Mail, from LA Times blogs. Concern about medical privacy/Britney Spears and Farrah Fawcett outrages: Molly Hennessy-Fiske (which revealed MJ’s records were improperly accessed), also, LA Times blogs; Lawanda Jackson was being prosecuted for violating medical privacy laws when she died at the age of fifty.
Impromptu MJ memorials: LA Times blogs, Harvey/Times of London, “Tributes are pouring in…”/LA Times, “Outpouring”/Christian Science Monitor, “Michael Jackson fans in shock . . .”/Daily Mail, Wikipedia. Women marching on Hollywood Boulevard, exodus to Neverland: Times blogs. International reaction: “Fans around the world”/Associated Press, “Fans worldwide”/ LA Times. Kim Dae-Jung, Imelda Marcos: “Shock and Grief”/Sharon Otterman/NY Times. Gordon Brown, David Cameron: BBC. Japanese ministers: Masters/Time (see Chapter 8 notes),Kageyama/Associated Press (see Chapter 8 notes). Frederic Mitterrand: Alexis Griffith/WorldMeetsUs. Nelson Mandela: his foundation. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Barack Obama/Robert Gibbs, John Roberts memo: Malcolm/LA Times. Pause in Congress: Politico. Serena Williams, Roger Federer: USA Today. McCartney, Mottola: issued through publicists and reported by the New York Times, LA Times. President Obama eventually did speak for himself about MJ and sent the Jackson family a letter of condolence; see msnbc.com below. Henninger comments: “Michael: The Last Celebrity”/WSJ; David Segal made many of the same points in his earlier New York Times piece. John Mayer, Miley Cyrus, Demi Moore: “Celebrities mourn Michael Jackson’s death via Twitter”/ Latimes.com. “With friends like that”: Mesereau. Liz Taylor too devastated to speak: Natalie Finn. Liza Minnelli quote: Andrew Gumbel/“Police focus on doctor”/the Guardian.
Bates, Claire. “How Michael Jackson’s Death Shut Down Twitter, Brought Chaos to Google . . . and ‘Killed Off’ Jeff Goldblum.” Daily Mail, June 26, 2009.
Bennet, Shea. “How the Internet Died with Michael Jackson.” mediabistro.com, June 26, 2009 (I).
“Brown ‘Saddened’ by Jackson Death.” BBC, June 26, 2009 (RT).
“Celebrities Mourn Michael Jackson’s Death via Twitter.” LATimes.com, June 25, 2009 (I.)
Chu, Henry. “Fans Worldwide Grieve for Michael Jackson.” Los Angeles Times, June 27, 2009.
Collins, Scott, and Greg Braxton. “TV Misses Out as Gossip Website TMZ Reports Michael Jackson’s Death First.” Los Angeles Times, June 26, 2009.
Collins, Scott and Meg James. “Michael Jackson May Be Turning Point for TMZ.” Los Angeles Times, June 28, 2009.
“Fans Around the World Mourn Michael Jackson.” Associated Press, June 26, 2009.
“Fans Can’t Stop Crying, Dancing on Hayvenhurst.” KNBC, July 16, 2009 (RT).
Finn, Natalie. “Liz Taylor ‘Too Devastated’ to Comment on Jackson’s Death; Liza Minelli, Brooke Shields React.” E!online, June 25, 2009 (I).
Gavin, Patrick. “Congress Pauses for Michael Jackson.” Politico, June 26, 2009 (Politico.com).
Griffiths, Alexis. “Jackson: The Tragic ‘Genetically Modified’ Icon of Globalization.” WorldMeetsUs.com, June 27, 2009 (I).
Gumbel, Andrew. “Police Focus on Doctor Who Was with Michael Jackson as He Died.” Guardian, June 27, 2009 (hereafter cited as Gumbel, “Police Focus”).
Harvey, Michael. “Fans Mourn Artist for Whom It Didn’t Matter If You Were Black or White.” Times, June 26, 2009.
Hennessy-Fiske, Molly. “Michael Jackson’s Medical Records at UCLA Were Improperly Accessed, Source Says.” LATimes.com, June 10, 2010 (I).
Henninger, Daniel. “Michael: The Last Celebrity.” Wall Street Journal, July 3, 2009.
Malcolm, Andrew. “In Death, Michael Jackson Gets Politicians’ (Cautious) Admiration.” Los Angeles Times, June 27, 2009.
Martin, Hugo, and W. J. Hennigan. “Tourists Flock to Michael Jackson Sites; Tour Buses Adjust Their Routes.” Los Angeles Times, June 27, 2009.
Metz, Rachel, and Daniel B. Wood. “Outpouring over Michael Jackson Unlike Anything Since Princess Di.” Christian Science Monitor, June 27, 2009.
“Michael Jackson Dead at 50 After Cardiac Arrest.” CNN, June 25, 2009 (RT).
“Michael Jackson Fans in Shock as the World Mourns the King of Pop.” Daily Mail, June 26, 2009.
Murray, Mark. “Obama on Michael Jackson’s Death.” msnbc.com, July 2, 2009 (I).
Otterman, Sharon. “Around the World, Shock and Grief over Jackson.” New York Times, June 26, 2009.
Ryan, Harriet,; Chris Lee, Andrew Blankstein, and Scott Gold. “Michael Jackson Dead at 50.” Los Angeles Times, June 26, 2009.
Santa Cruz, Nicole, and Ari B. Bloomekatz. “Tributes Are Pouring in for Jackson.” Los Angeles Times, June 29, 2009.
Sarno, David. “Michael Jackson–Related Traffic Doubled Twitter’s Update Frequency, Tripled Facebook’s.” Los Angeles Times, June 25, 2009.
Segal, David. “After Jackson, Fame May Never Be the Same.” New York Times, June 28, 2009.
“Serena Williams Pays Tribute to Michael Jackson at Wimbledon.” USA Today, June 26, 2009.
CHAPTER 25
Description of MJ’s body: autopsy report, death certificate. Better health than expected: see Snead/LA Times on false story in Britain’s Sun (“8 st. 1 oz”); Fox News, NY Daily News on actual autopsy. Early investigation, police focus on Conrad Murray: “Michael Jackson’s doctor interviewed”/LATimes, Gumbel/the Guardian articles, Steinhauer/“Medication a Focus,” Ryan/“Police seize medical CD”; all of that and more came out later at Murray’s criminal trial. Also, Associated Press on search warrants executed after MJ’s death, Daily Mail on questions to be answered. Matt Alford put himself forth as Murray’s attorney initially (see Gumbel/“Michael Jackson doctor hires lawyer”), but Chernoff was already on the scene (Chernoff to Andrew McCartney/Associated Press; Murray to detectives Martinez and Smith—Chernoff was present; transcript). Chernoff bio: his firm’s Web site, Ryan/“Unlikely lawyer,” accounts of attorneys present during Murray’s criminal trial. “Considered to be a witness,” “every and all questions”: Chernoff press conference, see Chapter 26 notes. LAPD, coroner statements: issued to media. Jacksons promptly hiring Dr. Calmes: “Michael Jackson’s doctor interviewed”/LA Times, “Michael Jackson’s doctor hires . . .”/Guardian, Observer. MJ’s brain, or at least most of it, retained by the coroner’s office: reporting at the time, autopsy and toxicology reports. Involvement of federal and international law enforcement: LA Times, court file in Murray case.
The size and value of the MJ estate is still being debated (between the estate’s attorneys and the IRS, among others) and is something I know a great deal about, thanks to people associated with the struggle to control it, and to the lawsuit filed by Joe Jackson against the estate, as well as the extensive media coverage. I’m drawing on all of that when I make generalizations. MJ’s album sales: Keith Caulfield and June 21, 2010/Billboard; in first three weeks after death: Lee/Lewis/LA Times (they actually got Amazon to account for its music sales); online sales: Lewis/Times online; see also, Sisario/New York Times, Sexton/Billboard, Entertainment Weekly, the Times of London, NME, BBC, and Business Wire comparison of record sales in 2009 and 2008. I base my assessment of MJ’s imminent net worth on my knowledge of the estate and its assets.
As I described earlier in these notes, I made a thorough investigation of the claim that Tohme looted the Carolwood house and swiped MJ’s money and found it to be utterly without foundation. Ron Williams, whom I regard as an unimpeachable source, described what he observed at the Carolwood house on the evening of MJ’s death and in the days and weeks that followed in interviews with me. Grace/transatlantic phone call from KJ: Rwaramba to Barak (see Chapter 1 notes), who was with Rwaramba when she answered that call. La Toya/garbage bags of money: verbally that very day, via Rolling Stone (through Gerri Hirshey; it ran in Hoffman/“Last Days”); paper wrappers and spilled twenties claim: Craig Williams. I should note that Perry Sanders defended Katherine Jackson’s presence at the house as nothing more than a mother attempting to protect her dead son’s property from potential looters, and also said that Katherine was there to retrieve clothing and other personal items that belonged to MJ’s children (Paris wanted a shirt that “smelled like daddy”), as well as the Cadillac Escalade that was “used to transport the children.”
No will surfaced in the first week after MJ’s death and I’ve been advised by Katherine Jackson’s close advisors that she had no knowledge that a will existed. Joe Jackson/CNN interview: witnessed firsthand outside the Shrine Auditorium; for the shock and disgust it inspired, see Steve Harvey/theTimes, Associated Press on Sharpton. Early hearings before Judge Beckloff re. MJ estate, custody of children: firsthand witness, also LA Times, Associated Press on hearings/pleadings. “First legal volley”/ “Michael Jackson’s mother granted temporary guardianship”/LA Times. Description of Debbie Rowe/her relationship with Prince and Paris, identity of Blanket’s mother in papers: verbatim from petition. Joe Jackson KABC interview: via Daily Mail June 28, 2009. “Shadowy entourage”: La Toya paid interview/News of the World, see also list. Tohme didn’t fire the staff; they were held at the house and interviewed by the LAPD, then told they could go late that evening. All of this was observed by Ron Williams. AEG was actually Williams’s employer at that time, and it was AEG’s decision that the Talon people should be placed in charge of security at the Carolwood chateau and that MJ’s security staff should be told not to return to the property. Tohme quotes: Tohme; Tohme returning “lockbox” money: confirmed by Hawk, Cannon. Accusations against Tohme: widely reported. “Wrong people”: Dileo to Rossen/“Today,” which also introduced the Reverent June Gatlin claiming she was MJ’s spiritual advisor and that MJ was afraid of Tohme. As elsewhere, all Tohme quotes (incl. descriptions of the strain this placed on him) are from interviews unless otherwise stated. Jackson and Sharpton: People, Associated Press, many others; they were with the Jacksons in nearly every public appearance in the days immediately following MJ’s death. Leo Terrell quotes: Terrell. Sunshine quote: “Jackson Media Frenzy Faulted”/LA Times. Rowe: see his Action News and Larry King Live appearances; “you do not represent me”: see Chapter 22. Rio de Janeiro: Cobo/Billboard; Pakistani girls: Associated Press photo via USA Today. Scene at former Jackson home in Gary: Keagle/local paper. MJ media coverage, surge in airplay/Internet play of music and videos: Jeff Poor, Randy Lewis. Pew Research Center poll: see below for poll and other analysis. I don’t listen to Rush Limbaugh, but the radio host described his agreement with Al Sharpton on his own Web site. I didn’t see the Bill O’Reilly “rant” either, but see the Yahoo story. Hugo Chavez comment: El Universal.
COURT FILES
Criminal
LASC SA073164.
Civil
LASC. BC44597
USD-CA CV10 4734.
DOCUMENTS
Autopsy 6/25/09.
“Recorded Interview of Conrad Murray,” Los Angeles Police Department Internal Affairs Group. June 27, 2009.
Certificate of Death, Jackson, Michael Joseph, County of Los Angeles Department of Health Services., July 7, 2009 (hereafter cited as Certificate of Death, 7/7/09.
AUTOPSY/PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION
Blankstein, Andrew, Rong-Gong Lin II, Harriet Ryan, and Scott Gold. “Michael Jackson’s Doctor Interviewed by LAPD.” Los Angeles Times, June 28, 2009.
“Edward M. Chernoff.” houstoncriminallaw.com (PR).
Gumbel, Andrew. “Michael Jackson Doctor Hires Lawyer as Family Hires Pathologist.” The Guardian, June 28, 2009.
———. “Police Focus.”
Harris, Paul. “Michael Jackson’s Family ‘Ask for Second Autopsy.’” Observer, June 28, 2009.
McCartney, Anthony. “Lawyer for Doctor: Jackson Had Pulse When Found.” Associated Press, June 28, 2009.
McKay, Hollie. “Michael Jackson Balding, Incredibly Thin and Had Tattooed Facial Features.” Fox News, February 9, 2010 (I).
Parker, Nick, and Steve Kennedy. “8 st. 1 oz., no food just pills in his stomach, bald, bruised . . .” The Sun, July 3, 2009.
———. “The Shock Findings of the Michael Jackson Autopsy.” Sun, July 3, 2009.
Ryan, Harriet. “Police Seize Medical CD Labeled with Jackson Pseudonym.” Los Angeles Times, July 29, 2009.
———. “The Unlikely Lawyer in Conrad Murray’s Corner.” Los Angeles Times, September 12, 2011.
Sears, Neil, Julie Moult, and Arthur Martin. “Michael Jackson’s Death: The Questions Still to Be Answered.” Daily Mail, June 29, 2009.
Siemaszko, Corky. “Michael Jackson Autopsy Report Confirms Singer Suffered from Vitiligo, Wore Wig, Had Tattooed Makeup.” New York Daily News, February 10, 2010.
Snead, Elizabeth. “What Killed Michael Jackson, Where Will He Be Buried, Where’s His Brain?” Los Angeles Times, July 7, 2009 (hereafter cited as Snead, “What Killed Michael Jackson?”).
Steinhauer, Jennifer. “Medication a Focus of Jackson Inquiry.” New York Times, June 27, 2009.
Watkins, Thomas. “Unsealed Search Warrants Reveal Heavy-Duty Anesthetic and Skin-Whiteners Found in Michael Jackson’s Home.” Associated Press, March 27, 2010.
Post-Death Career Boom/Estate
Caulfield, Keith. “Fans Snap Up 1.1 Million Michael Jackson Albums in One Week.” Billboard, July 14, 2009.
———. “Michael Jackson Breaks Billboard Charts Records.” Billboard, June 30, 2009.
Christman, Ed, Ann Donahue, Gail Mitchell, Glenn Peoples, and Ray Waddell. “How Michael Jackson Made $1 Billion Since His Death.” Billboard, June 21, 2010 (hereafter cited as Christman, Donahue, Mitchell, Peoples, and Waddell).
Lee, Chris, and Randy Lewis. “Michael Jackson’s Record Sales Top 9 Million Since His Death.” Los Angeles Times, July 16, 2009.
Lewis, Randy. “Michael Jackson Album Sales Highlight Physical, Digital Merits.” LATimes.com, July 14, 2009 (I).
Morgan, Piers. “John Branca and Howard Weitzman Discuss Michael Jackson Estate.” CNN, October 3, 2011 (RT) (hereafter cited as Morgan, “Branca and Weitzman”).
Sexton, Paul. “Michael Jackson Scores Eight of Top 10 Euro Albums.” Billboard, July 16, 2009.
Sisario, Ben. “In Death as in Life, Michael Jackson Sets Music Sales Records.” New York Times, July 2, 2009 (hereafter cited as Sisario, “In Death”).
“2009 U.S. Music Purchases Up 2.1% over 2008; Music Sales Exceed 1.5 Billion for Second Consecutive Year.” Business Wire, January 6, 2010 (PR).
JACKSON FAMILY OPPORTUNISM/TOHME ACCUSATIONS
Harris, Paul, and Jo Clements. “Michael Jackson Death Was ‘Foul Play,’ Claims Father Joe.” Daily Mail, June 28, 2009.
Harvey, Steve. “Joe Jackson Condemned over Reaction to Death of Son, Michael.” Times, June 30, 2009.
Rossen, “Mystery Man.”
CUSTODY/COURT/DEBBIE ROWE
Dolan, Maura, and Jessica Garrison. “Debbie Rowe Considers Bid for Custody of Michael Jackson’s 2 Older Children.” Los Angeles Times, July 2, 2009.
Kim, Victoria, and Andrew Blankstein. “Michael Jackson’s Mother Granted Temporary Guardianship of His Three Children.” Los Angeles Times, June 29, 2009.
McCartney, Anthony. “Michael Jackson’s Mother Seeks Custody of His Children.” Associated Press, June 29, 2009.
JESSE JACKSON/AL SHARPTON/LEONARD ROWE
Clark, Champ. “Jackson Family Has Questions.” People, June 28, 2009.
“Al Sharpton Spins Joe Jackson’s Bizarre CNN Interview.” Associated Press, June 29, 2009 (I).
King, Larry. “Michael Murdered? Interviews with Joe Jackson and Leonard Rowe.” CNN, July 20, 2009 (RT).
“Metro Atlanta Mourns Michael Jackson’s Death.” Action News, WSB-TV, June 25, 2009 (RT).
INTERNATIONAL OUTPOURING/UNIFYING EVENT/EXCESSIVE COVERAGE
Cobo, Leila. “Michael Jackson Remains a Global Phenomenon.” Billboard, July 2, 2009.
———. “We Are the World: Brazil.” Billboard, July 11, 2009.
“El Rushbo Supports Justice Brothers in Case of Media v. Michael Jackson.” Rushlimbaugh.com, June 29, 2009 (I).
Fernandez, Maria Elena, and Scott Collins. “Jackson Media Frenzy Faulted.” Los Angeles Times, July 4, 2009 (hereafter cited as Fernandez and Collins).
“Hugo Chavez Scolds CNN for Coverage of Michael Jackson’s Death.” El Universal, June 25, 2009.
Keagle, Lauri Harvey. “Fans Paying Respects to the King of Pop at Boyhood Home.” The Times of Northwest Indiana, June 26, 2009.
Lewis, Randy. “Radio Airplay for Michael Jackson: Off the Chart.” LATimes.com, June 29, 2009 (I).
“Most Americans Believe Jackson Coverage Excessive.” Pew Research Center, July 2, 2009 (I).
“O’Reilly Provokes Outrage with Jackson Rant.” Yahoo News, July 2009 (I).
Poor, Jeff. “Jacko Telethon: Primetime Broadcast Network Coverage Devotes One Third of All News to Pop Star’s Death.” NewsBusters, July 10, 2009 (I).
Sanneh, Kelefa. “Postscript: Michael Jackson.” New Yorker, July 6, 2009.
“Time Magazine to Publish Special Jackson Issue.” People, June 27, 2009.
CHAPTER 26
I have a copy of the will that was handed out at the courthouse in Los Angeles on the day of John Branca’s first appearance before Judge Beckloff. Details of its filing: “Executors Named by . . .”, LA Times, New York Times. Branca retaining Sitrick, Weitzman: Mike was already speaking for Branca on the day the will surfaced; Weitzman represented Branca from his first court appearance. Weitzman bio: his firm’s site, my own observations of him from the time of the DeLorean trial. I met Mike Sitrick for the first (and only) time at his Fourth of July party in Malibu, three days after the MJ will arrived at the courthouse in LA. We were introduced by my friend Ron Kaye, the retired editor of the Los Angeles Daily News, who told me a good deal about Sitrick’s place in the LA power structure. We’ve only communicated by e-mail since then. Sitrick’s “Wheel of Pain”: an attorney who deposed him (claiming to be the only one who ever had) in a lawsuit; Sitrick career: Nolan/Gawker, see also Sitrick’s book Spin. I know people are afraid of him because they’ve told me they are. Media interest in Debbie Rowe cut out of MJ’s will: see Associated Press headline; local news in Los Angeles led with it, too. Diana Ross/no interest in raising MJ’s children: sources close to KJ; note also Daily Mail. I also have a copy of MJ’s trust agreement. Sandra Ribera, who is intimately familiar with the terms of both the trust and the will, and an attorney to boot, pointed out what she thought was some misunderstanding of the will on my part and suggested changes to the manuscript that I made. “They applauded three times . . .”/Branca account of meeting with Jacksons: Deutsch/“Jackson had long history”; Katherine Jackson told quite a different story. “My son had told me”: KJ at a meeting the two of us attended together at a hotel in the San Fernando Valley. Branca astonished: expressed through Howard Weitzman at the hearing to consider Mrs. Jackson’s motion to make her the executor of MJ’s estate, observed firsthand. “Key concession” Katherine had won, Branca/Weitzman deal attempt, Jackson side request for the power to subpoena Branca/McClain, Weitzman/delaying “urgent probe” into missing assets: attorneys and advisors working for Mrs. Jackson, who have shown me court documents. See also Mayorases Web site, Ryan and Kim/LA Times, blow-by-blow in Julie Garber/ about.com “wills” blog, law.com article. The Forbes article (see below) about the value of MJ’s holdings was not written until late 2010, but it was based upon the status and performance of the estate in 2009. Continued surge in sale of MJ’s music: the Times of London, Guardian, New York Times. Quantity and opinion of “incalculable” value of warehoused music, film, and video footage: Schaffel, Wiesner. I was fortunate to avoid an embarrassing mistake in connection to the Julien’s auction of the MJ memorabilia supposedly belonging to David Gest (as reported by LA Times day of and day after the auction); it was only by chance that I saw that Gest disavowed ownership and expressed his fury (Contact Music). It turned out that they had been consigned from someone who obtained them from Gest earlier. MJ domain name on eBay for $10 million: saw firsthand. July 6 hearing/long introduction of all the attorneys: firsthand observation; see law.com and Ryan and Kim/LA Times, which both described the various attorneys’ backgrounds). How McMillan came to represent KJ: KJ. Branca’s representations about the will: in court. To my knowledge, he has never identified the attorney who actually prepared the will, or offered any details about the signing. Questions about the will: various attorneys, observers, and advisors of Katherine Jackson. Termination letter MJ sent to Branca with instructions to return all documents, Barry Siegel (fired at the same time as Branca) removing himself as executor: from the documents. “Complete and unfettered” language: from trust document; see Mayorases relevant blog posts below; Mayoras quotes also come from interviews for Stealing Michael Jackson. Observations about exclusion clause and KJ: blog posts and film interviews. Authenticity of the will: Tohme, KJ/advisors, filings from Joe Jackson vs. estate. Katherine advice from attorneys and what she was thinking herself: KJ personally, in greater detail from her advisors and attorneys.
McClain long Jackson family association: KJ advisors/ attorneys. McClain “disability”: not specified by Weitzman in remarks to court (at least in my presence); diabetic/stroke explanation: KJ advisors/attorneys, but as conjecture. McClain background: lalate.com profile and Taraborrelli (incl. Joe Jackson on losing Janet as client). KJ fondness for McClain (a high school friend of Jackie’s), Joe’s wariness: Jacksons’s advisors/attorneys. KJ concern about Branca: KJ. Joe Jackson re. Branca: Stealing Michael Jackson interview. Schreiber expressing KJ concerns about Branca, Hoffman answer, Beckloff ruling: observed firsthand. My assessment of why this seemed reasonable, because of Branca’s abilities, is based on my knowledge of his career successes and the concessions made to me even by people who dislike him that he is, as I wrote, “a brilliant lawyer and a masterful dealmaker.” Branca has already earned millions of dollars by administering MJ’s estate, and there are certainly people who think he deserves it. “Maximizing the estate”: Weitzman, July 6 hearing, in my presence. Judge’s ruling: also present; the details are confirmed by Ryan/Kim/LA Times. I was standing almost shoulder-to-shoulder with them when Branca and McMillan stood shoulder to shoulder outside the courthouse. Jacksons’s chief concern Debbie Rowe: family advisors, public statements, court documents. Klein named (for the second time) as father of Prince and Paris: Us; the headline had to do with the denial by Klein that morning on Good Morning America (also below); Klein’s quotes: via Larry King. Mark Lester claims/possible father of Paris: London tabloid interviews (see Chapter 3 notes); Tito and Jermaine answer: “Jackson family anger,” “Michael Jackson was confronted.” Geller quotes here: same articles. Leo Terrell’s observations and quotes, biology as trump: Terrell. Debbie Rowe July 2 interviews with KNBC and Us: see below; all quotes as attributed. Faye/Bush preparing MJ for viewing at Forest Lawn: “Michael Jackson’s Inner Circle Addresses Rumors”/ABC.
Michael Jackson memorial event at the Staples Center, kindly arranged by Claire Hoffman, but ended up giving it away to an imploring mixed-race woman who had flown all the way from London. Only later did it occur to me that without something that identified her as me she probably wouldn’t get in. So I watched it on television, just like the billion other people who tuned in, and my observations are based on that perspective. Ehrlich/Ortega putting memorial together: Gunderson/USA Today, LA Times. Number of tickets issued, concerns about impact on city, short-lived controversy over costs: LA Times July 4 through July 9. Jacksons’s debate over interment: family advisors/attorneys, Tohme. Report MJ had wanted to be frozen (not true, insofar as I know) and would now be made into a Body World display (not true either, obviously): see Daily Mail below. I have a copy of MJ’s death certificate. Coroner’s investigator/keeping brain: Snead/LA Times, later, Guardian. Public viewing of MJ’s body at Neverland (wrong again): Daily Mail. Fan vigil at Neverland, local concern: Bloomekatz/LA Times, Tohme. Interment debate, conversations with Barrack: Tohme. Work at Neverland, Barrack maneuvers: Siklos/Fortune (see Chapter 1 notes). I heard Katherine Jackson’s rather different point of view on it all later, from her advisors and attorneys, and I must admit that how she handled herself in this moment is what made me really start to admire Katherine. See also Ryan/Blankstein/LA Times (which had Taj Jackson input). “Jackson Four’s greatest performance”: Dileo to Daily Mail. MJ praying with Elvis statue: Geller. Russian fan: Novasti via WorldMeetsUS. Final say on MJ funeral and burial place: I heard about Mrs. Jackson’s point of view well after the event; also, Alexander/Time, which reported Randy Jackson’s role (though not how Randy looked in the eyes of the other Jacksons). Forest Lawn description: the Memorial Park’s own Web site, seeing— stars.com “Grand Mausoleum” page, plus Alexander, Manning, Dimond, Ditzien, Kreps, Burks blog. Branca’s permission to purchase Sanctuary of Ascension crypt/cost, etc.: KJ advisors, articles cited above. Same model casket as James Brown: KJ. Jacksons “bickering” about funeral date, MJ’s remains largely unattended: same sources mentioned previously.
KJ-Debbie Rowe custody deal: Schaffel, who helped broker it. Debbie hiring Eric George and what it likely meant: Leo Terrell, followed by other attorneys including Mesereau and later media reports. Schaffel may have overstated the importance of his role, but he was the one who first brought Katherine Jackson and Debbie Rowe together. That Marc was attempting to show people how useful he could be is an inference I drew based on conversations with him; he never said that explicitly. Schaffel-Debbie reconnecting: Schaffel, see also Reuters article on lawsuit against TMZ; King quote: court filing. Schaffel bringing Katherine and Debbie together: Schaffel, unchallenged by other sources, including Sandra Ribera. Hayvenhurst goings-on: Schaffel, other sources; he was the only one who didn’t ask not to be quoted by name. What Marc was telling me was almost exactly what I was hearing from the others, except that they thought they knew a lot more about what was going on than he did. The other advisors may not like it, but Katherine has confided a good deal to Schaffel and Mann. The advisor I quoted anonymously wasn’t Mann. Re. the source I quoted referring to Rebbie’s husband as a “deadbeat”: I’m not calling him that. Nathaniel Brown has supported his family by working as, among other things, a letter carrier; by all accounts he is a decent, hardworking man, just one that doesn’t have a great deal of money. Children dealing with new situation: via KJ advisors/attorneys, “Michael’s Last Wish”/People. Jacksons keeping Grace close: an inference based on what I was told by multiple sources; as noted, Schaffel had another view. He was involved in opening the line of communication between Grace and Katherine, but I don’t think he was quite as critical as in the link between Katherine and Debbie Rowe. Living conditions at Hayvenhurst: sources who were regular visitors to the house/KJ confidants, Children’s Services report prepared after the stun gun incident. Alejandra’s kids referring to Jermaine as “Uncle Daddy”: KJ advisor close to Jackson family for many years. Again, Schaffel is the one quoted most often about the situation in the house, and about Alejandra, because he was the only one who never asked me not to use his name. Rumors about Donte and Omer: KJ advisors, also British tabloids including the Sun. Alejandra Oaziaza: sources associated with KJ/Hayvenhurst household; I also drew on information contained in a lengthy letter about Alejandra published by TMZ and attributed to a “Jackson insider.” I’m pretty sure I know who that person is and I’m very sure that person would be in a position to know just about everything there is to know about Alejandra and her dealings with the Jackson family. That letter has since been posted on desireespeakssolisten.blogspot.com (cited earlier), where it can still be found. I verified with at least one of my own sources whatever information I drew from it. Schaffel/Tohme quotes: Schaffel, Tohme. Reasons for delaying MJ’s funeral: confidential sources; the timing speaks for itself. Ken Sunshine nonexplanation: “Jacksons Postpone Michael’s Burial Again”/Associated Press; Joe Jackson: to TMZ; Jacksons’ other obligations: Yahoo, manhattanlivingmag.com. Funeral: I happened to be in LA and observed the scene from a distance; also, Time magazine, Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail, MTV, Friedman, “Gloves Off on Cost”/LA Times, two sources who attended. Lisa Marie’s last conversation with MJ: to Oprah 2010; sunflower request/ sunflowerguy.com donation: TMZ, X17.com. David Rothenberg: Larry King Live (9/3 Special Edition); I was told by someone who was there that Rothenberg spoke almost exactly the same words at the funeral. I knew his story well because I was a newspaper columnist in Los Angeles when that particular horror was perpetrated. Jacksons purchasing other burial spots: “Gloves Off”/LA Times, confirmed by a source I trust later.
Coroner’s homicide ruling: The Smoking Gun, which effectively jumped the story three days earlier via affidavit executed by Orlando Martinez; also, “Ruled a Homicide”/New York Times and LA Times. Chief Bratton’s early remarks/homicide investigation: Bone/Times. Murder charges unlikely: Leonard/Ryan/LA Times 7/19/09. Involvement of agencies including DEA: Natalie Finn/E!Online July 2, 2009. Scope of investigation, five doctors: LA Times July 3 and July 4. Mickey Fine search warrant: review of document, which is inextricably linked to the investigation of Dr. Klein. Vials and packages from MJ’s bedroom: “Medication Removed”/ABC. Ed Winter affidavit/Klein: “Evidence Piling Up”/Fox News, People, CNN; Winter’s second visit: Radar Online. Execution of the search warrant at Mickey Fine’s: TMZ. Winter quotes: Seal, Vanity Fair. Klein media offensive: Good Morning America, Larry King Live; quotes: GMA. One of a dozen doctors: LA Times July 4 (five doctors), the Times of London July 5 thirty people being examined, LA Times July 17; names of doctors being looked at by investigators emerged slowly over time, in connection to Murray case and state medical board probe. Dr. Tadrissi first named, Dr. Adams’s records subpoenaed: August 24 “Lethal levels”/ LA Times. Dr. Adams denied to the Las Vegas Review-Journal the allegation by Conrad Murray that Adams had administered propofol to MJ. Adams’s name was back in the news in May of 2011, when TMZ got hold of the summons issued by Murray’s attorneys that would force Adams to testify about the fact that he had, in fact, administered propofol to MJ. Adams did admit that he administered propofol, which was testified to by Det. Martinez at Murray trial. And an e-mail was introduced as evidence to show that Adams wanted to join “This Is It” tour as MJ’s resident anesthesiologist. Dr. Slavit’s only involvement in the case was the physical he gave MJ in early 2009 for his insurance policy. Winter visiting Dr. Koplin: TMZ July 29, 2009; newspapers next day. Randy Rosen: TMZ July 23, 2009. Dr. Metzger read the writing on the wall and sending forth his attorney Braun to tell the media about MJ’s attempt to get propofol from him in the spring of 2009; see Nancy Grace report. Dr. Farschian: Waxman/“5 Doctors”; the first significant reporting to implicate Farschian was his letter to MJ about Buprinex being better than Demerol: Miami New Times blog; first suggestion Farschian was a target of investigation: Posner/“Jackson and the ‘Pill Mills’” (see Chapter 12 notes); Fox News four days later. It would be revealed eventually that a number of MJ’s former bodyguards were talking to investigators about Farschian overprescribing drugs, in particular Demerol, to MJ. I was hearing about it from Schaffel and Wiesner, among others. Dr. Aksenoff refusing requests for stimulants: Japan Times. Deepak Chopra: to Gerald Posner. MJ drug aliases: Winter warrant, which hit media June 30, 2009; see Guardian below. Joey Jeszeck and others targeted as witnesses in 2009 investigation: confidential source who has access to the records of the investigation; see also Posner (see Chapter 12 notes). LAPD announcement referring case to district attorney/timing with coroner ruling death a homicide: Reuters. Prior drug use mitigating at best, potential chain of custody issues: confidential source cited above. MJ computer was missing: Tohme, confirmed later by my confidential source. Murray’s address to Galilee church: click2houston.com. Chernoff’s statement: “Feds Raid”/Nightline. Official charges: CNN February 8; Fox News had reported August 19 that Murray would be charged with manslaughter within two weeks, among other media speculation. Not guilty plea, preliminary hearing: Blas/USA Today.
Jacksons’ “foul play” allegations (see Chapter 25 notes); Tohme eliminated as target, realization Murray would likely be unable to pay: confidential inside sources; process by which Joe (“Michael was driven hard”) and La Toya made their case in the media, and were joined by Jermaine: “The Michael Jackson Conspiracy”/Tru TV. La Toya quoting Paris/“working him”: to Britain’s Channel 4 via Daily Telegraph. Eventually, of course, the Jackson’s arrived at the realization that AEG was the only really viable target. I don’t mean to suggest that Katherine Jackson’s lawsuit against AEG isn’t valid—the more I’ve learned about it the more I think there is a case to answer. Basic outline of claim eventually filed against AEG: “Michael Jackson Overexerted Himself ”/ABC. Evolution of AEG self-presentation/portrayal of in media: see LA Times online June 25 (“in the lurch”), “counts cost” /the Times of London June 26; full refunds to ticket holders June 29: Daily Mail, LA Times; “Jackson death may prove boon” July 3 Lee; souvenir ticket: digitalspy.com July 3; “Promoter’s Show Must Go On”/Billboard July 11. Lee’s article was the first to report that between sales of the souvenir tickets, insurance claims and the sale of the “This Is It” rehearsal footage AEG could actually profit. Sony/$50 million for footage/possible televised tribute: Lee July 20, see also Denver Business Journal. Again, though, Yazmeen’s reporting was the best in terms of the background on the AllGood situation and the truth about how Frank Dileo had positioned himself (and been positioned later by the estate). I give Dennis Hawk credit for telling me months in advance that the AllGood lawsuit would be dismissed, and on exactly what grounds; he was right on every point. The contrast of Hollyscoop’s “Michael Jackson Estate Hit” article announcing the lawsuit and the headline on the Associated Press article reporting the suit’s dismissal demonstrate how effective the estate was in framing this as a personal attack on MJ. Randy Phillips/“corporate villains”: Siklos/Fortune (see Chapter 1 notes). “I saw a guy”: Dileo in “Final Days Timeline”/ abcnews.go.com. “Couldn’t wait to get to London,” “accident”: Ortega to Lang/The Wrap. “I don’t think everybody contributed”: Ortega to McLean/the Times of London.
I’m sure AEG had good reasons other than securing his support for hiring Ortega as the director of the This Is It film, but I don’t think anybody close to the situation doubts this was a consideration. “Surprisingly spry”: Lang. Wiesner/Tohme quotes: Wiesner, Tohme. Tohme attitude toward Jacksons, estate, Dileo: Tohme. Dileo at Beverly Hilton for most of the first two years after MJ’s death: multiple sources, including Friedman; estate paying for it: Tohme, Mann (who had several conversations with Dileo while both staying there), numerous confidential sources; the estate’s own accounting shows payments to Dileo for services and to cover his expenses, but is no more specific than that. Phillips supporting story that Dileo was MJ’s manager: Tohme inference from This Is It credits and other things he was learning. AEG office, company car to Grammys: Tohme, confidential sources. I was told by an editor at Rolling Stone that Phillips referred to Tohme as MJ’s manager when interviewed for both the May 24 and June 29 stories. It’s clear from the Knopper article that the magazine—or at least the writer—understood that Tohme was MJ’s manager right up to his death. Phillips sending Tohme to address media on day of MJ’s death as MJ’s manager: video footage; Ron Williams also told me that the AEG execs told him Tohme was MJ’s manager. When I asked about all of this almost two years later, though, Phillips wouldn’t talk about it, except for “There was a great deal of confusion”: Phillips e-mail to me.
COURT FILES
Criminal
LASC SA073164.
Criminal Investigation
USDC-CA 09MJ1897.
Civil
BP 117321 (Los Angeles Superior Court) “Petition for Letters of Special Administration” submitted by John Branca and John McClain, July 1, 2009.
BP 117321 (Los Angeles Superior Court) “Ex Parte Application to Vacate the Court’s Order Appointing Katherine Jackson as Special Administrator” submitted by John Branca and John McClain, July 1, 2009.
BP 117321 “Opposition to (1) the Branca and Mclain Petition for Letters of Administration, and (2) Motion to Vacate the Order Appointing her as Special Administrator” submitted by Katherine Jackson, July 1, 2009.
BP 117321 (Los Angeles Superior Court) Joseph Jackson’s Objection to Appointment of John Branca and John McClain as Executors of the Estate of Michael Jackson, November 9, 2009 (hereafter cited as LASC BP 117321 11/9/09).
LASC BC445597.
2:11-ap-02407-RN 6/27/11.
2:11-ap-02407-RN 8/3/11.
DOCUMENTS
Autopsy 6/25/09.
Certificate of Death, 7/7/09.
State of California, County of Los Angeles, “Search Warrant and Affadavit (Det. Orlando Martinez).” August 24, 2009.
Phillips to Sullivan, 4/4/11.
WILL AND TRUST
Arango, Tim, and Ben Sisario. “Despite a Will, Jackson Left a Tangled Estate.” New York Times, July 6, 2009.
Bronstad, Amanda. “Lawyers Abound at Probate Hearing on Michael Jackson’s Estate.” law.com, July 8, 2009 (I).
Deutsch, Linda. “Jackson Had Long History with Estate Administrator.” Associated Press, August 14, 2009.
“Executors Named by Michael Jackson File Last Will in Los Angeles County Superior Court.” July 1, 2009. (Sitrick and Co. attachment to will) (PR).
Garber, Julie. “Michael Jackson’s Will vs. the Michael Jackson Family Trust.” about.com, July 6, 2009 (I).
Gardner, David. “Will Diana Ross Care for Michael Jackson’s Three Children?” Daily Mail, July 2, 2009.
“Howard Weitzman.” kwikalaw.com (PR).
“John McClain Interscope!” lalate.com, July 1, 2009 (I) (hereafter cited as “McClain Interscope”).
Mayoras, Danielle, and Andrew Mayoras. “The Crazy Claims of the Michael Jackson Estate.” probatelawyerblog.com, April 18, 2010 (I) (hereafter cited as Mayoras, “Estate Deal”).
——— and ———. “Katherine Jackson’s Shocking Change of Heart.” probatelawyerblog.com, November 12, 2009 (I) (hereafter cited as Mayoras and Mayoras, “Change of Heart”).
——— and ———. “Michael Jackson’s Estate Teaches Important Planning Lessons.” trialandheirs, April 26, 2011 (I) (hereafter cited as Mayoras and Mayoras, “Planning Lessons”).
——— and ———. “Michael Jackson’s Mother Won’t Administer His Estate.” probatelawyerblog.com, July 7, 2009 (I).
——— and ———. “New Evidence Coming in the Michael Jackson Estate Case.” trialandheirs.com, October 26, 2009 (I) (hereafter cited as Mayoras and Mayoras, “New Evidence”).
——— and ———. “New Jackson Estate Deal Reported.” probatelawyerblog.com, November 23, 2009 (I) (hereafter cited as Mayoras and Mayoras, “Estate Deal”).
McCartney, Anthony. “Michael Jackson’s Will Cuts Out Ex-Wife Deborah Rowe.” Associated Press, July 1, 2009.
Nolan, Hamilton. “Mike Sitrick: Ninja Master of the Dark Art of Spin.” Gawker.com, July 9, 2008 (I).
Ryan, Harriet. “Michael Jackson Will Surfaces.” Los Angeles Times, July 1, 2009.
Ryan, Harriet, and Victoria Kim. “Michael Jackson Estate: Mother Loses Control, but Retains a Say in Major Decisions.” Los Angeles Times, July 7, 2009.
CUSTODY/DEBBIE ROWE/ARNOLD KLEIN
“Arnold Klein: Not Michael Jackson Sperm Donor ‘to the Best of My Knowledge.’” Us Weekly, July 8, 2009.
“Debbie Rowe Breaks Her Silence: ‘I Want My Children.’” Us, July 2, 2009.
Fricker.
Gardner, Eriq. “TMZ Sued over Leaked Debbie Rowe Interview.” Reuters, February 3, 2010.
Henry, Chuck. “Jackson’s Ex Rowe Says, ‘I Want My Children.’” KNBC (Los Angeles), July 2, 2009 (RT).
King, “Klein.”
Sawyer, Diane. “Michael Jackson’s Doctor Says He’s Not the Father of Jackson’s Kids.” ABC/Good Morning America, July 8, 2009 (RT).
Thomas, Liz. “Jackson Family Anger as Oliver! Star Lester Claims, ‘I’m the Daddy.’” Daily Mail, August 10, 2009.
MICHAEL’S CHILDREN/HAYVENHURST DRAMA
Samson, Pete. “Is This Secret Son of Jacko?” Sun, July 16, 2010.
Tresniowski, Alex, and Rennie Dyball. “Michael’s Last Wish.” People, August 17, 2009 (hereafter cited as Tresniowski and Dyball).
ESTATE/FINANCES
Adams, Tim. “Michael Jackson: Now for the Encore.” Guardian, October 4, 2009.
Boyle, Catherine. “Michael Jackson’s Post-Death Music Sales Outstrip Elvis and John Lennon.” Times, July 1, 2009.
“Gest to Sue over Jackson Auction Row.” Contactmusic.com, June 29, 2009 (I).
Greenburg, Zach O’Malley. “Michael Jackson: Secret Business Genius?” Forbes, January 25, 2011.
“Judge Dismisses Promoters’ Lawsuit Against Michael Jackson.” Associated Press, August 19, 2009.
Keep, David A. “Celebrity Deaths Can Send Collectibles Prices Soaring.” Los Angeles Times, June 27, 2009.
Knopper, Steve. “Michael Jackson’s Legacy Includes Tangled Financial Web.” Rollingstone.com, June 29, 2009 (I).
Lang, Brent. “Ortega: Jackson Planned 3D ‘Thriller’ Feature Film.” Thewrap.com, (I).
McLean, “Ortega.”
“Michael Jackson Estate Hit with $300 Million Lawsuit.” hollyscoop.com, October 17, 2009 (I).
“Neverland on the Block: Inside the Michael Jackson Auction.” Rollingstone.com, May 24, 2009 (I).
Sisario, “In Death.”
Whitcraft, Teri, Kristin Pisarcik, and Kimberly Brown. “Timeline: Michael Jackson’s Final Days.” abcnews.go.com, June 23, 2010 (I).
Yazmeen. “Dileo.”
———. “Allocco.”
MEMORIAL/BURIAL/NEVERLAND
Alexander, Bryan. “Jackson’s Funeral: Family and Friends Say Goodbye.” Time, September 4, 2009.
———. “Picking Jackson’s Burial Place: Security Was Key.” Time, September 3, 2009.
Bloomekatz, Ari B. “Michael Jackson Fans Stick It Out at Neverland Ranch.” Los Angeles Times, July 4, 2009.
Burks, Lisa. “Sleeping in Beauty—Rest in Peace, Michael Jackson.” typepad.com, September, 2009 (I).
Coleman, Mark. “Michael Jackson Finally Laid to Rest in Los Angeles.” Daily Telegraph, September 4, 2009.
Collins, Scott. “Jackson Memorial Seen as a Landmark.” Los Angeles Times, July 9, 2009.
Diaz, Joseph. “Michael Jackson’s Inner Circle Addresses Rumors.” ABC, June 25, 2010 (RT).
Dillon, Nancy, and Corky Siemaszko. “Michael Jackson’s Mother Katherine Doesn’t Want Jackson Buried at Neverland.” New York Daily News, July 8, 2009.
DiMassa, Cara Mia, Richard Winton, and David Zahniser. “L.A. Aims to Limit Jackson Crowd.” Los Angeles Times, July 4, 2009.
Dimond, Diane. “Michael’s Foreverland.” Daily Beast, August 31, 2009 (I).
Ditzian, Eric. “Michael Jackson’s Burial: Details on Forest Lawn Mausoleum.” mtv.com, September 4, 2009 (I).
“Florist Donates $5,000 Worth of Sunflowers to Michael.” X17.com, May 15, 2010.
Friedman, Roger. “Jackson Funeral Travesty: Ex-Con 1st Speaker.” Showbiz411.com, September 4, 2009 (I).
Graham, Caroline, and Daniel Boffey. “Jackson Family Fallout: Exclusive Interview with Manager Reveals Rift over Funeral.” Daily Mail, July 5, 2009.
“The Great Mausoleum—Forest Lawn.” seeing—stars.com (I).
Gundersen, Edna. “The Man Behind the Jackson Tribute.” USA Today, July 9, 2009.
“Jacksons Postpone Michael’s Burial Again.” Associated Press, August 21, 2009.
Kaufman, Gil. “Michael Jackson’s Kids Lay Golden Crown on His Casket at Funeral.” mtv.com, September 4, 2009 (I).
King, Larry. “Special Edition: Michael Jackson’s Funeral.” CNN, September 3, 2009 (RT).
Kreps, Daniel. “Michael Jackson Burial Scheduled for August 29 at Forest Lawn.” Rollingstone.com, August 18, 2009 (I).
“Lisa Marie Presley Wants Flowers at Michael Jackson Tomb.” TMZ, May 12, 2010.
“Long Live the King! A Birthday Celebration for Michael Jackson.” manhattanlivingmag.com, July 29, 2009 (I).
Manning, Sue. “Michael Jackson’s Resting Place Among Greats: Forest Lawn Glendale.” Associated Press, September 4, 2009.
“Michael Jackson’s Body ‘Will Have Public Viewing at Neverland Ranch Before Funeral on Sunday.’” Daily Mail, June 30, 2009.
“Michael Jackson’s Burial Postponed, Daddy Says.” TMZ, August 20, 2009 (I).
“Michael Jackson Set to Be Embalmed at the O2 Centre After Missing the Deadline for Cryogenic Freezing.” Daily Mail, June 26, 2009.
“Michael Jackson’s 51st Birthday Celebrations.” yahoo.com, August 29, 2009 (I).
Reston, Maeve, and Ari B. Bloomekatz. “Gloves Off on Cost of Jackson Rite.” Los Angeles Times, July 9, 2009.
Sheridan, Emily. “Exhausted and Emotional: Michael Jackson’s Children Sleep After Saying Goodbye to Their Father at Funeral Service.” Daily Mail, September 5, 2009.
Oprah. “Lisa Marie Presley.”
WIKIPEDIA
“Forest Lawn Memorial Park.”
RELIGION AND SPIRITUALITY
Blinova, Yekaterina. “Russian Fans of Michael Jackson Still Devastated.” WorldMeetsUs.com, June 28, 2009 (I).
Carr, Firpo. “‘Saint’ Michael (Jackson)?” Los Angeles Sentinel, October 15, 2009.
DEATH INVESTIGATION/DRUGS/DOCTORS
“Anesthesiologist’s Records Taken by Coroner.” TMZ, July 23, 2009.
Blas, Lorena. “Michael Jackson Doctor Pleads Not Guilty to Manslaughter.” USA Today, February 8, 2010.
Bone, James. “Jackson Death May Have Been ‘Homicide,’ Says Police Chief.” Times, July 10, 2009.
“Coroner’s Office Investigators Are Back at Dr. Arnie Klein’s Office.” radaronline.com, August 19, 2009 (I).
“Coroner Visits Another Beverly Hills Doc.” TMZ, July 29, 2009 (I).
“DEA Raids Mickey Fine Pharmacy.” TMZ, August 21, 2009 (I).
“Doctor Who Gave Michael Jackson Propofol in Las Vegas Forced to Testify for Dr. Conrad Murray in Manslaughter Case.” TMZ, May 12, 2011 (I).
“Dr. Conrad Murray Visits Church.” click2houston.com, November 22, 2009 (I).
Duke, Alan. “Investigator Visits Jackson Dermatologist Office.” CNN, July 14, 2009 (I).
“Feds Raid Michael Jackson’s Doctor Conrad Murray’s Home and Office.” Nightline, ABC, July 28, 2009 (RT).
Finn, Natalie. “Jackson Doc on the Move Again as Investigation Continues with State Attorney, DEA’s Help.” E!Online, July 2, 2009 (I).
Fisher, Luchina, and Russell Goldman. “Medication Removed from Michael Jackson’s House as Part of Coroner’s Investigation.” abcnews.go.com, June 29, 2009 (I).
Glover, Scott, Rong-Gong Lin II, Cara Mia DiMassa, Andrew Blankstein, and Kimi Yoshino. “Michael Jackson Investigation Focuses on Doctors.” Los Angeles Times, July 4, 2009.
Grace, Nancy. “Another Doctor Says Jackson Asked for Propofol.” CNN, July 31. (RT).
King, “Klein.”
Leonard, Jack, and Harriet Ryan. “Murder Charges in Michael Jackson Case Are Unlikely, Source Says.” Los Angeles Times, July 19, 2009.
“‘Lethal Levels’ of Drug Killed Jackson.” Smoking Gun, August 24, 2009 (I).
Matsutani, Minoru. “Tokyo Doctor Refused Jackson Stimulants: Late ‘King of Pop’ Asked for Drugs in 2007.” Japan Times, July 16, 2009.
Meyer, Josh, and Andrew Blankstein. “LAPD Seeks DEA’s Expertise for the Investigation.” Los Angeles Times, July 3, 2009.
Michaels, Sean. “Michael Jackson Aliases Revealed.” Guardian, June 30, 2009.
Moore, Solomon. “Jackson’s Death Ruled a Homicide.” New York Times, August 28, 2009.
Mower, Lawrence. “Anesthesiologist Calls Murray’s Statements False.” Las Vegas Review-Journal, August 27, 2009.
Munzenrieder.
“Police Target 30 in Hunt for Michael Jackson’s Drug Suppliers.” Sunday Times, July 5, 2009.
Posner, Gerald. “Deepak Chopra: How Michael Jackson Could Have Been Saved.” Daily Beast, July 2, 2009 (I).
Ryan, Harriet, and Kimi Yoshino. “Investigators Target Michael Jackson’s Pseudonyms.” Los Angeles Times, July 17, 2009.
Sawyer, Diane. “Michael Jackson’s Doctor Arnold Klein Denies Dangerous Drugs.” ABC/Good Morning America, July 8, 2009 (RT).
Seal, “Doctor Will Sue.”
Snead, “What Killed Michael Jackson?”
“Source: Michael Jackson’s Doctor to Be Charged with Manslaughter.” Fox News, August 19, 2009 (I).
Tauber, Michelle. “Evidence Piling Up Against Michael Jackson’s Dermatologist.” People, August 28, 2009.
Tourtellotte, Bob. “Jackson Death Ruled Homicide, Focus on Doctor.” Reuters, August 28, 2009.
Waxman, “Doctors.”
Winter, Jana. “At Least Nine Doctors Who Treated Michael Jackson Under Investigation.” foxnews.com, July 15, 2009 (I).
———. “Evidence Is Piling Up Against Dermatologist to the Stars in Jackson Death.” Fox News, August 27, 2009 (I).
Winton, Richard, and Harriet Ryan. “Jackson’s Death Ruled a Homicide.” Los Angeles Times, August 28, 2009.
Yoshino, Kimi, and Andrew Blankstein. “‘Lethal Levels’ of Anesthetic Propofol Killed Michael Jackson.” Los Angeles Times, August 24, 2009.
JOE AND LA TOYA LEAD THE CHARGE
“Michael Jackson ‘Was Worked Too Hard’ Claims Daughter.” Daily Telegraph, October 1, 2009.
Quinn, Delores. “The Michael Jackson Conspiracy: His Relatives Suspect Foul Play.” trutv.com (I).
AEG
Connelly, Chris, and Lauren Sher. “ Michael Jackson Overexerted Himself in Tour Rehearsal, Insiders Say.” ABC, July 2, 2009 (I).
Flint, Joe. “Michael Jackson’s Death Leaves AEG in the Lurch.” LATimes.com, June 25, 2009 (I).
Gordon, Sarah. “Michael Jackson Fans Will Get Refund from Tour Operators.” Daily Mail, June 30, 2009.
Harden, Mark. “Michael Jackson’s Death Ends London Comeback Concert Series by Anschutz’s AEG.” Denver Business Journal, September 26, 2009.
Lee, Chris. “Jackson Death May Prove a Boon to AEG.” Los Angeles Times, July 3, 2009.
———. “Michael Jackson Rehearsal Footage Draws Bids.” Los Angeles Times, July 20, 2009.
“Michael Jackson Concert Promoter AEG to Refund Tickets.” LATimes.com, June 29, 2009 (I).
Parks, Tim. “AEG to Release Jackson Memorial Ticket.” Digitalspy.com, July 3, 2009 (I).
Sherwin, Adam. “O2 Arena Counts Cost as Curtain Closes on the Greatest Show of All.” Times, June 26, 2009.
Waddell, Ray. “Promoter’s Show Must Go On.” Billboard, July 11, 2009.
CHAPTER 27
I know a great deal about the schemes, agendas, and conflicts of the Jackson family—more, I’d dare to assert, than anyone in the media does—based on my access to the advisors and attorneys who have been most involved in sorting it all out. None of them wants to be on the record (well, Howard Mann and Marc Schaffel may be exceptions) so I won’t be making attributions by name. I will, though, note public record evidence for some of what I’m describing. Randy Jackson (along with Joe) leading family opposition to Branca (past and present): my sources; the estate knows it as well, as is demonstrated by the tape-recording of a phone conversation between Joel Katz, Henry Vaccaro, and Vaccaro’s attorney that came into my possession (cited below), on which, among many other things, Katz says Randy and Joe are the ones making it difficult for the estate’s attorneys. Mainly, though, I trust my sources.
I’ve spoken to or heard from the attorneys who have advised the Jacksons, from a number of attorneys who represented MJ in the last years of his life, and from a number who have simply been observing or commenting upon the controversies that have been raised about the will, the trust, and the estate. The Mayorases have been most critical of Branca for allowing his own law firm to prepare a will that named him as executor, and have done this publicly, most adamantly in the interviews they gave Howard Mann for Stealing Michael Jackson. Other attorneys who have or are representing MJ and his mother wagged their fingers at this, but described it only as questionable, not as illegal or even as unethical. Criticism of the quality of the will and the trust documents was something I heard from every attorney I spoke to about them, and breach of fiduciary duty was the basis for a complaint in this regard that one after another mentioned. All agreed, though, that this would be a difficult case to make on its own. The Mayorases were fairly outspoken in pointing out the difference in the dates on the will and trust documents, but other attorneys said it was unusual but not extremely unusual and would not be a significant legal issue unless it was part of some larger picture. That MJ’s children are not identified by their legal names is something that clearly aroused the suspicions of the Jackson family and it’s something that has bothered attorneys who have given the Jacksons counsel. Sandy Ribera went to pains to make me aware of the children’s legal names and I have a copy of Paris’s birth certificate. Joe’s quote: interview for Stealing Michael Jackson.
I don’t purport to be a legal arbiter, though I clearly see the validity of some of the arguments put forward—Branca’s failure to return the will when he was “commanded” to by MJ being the most glaring. I have a copy of the letter in which MJ issued that command and every attorney I spoke to agreed that unless there is an explanation they don’t know about, this is something that could result in Branca facing discipline from the State Bar. LeGrand getting documents from Branca: LeGrand testimony/People v. Jackson; Oxman searching through documents and not finding will: interview for Stealing Michael Jackson. Randy demanding documents from Branca, in particular the will: Randy Jackson sworn statement in Oxman/Joe Jackson filing objecting to the appointment of Branca and McClain as executors; all attorneys I spoke to agreed that Branca should also have returned the will then, if that was true. Oxman suspended from State Bar twice: Oxman disbarment ruling. Oxman appetite for face time on TV: “Media Frenzy Faulted”/LA Times, multiple other sources including Mesereau; Mesereau does acknowledge Oxman’s intelligence, research, and writing abilities. Oxman and Randy hiring private investigators: some of sources above. Family meetings, discussions, and decision to investigate/hiring PIs: Rowe, presumably via Joe Jackson/possibly KJ, to Radar Online; Rowe’s attempt to portray himself as a central figure was scoffed at by my sources. PI findings re. MJ in New York July 6–10, 2002: claims in Joe Jackson filing against Branca/McClain; it cannot have taken much investigating, see New York Times on Sony drama July 7, 8, and 10 (Chapter 1), though it is striking that there were pictures of MJ on July 6, 8, and 9, but not on July 7. Marc Schaffel was with MJ on that trip and was one of two people who told me MJ spent July 7 holed up in his hotel room. Though it certainly seems unlikely, the possibility that MJ got aboard a private jet and flew back to LA to sign the will can’t be entirely dismissed. What’s odd, though, if this is the case, is that Branca and the estate haven’t simply said so and killed the entire controversy over the date on the will in a single stroke. TMZ was the first to report on this issue in an October 21, 2009, story that quoted Al Sharpton’s spokeswoman as saying, “We have reason to believe that Michael may have been in New York on July 7 and Reverend Sharpton will address this after he discusses it with the Jackson family.” One of Mrs. Jackson’s advisors told me Sharpton signed a sworn statement that MJ had been at a meeting with him on the afternoon of July 7, but another said Sharpton was talking about a meeting on July 6.
Interfor report quotes: from document. What Oxman believed was important and not about the document: clear from filing against Branca and McClain. The only one of the Jacksons I’ve personally heard speak about MJ’s excoriation of Branca is Katherine, though I’ve seen Joe on videotape doing so; one attorney or associate after another who was involved with MJ during the last six years of his life. It was only when Howard Weitzman produced a witness to the meeting between MJ and Branca, and then arranged a phone conversation with Joel Katz, who said he had spoken with MJ about that meeting afterward, that I concluded the meeting had taken place and that Branca likely had been hired as one of MJ’s entertainment attorneys a week before MJ’s death.
Up until the time that this book went into production, my attempts to elicit answers from John Branca about MJ’s will and trust agreement, and about his relationship with MJ, have all been ignored. Other than the long and threatening March 31, 2011, letter from Howard Weitzman that denounced Tohme and Mann, my only communications with the estate were through e-mails exchanged with Mike Sitrick. I repeatedly offered Branca the opportunity to address the questions that have arisen about his position and performance as the executor of Michael Jackson’s estate, and he declined. Howard Weitzman made a number of phone calls to various sources—Tohme, Dennis Hawk, and Tom Mesereau, among others—demanding to know if they are speaking to me (and implicitly discouraging them from doing so), but did not communicate with me personally until late August 2012.
Even after my conversations with Weitzman, John Branca, to my knowledge, has not answered a single challenging question about Michael Jackson’s will being prepared by his law firm or how it is that Branca retained the original of the will after he was fired as Michael’s attorney and received a command to return all documents. Branca also refuses to answer questions about the time, location, and circumstances under which Michael Jackson signed the will that was submitted to Judge Beckloff on July 1, 2009. Sitrick and Weitzman have attempted to suggest (to me and others) that all of those questions were settled when the court rejected the claims made in Joe Jackson’s lawsuit against the estate. In fact, the court did not reject those claims. What it rejected was Joe Jackson’s standing to make such claims, since he is not a named beneficiary of the estate. If Katherine Jackson had filed the same lawsuit, those claims almost certainly would have been heard by the court and Branca would have been compelled to answer. To date, he never has been.
Allegations against Branca (and Mottola) made in the Interfor report are cited not because I know or even believe them to be true but because they clearly influenced MJ and were a significant part of what soured his relationship with Branca. When Tom Mesereau questioned David LeGrand at the criminal trial in Santa Maria, LeGrand testified that he didn’t have any independent knowledge that the claims made about Branca in the Interfor report were accurate. I don’t know whether MJ himself had independent information that backed up the Interfor accusations, or whether he simply embraced them because they fit with what he already believed, but the latter possibility seems most likely.
I’m not personally accusing Branca of anything. I’m merely stating that there are legitimate questions surrounding his position as executor of the Michael Jackson estate and that he has refused to publicly address them.
Internal divisions among Jacksons/how Branca exploited them: mostly but not entirely from confidential sources. Estate attitude to Randy Jackson: Katz in tape recorded conversation with Vaccaro; Howard Weitzman said pretty much the same thing, in even stronger language, when I spoke to him on the telephone. My sources have described Randy in much the same way that Katz and Weitzman, and have said other Jacksons call him “Joe Jr.” behind his back. MJ accusing Randy of stealing: MJ deposition wording/Prescient case could be and was construed that way in media; note Contact Music headline below; it’s also true, though, that a 2007 press release (Bain on MJ’s behalf, posted on “Friends of Randy Jackson”/Facebook) denied he had ever accused Randy of this, see also starpulse.com. Jackson family awareness that MJ accused Randy of stealing from him: my sources; Tohme also told me that MJ warned him that Randy was the member of his family he most had to watch out for, and that MJ said Randy had stolen from him in large ways and small, and that MJ was especially upset about an expensive watch he claimed Randy had stolen. I have no certain knowledge of whether Randy stole from MJ or not, but I am convinced that MJ told people he had, the 2007 press release notwithstanding. I’ve offered Randy the opportunity to respond to the stories told about him, including claims about what took place when he tried to get a meeting with MJ in Las Vegas in 2007. Matt Fiddes, who perhaps had a longer relationship with MJ than anyone who had worked security for him since Bill Bray, told Britain’s Sun that MJ ordered his security guards to shoot Randy (see the TMZ story about that below). Randy denied that happened, but not to me. Through Taunya Zilkie, he declined the opportunity to discuss these matters with me.
Jermaine: sources cited above, observation of Jermaine’s public statements/behavior. Weakness for women, child support arrears: KJ advisor. Maldonado quotes: Friedman July 24, 2012. Estate offering to help Jermaine get a record contract at Universal: same source as child support issues, Katz (whose standing at Universal is equal to Branca’s at Sony) to Vaccaro. Offer to work in Cirque du Soleil, Jermaine joining pro-estate side (which he later abandoned): three separate sources. I have collapsed time here for purposes of narrative flow; the Cirque du Soleil opportunity came well after the Universal deal was proposed. Jackie-McClain relationship, past and present, arrangement with estate/T-shirt business: same sources. KJ-McClain relationship: same sources, KJ in my presence. Air purifier: a single source, but one who knows more about what goes on in the Jackson family than anyone who is not a member of it and most of those who are. KJ hiring Adam Streisand, KJ account of McMillan’s advice: KJ herself, her advisors, other attorneys. Streisand’s first hearing appearance, family push to challenge will/Branca as executor: Alan Duke/CNN October 22 and 23, 2009, from which quotes from October 22 hearing come; local TV stations/“new evidence” likely drew from this. Streisand questioning will but advising not to challenge: KJ (Streisand never expressed those doubts to me); all of Mrs. Jackson’s main advisors say that she reported at the time that Streisand had made these statements. Taj Jackson as possible additional executor, Branca response, KJ attorney’s advice to distance herself from Joe, KJ decision to drop fight against estate: confidential sources (Taj Jackson part may have been reported). I also discussed these matters with Adam Streisand. “Worth more dead than alive”: Joe Jackson to Extra. Joe petition for an allowance: Ryan/November 7, 2009. Joe demand that Katherine weigh in on his behalf: through Oxman in open court, my sources. Streisand convincing Mrs. Jackson to drop objections and work with executors: explained in open court, and Streisand to me, KJ/her advisors. Events and all quotes at hearing of November 10, 2009: LA Times and CNN, other media who had reporters present. Executors’ filing for “extraordinary compensation”: review of document, TMZ (December 15 and 17, 2009). Weitzman presentation of request: public record. The probate case before Judge Beckloff is one court file I’ve broken into parts in my source list, separating out the various actions.
Raymone Bain claim against estate/outcome: Mesereau, TMZ April 19, 2010, “Raymone Bain’s Claim Denied” report on mjworld.net. AllGood lawsuit: Hawk, see also “AllGood Socks Jackson Estate Hard,” “It’s All Good For Michael Jackson”/TMZ. Weitzman arguments: open court. Audigier claim: public record. Eric Muhammad: “Bodyguard Tries To Sell Mask”/mjworld.net.
Sums paid to Weitzman’s law firms/others: estate’s accounting, which I’ve seen. Joe/“Jackson Family Project”: Judd/Glendale News-Press. Joe demand for MJ’s medical records, complaint against estate for failing to file: examiner.com January 1, 2010, public record, probate case court file. Oxman’s claim doctors detected MJ heartbeat at hospital, other quotes and claims in this regard: March 29, 2010, press conference, see Duke/CNN. Segye Times claim/KJ: court file, Friedman June 28, 2010; case/how dealt with by KJ/estate: confidential sources, and to some degree Perry Sanders, who eventually settled the matter on Mrs. Jackson’s behalf. Joe attempt to blame KJ for MJ’s death in News of the World, Streisand quote: New York Daily News, TMZ. Joe Jackson lawsuit against Murray on one-year anniversary: Associated Press, BBC. Jacksons pulling private security from MJ gravesite, Forest Lawn actions: Sydney Morning Herald, Friedman/“Michael Jackson Vultures”; graffiti on MJ’s tomb: National Ledger; June 25 scene: ABC story on the one-year anniversary. KJ filing against AEG: CNN, X17 stories; all quotations: verbatim from the filing. Brian Panish statement: see below. AEG response: Associated Press. Judge Palazuelos decision not to dismiss lawsuit, and comments on case: Julie Garber wills blog/about.com.
MJ post-death career success: Billboard June 21, 2010, also Tim Adams/Billboard. Reeder, Branca, and Sillerman quotes, growth of the estate in its first year (and all due credit to Branca): Sisario/New York Times. Tohme retort: Tohme.
COURT FILES
Civil
CV-09-07084 (United States District Court, Central District of California) John G. Branca, Special Administrator of the Estate of Michael J. Jackson; John McClain, Special Administrator of the Estate of Michael J. Jackson; and Triumph International Inc., a California Corporation v. Heal the World Foundation, et al., September 29, 2009 (hereafter cited as USDC-CA CU-09-07084).
LASC BP 117321 11/9/09.
BP 117 321 (Los Angeles Superior Court) Ex Parte Application for Order Shortening Time for Notice of Hearing on Petition for Order Allowing and Approving Payment of: 1) Extraordinary Compensation to Special Administrators and Attorneys for Special Administrators; 2) Reimbursement of Costs and Compensation to Guardian Ad Litem; Memorandum of Points and Authorities, December 15, 2009 (hereafter cited as LASC BP 117321 12/15/09).
CV 11-00584 DDP (United States District Court, Central District of California) John Branca and John McClain, Executors of the Estate of Michael J. Jackson v. Howard Mann, et al., January 20, 2011 (hereafter cited as USDC-CA CU 11-00584 DDP).
LASC BP117321 2/17/12.
DOCUMENTS
“Certificate of Live Birth,” Paris-Michael Katherine Jackson, State of California, County of Los Angeles, Department of Health Services. February 13, 1998 (hereafter cited as “Birth Certificate” 2/13/98).
“Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, Michael Joseph Jackson.” March 2, 2002 (hereafter cited as Declaration of Trust, 3/2/02).
“Last Will of Michael Joseph Jackson.” July 7, 2002 (hereafter cited as Last Will 7/7/02).
Branca to Jackson, 8/14/02.
Branca to Sony/ATV, 8/14/02.
Branca to Singer, 8/7/02.
Singer to Branca, 9/10/02.
Interfor Report on John Gregory Branca.
Jackson to Branca, 2/3/03.
“Discontinuence of Services.” Letter from Michael Jackson to Barry Siegel. February 4, 2003 (hereafter cited as Jackson to Siegel, 2/4/03).
“RE: Michael Jackson Insurance Trust, Michael Jackson Family Trust, Last Will of Michael Joseph Jackson.” Letter from Barry Siegel, CPA, to Michael Jackson, John G. Branca, Esq., and John McClain. August 26, 2003 (hereafter cited as Siegel to Jackson, Branca, and McClain, 8/26/03).
Branca 4/15/06.
Tape recording of phone conversation between Joel Katz (co–general counsel of Michael Jackson Estate) and Henry Vaccaro. August 2009 (hereafter cited as Katz and Vaccaro, 8/2009).
Weitzman to Sullivan and Entrekin, 3/31/11.
Durst to Reynolds, 4/3/11.
“FWD: Will and Trust.” E-mail sent from Howard Mann to Randall Sullivan. April 9, 2011 (hereafter cited as Mann to Sullivan, 4/19/11).
“FWD: New Video for Jackson Secret Vault About HTWF.” E-mail sent from Howard Mann to Randall Sullivan. April 9, 2011 (hereafter cited as Mann to Sullivan “Secret Vault,” 4/9/11).
“RE: Katherine Jackson.” E-mail from Adam Streisand to Randall Sullivan. June 27, 2011 (hereafter cited as Streisand to Sullivan, 6/27/11).
Williams to Sanders, 11/3/11.
Ribera to Sullivan, 11/9/11.
Ribera to Sullivan, 11/13/11.
YEAR ONE (BEFORE JUNE 25, 2010)
“AllGood Socks Jackson Estate Hard.” TMZ, October 16, 2009 (I).
“Bodyguard Tries to Sell Mask.” mjworld.net, November 29th 2009 (I).
Duke, Alan. “Attorney: Michael Jackson Had Heartbeat at Hospital.” CNN, March 29, 2010 (I).
———. “Jackson Family Lawyer Hints at ‘New Evidence’ in Battle for Estate.” CNN, October 23, 2009 (I).
———. “Katherine Jackson Replaces Lawyers in Estate Battle.” CNN, October 22, 2009 (I).
Fernandez and Collins.
Friedman, Roger. “Michael Jackson Estate Wouldn’t Pay Randy and Jermaine’s Owed Child Support.” Showbiz411.com, July 24, 2012 (I) (hereafter cited as Friedman. “Owed Child Support”).
———. “Michael Jackson: Moonies Want Millions from His Parent.” Showbiz411.com, June 28, 2010 (I).
Holson. “Bitter Attack.”
Holson and Holloway. “Sony and Its Star.”
“It’s All Good for Michael Jackson.” TMZ, August 19, 2010 (I).
“Jackson Executors—Beyond the Call of Duty.” TMZ, December 17, 2009 (I).
“Jackson’s Will—Randy Says Not MJ’s Signature.” TMZ, October 21, 2009 (I).
“Joe Jackson Blames Katherine for Michael’s Death.” TMZ, June 13, 2010 (I).
“Joe Jackson: Michael ‘Worth More Dead Than Alive.’” Extra, October 28, 2009 (RT).
Judd, Amy. “Gary, Indiana, Hosts Michael Jackson Tribute June 25, 2010.” Glendale News-Press, June 25, 2010 (hereafter cited as Judd, “Gary, Indiana”).
Kim, Victoria. “Michael Jackson’s Mother No Longer Objects to Estate Executors.” Los Angeles Times, November 10, 2009.
Lueck, Thomas J. “Record Industry Is Attacked by a Top Star.” New York Times, July 7, 2002.
Martin, Brandy. “Michael Jackson’s Dad Demands Medical Records.” examiner.com, January 1, 2010 (I).
Mayoras, Danielle, and Andrew Mayoras. “Crazy Claims.”
——— and ———. “Change of Heart.”
——— and ———. “Planning Lessons.”
——— and ———. “New Evidence.”
——— and ———. “Estate Deal.”
“McClain Interscope.”
“Michael Jackson Accuses His Brother of Stealing from Him.” Contact Music, June 18, 2007 (I).
“Michael Jackson Denies Stories About Illness and Brother Randy Stealing from Him.” starpulse.com, June 29, 2007 (I).
“Michael Jackson’s Executors—Pay Us Now!” TMZ, December 15, 2009 (I).
“Michael Jackson’s Will Fake, Says His Former Advisor.” Radar Online, June 21, 2010 (I).
“MJ Bodyguard Claims Singer Ordered Hit on Randy Jackson.” TMZ, May 8, 2012 (I).
“MJ Estate to Publicist: You’re Not Getting a Cent!” TMZ, April 19, 2010 (I).
“Raymone Bain’s Claim Denied.” mjworld.net, May 8, 2010 (I).
Roberts, Soraya. “Michael Jackson’s Father, Joe, Claims Wife, Katherine, Is to Blame for Their Son’s Death.” New York Daily News, June 14, 2010.
Ryan, Harriet. “Michael Jackson’s Father Seeks Allowance from Singer’s Estate.” Los Angeles Times, November 7, 2009.
“Statement by Michael (2007) Regarding Rumors Saying Randy Stole Michael’s Money.” Facebook/Friends of Randy Jackson, January 3, 2011 (I).
YEAR TWO (AFTER JUNE 25, 2010)
Adams, Tim. “Taylor Swift Edges Susan Boyle for 2009’s Top-Selling Album.” Billboard, January 6, 2010.
“AEG Live Responds to Katherine Jackson’s Lawsuit.” Associated Press, September 17, 2010.
Bourke, Philippa. “Michael’s Gravesite No Longer Guarded.” Sydney Morning Herald, March 10, 2010.
Christman, Donahue, Mitchell, Peoples, and Waddell.
Eager, Sophie. “Jackson Fans Graffiti Tomb.” National Ledger, July 14, 2010.
Friedman, Roger. “The Michael Jackson Vultures Circle June 25th for 1st Attack.” Showbiz411.com, June 11, 2010 (I).
Hernandez, Miriam, and Melissa MacBride. “Michael Jackson Mourned on Death Anniversary.” abcnews.go.com, June 25, 2010 (I).
“Jackson Family Suing AEG in Wrongful Death Lawsuit.” X17, September 15, 2010 (I).
McCartney, Anthony. “Joe Jackson Sues Murray for Wrongful Death.” Associated Press, June 25, 2010.
“Michael Jackson’s Father Files Wrongful Death Suit.” BBC, June 25, 2010 (RT).
“Panish Shea and Boyle LLP Files Lawsuit Against AEG for Wrongful Death of Michael Jackson.” psandb.com, September 15, 2010 (PR).
Sisario, Ben. “A Year Later, Jackson Estate Is Prospering.” New York Times, June 23, 2010 (hereafter cited as Sisario, “A Year Later”).
Wilson, Stan. “Father of Michael Jackson Accuses AEG of Singer’s Death.” CNN, June 18, 2010 (I).
CHAPTER 28
I have, obviously, heard a great deal about life inside the Hayvenhurst compound, and about life at Katherine Jackson’s new home in Calabasas. I tried to draw as much as possible, though, on published reports and public records. The fact that most of my sources of information (Schaffel and Mann being notable exceptions, along with Adam Streisand) have requested confidentiality is the principle reason for this. Where I’m drawing on my own sources will be acknowledged.
“Camp Jackson”/life inside compound: Tresniowski/“Michael’s Last Wish”/People. Children’s circumstances/ that mood was amplified when some of them either heard, or heard about, the taped conversation between Joel Katz and Henry Vaccaro, in which Katz and Vaccaro’s attorney can be heard chuckling about the fact that the Jacksons would be cut off completely when Katherine died. Rebbie and Janet only candidates to raise kids if Katherine died: confidential sources.
La Toya on Grace: to Daily Mail. Grace’s departure from Hayvenhurst, explanations: “overplaying her hand”: my sources; due to Barrack interviews: other sources; children’s fear of losing Grace: “Jackson Kids Secret Terror”/National Enquirer; Paris having Grace fired: see below. Grace’s presence influencing Debbie: Schaffel, other sources. Grace suggesting (or perceived as) that she might do a tell-all: confidential source, see also X17.com below. Buckley School plan/change of plan: TMZ, Tresniowski’s second People article; confidential sources. Department of Children and Family Services/stun gun: ABC online; Streisand refutation of story: Associated Press, others. Debbie Rowe custody situation: Schaffel, NY Daily News, Us. Rowe petition for legal fees: estate case file, Contact Music (including Tito quote). Stun gun incident /TMZ questions re. Streisand account: TMZ cited below. “World Exclusive” video, Haraszti comment: Radar Online below. Debbie’s concern about kids, never having been to Hayvenhurst: March 4 story. I’ve heard otherwise, but perhaps a visit came later; see also Friedman June 21, 2010. Jacksons’s questions/accusations about leak of stun gun/video: confidential sources; X17 on Grace as “snitch”/“threatening to write a tell-all book”: “Stun Gun Snitch.” Schaffel said Grace wasn’t the snitch; he was not my only source who said Grace wasn’t fired but left Hayvenhurst of her own volition, because of Alejandra, and what Schaffel knows comes mainly from KJ. “Strong recommendation” of Department of Children and Family services (DCFS): Schaffel, other sources I regard as equally or even more reliable. Claim Alejandra called DCFS/sold slapping video: “Jackson insider” letter/TMZ (see Chapter 26). Observations about MJ’s children’s reality/lack of privacy: my own. Kids at Cascios’ for Christmas: confidential sources; I don’t know that it’s been reported. “Don’t have any friends”: KJ to Daily Mirror. Enrollment at Buckley: TMZ August 27; insistence of Prince, reluctance of Paris, Blanket remaining homeschooled: confidential sources.
Michael controversy: media (more below) and confidential sources close to Jackson family; in this instance I’m pretty sure the estate’s position was the true one—at least with regard to whether that was MJ’s voice or not. The back and forth, and how people involved with the album on the one hand, and with MJ in the past on the other, divided between the two sides, was widely reported. Michaels/Guardian gave an account very close to the one I heard from my sources. Teddy Riley account: Nicholson/Guardian. Best source on assembly of album, review of music: Pareles “After Death, the Remix” (though I think he should have given “Behind the Mask” a little more respect). Existence of “Breaking News”: MTV. Commercial performance, radio response, first to predict the controversy: Friedman, who reported the heck out of the story. Eddie Cascio: to “Oprah,” NY Daily News. MJ’s children saying it wasn’t his voice: first, TMZ; see also TMZ video more than a year later of Paris Jackson telling friends (one of whom clearly sold her out) “It’s not him . . . the whole album isn’t even him!” Weitzman defense of album, especially “Breaking News,” Dileo, Riley quotes: Sisario/New York Times. KJ/Randy Jackson complaints: Michaels/Guardian. Will.i.am: to Rolling Stone. Quincy Jones: to Us. Estate’s defense of album: Sisario article on Howard Weitzman. Disappointing sales Gail Mitchell’s Billboard international success Friedman’s December 22, 2010, column. “Self-referential rehash”: Infantry/Toronto Star. I stand by my own opinion of “Behind the Mask.”
MJ’s belief in conspiracy to take ATV catalog from him: Mesereau (who remembers MJ constantly begging him not to “let them get to you”), Schaffel, Wiesner, Tohme, Bain in Stealing Michael Jackson interview, La Toya to Independent, Orth (see Chapter 5 notes), confidential source; based on things she said in my presence, KJ believes it’s all or mostly true. Conspiracy theories surrounding MJ’s death: Daily Telegraph; David Icke’s Web site has some truly arcane theories, and other sites picked up the one that the CIA was behind MJ’s “assassination.” David Rothenberg really MJ in disguise: Sun. MJ alive at coroner’s office: photographs as described in text, also, YouTube videos purported to show it. Geller comments: Geller. Joe Jackson’s letter telling MJ fans to lay off Conrad Murray: TMZ. Joe describing Murray as “fall guy”: Duke/CNN story, months earlier and well before Jermaine would. Joe’s complaint to the California Medical Board: Associated Press; similar allegations have been and are being made in AEG wrongful death suit, per documents filed in connection to it. Murray on how he might have saved MJ: the now-defunct News of the World, viaTimes of India. “Fall guy,” “Michael was murdered”: CNN story on La Toya’s Piers Morgan Tonight appearance. Murray’s lawyers’ claim Arnold Klein overmedicated MJ: court file/Murray trial. MJ showing signs of drugs after seeing Klein, Dileo’s remark: Faye statement to LAPD, used in “Do You Want Fries With That”/ TMZ. I’ve seen the claims Dr. Klein submitted to the Michael Jackson estate and all of the details about the treatment Klein provided to MJ are from one of those documents. “Needle-phobic”: Klein to Ephron/Daily Beast. The attorney general’s office was just one of a number of agencies investigating the relationship between Klein and other doctors with MJ. Klein himself was the first to announce (on Facebook.com/arnold.klein) that he was being investigated by the California Medical Board. “Upstanding physician”: first filing by KJ attorneys in wrongful death lawsuit against AEG.
Conrad Murray preliminary hearing: almost entirely from testimony and evidence; a few pieces of information were from the media but I mainly read those to see how the hearing was being covered. Kenny Ortega, as noted in the text, was named as one of the defendants in the original filing in the AEG suit, but did not remain among them for very long and is now likely to be called, as I understand it, as a witness for the plaintiffs. Though I refer to it as Katherine Jackson’s lawsuit, Prince, Paris, and Blanket are also plaintiffs; Katherine was the one who initiated it. Obviously, assertions such as that the paramedics were powerful witnesses and that the testimony of the phone company representative indicated that the prosecution was holding evidence in reserve were my own. The same is true of the statement that the failure to secure the evidence at the scene provided an opening for the defense. In fact the defense did attempt to take advantage of that at trial, but not very effectively.
MJ’S KIDS/HAYVENHURST
“Arnie Klein—Joe Jackson’s a Hypocrite!” TMZ, June 14, 2010 (I).
Dimond, Diane. “The Jackson 8’s Family Feud.” Daily Beast, August 13, 2009 (I).
Duke, Alan. “Michael Jackson Estate Fight Becomes Public Family Dispute.” CNN, November 11, 2009 (I).
Friedman, Roger. “Michael Jackson’s Kids: Spending Time with Debbie Rowe.” Showbiz411.com, June 21, 2010 (I).
Graham, Caroline. “Michael Was Murdered . . . I Felt It from the Start.” Daily Mail, July 13, 2009.
“Jackson Kids’ Secret Terror.” National Enquirer, October 22, 2009.
“Jackson’s Mum Remembers.”
“Katherine and MJ’s Kids—Pilgrimage on Anniversary.” TMZ, June 19, 2010 (I)
“Katherine Jackson: Michael’s Kids Have No Friends.” TMZ, June 20, 2010 (I).
“Michael Jackson’s Kids Could Turn Preppy.” TMZ, August 23, 2009 (I).
“Michael Jackson’s Kids Get School.” TMZ, August 27, 2010 (I).
“Paris Jackson Has Nanny Fired.” tribute.ca, May 27, 2010 (I).
Tresniowski and Dyball.
Tresniowski, Alev. “Michael Jackson’s Kids: Inside Their World.” People, September 17, 2010.
“The Jackson Kids’ Education—Home Works.” TMZ, September 8, 2009 (I).
STUN GUN AND SLAPPING INCIDENTS/DEBBIE, ALEJANDRA, AND GRACE
Chernikoff, Leah. “Debbie Rowe Concerned for Safety of Michael Jackson’s Kids After Reports of Stun Gun Threat.” New York Daily News, March 5, 2010.
“Debbie Rowe Wants Jackson Estate to Pay Bills.” Contact Music, September 9, 2010 (I).
“Debbie Rowe ‘Worried’ After Jackson Kids Stun-Gun Reports.” Us, March 5, 2010.
Goldman, Russell. “Jackson Nephew, 13, Investigated for Playing with Stun Gun.” abcnews.go.com, March 2, 2010 (I).
“Jackson Stun Gun Snitch Exposed.” X17, March 4, 2010 (I).
McCartney, Anthony. “Child Services Probes Stun Gun at Jackson Home.” Associated Press, March 3, 2010.
“Michael Jackson’s Ex Debbie Concerned About Blanket.” Radar Online, March 4, 2010 (I).
“The Story of Alejandra Oaziaza Jackson?” desireespeakssolisten.blogspot.com, June 10, 2010 (I).
“World Exclusive Video: Shocking Violence Inside Jackson Family Home.” Radar Online, March 5, 2010 (I).
MICHAEL ALBUM
Friedman, Roger. “Michael Jackson: ‘Secret’ Work Tapes Will Prove It’s His Voice on Tracks (‘Hold My Hand’ Now Available).” Showbiz411.com, November 14, 2010 (I).
———. “Michael Jackson’s New Album Finishes at Number 3 in U.S., but It’s an International Hit.” Showbiz411.com, December 22, 2010 (I).
———. “New Michael Jackson Album May Pose Legal Problems.” Showbiz411.com, May 3, 2010 (I).
Infantry, Ashante. “Review: Michael Jackson’s New Single Is Bad News.” Toronto Star, November 17, 2010.
“Michael Jackson Kid—They FAKED My Dad’s Voice on ‘Michael’ Album.” TMZ, Feburary 29, 2012 (I).
“Michael Jackson’s Kids: It’s Not Daddy’s Voice.” TMZ, November 1, 2010 (I).
Michaels, Sean. “New Michael Jackson Songs Are ‘Fake,’ Says His Mother.” Guardian, November 8, 2010.
———. “Randy Jackson Denounces Michael Album Tracks as Fakes.” Guardian, November 19, 2010.
Mitchell, Gail. “Michael Jackson’s ‘Michael’ Album Sales Pale Next to ‘This Is It.’” Billboard, January 21, 2011 (hereafter cited as Mitchell, “Album Sales”).
Nicholson, Rebecca. “The Row Behind the New Michael Jackson CD.” Guardian, December 12, 2010.
Pareles, Jon. “After Death, the Remix.” New York Times, December 12, 2010.
“Quincy Jones: Lady Gaga Is ‘Madonna Jr.’” Us, November 22, 2010.
Roberts, Soraya. “Michael Jackson Recorded Album of New Music with Eddie (Angel) Cascio in November 2007.” New York Daily News, May 3, 2010.
Ryan, Chris. “New Song: Michael Jackson, ‘Breaking News.’” mtv.com, November 8, 2010 (I).
Sisario, Ben. “‘Breaking News’: Lawyer Says, It’s Michael Jackson’s Voice.” New York Times, November 11, 2010.
“Will.i.am Explains His ‘Disgust’ for New Michael Jackson Album.” Rolling Stone, December 13, 2010.
Oprah. “Cascio Home.”
CONSPIRACY THEORIES
Bingham, John. “Michael Jackson Death: Conspiracy Theories and Unanswered Questions.” Daily Telegraph, June 26, 2009.
Hodge, Katie. “Michael Jackson Murdered for Hit Catalogue, Claims LaToya.” Independent, June 24, 2010.
“Michael Jackson Still Alive After Transport to Coroner.” YouTube, August 25, 2009 (I).
Sloan, Jenna. “Is Jacko Posing as a Burns Victim?” Sun, May 11, 2010.
“Why the CIA Murdered Michael Jackson.” forum.davidicke.com, August 25, 2009 (I).
CONRAD MURRAY PRELIMINARY HEARING
Duke, Alan. “Joe Jackson: Dr. Murray ‘a Fall Guy’ in Michael’s Death.” CNN, February 9, 2010 (I).
“Do You Want Fries?”
Ephron, Amy. “The Michael Jackson Trial That Wasn’t.” Daily Beast, September 29, 2011 (I) (hereafter cited as Ephron, “Trial”).
“Joe Jackson: Don’t Attack Conrad’s Supporters.” TMZ, May 12, 2010 (I).
McCartney, Anthony, and Thomas Watkins. “MJ’s Doc Requested CPR Gear, Nurse for London Gig.” Associated Press, June 17, 2010.
“Michael Jackson Was Murdered, Sister La Toya Tells Piers Morgan.” cnn.com, June 21, 2011 (I).
“MJ Could Have Been Saved, Says Doc in Dock.” Times of India, September 13, 2010 (I).
CHAPTER 29
KJ/estate effort to get Alejandra to leave Hayvenhurst: confidential sources close to KJ; also, information in the court file. June 2010 attempt/KJ stunned at Alejandra hiring an attorney/staying: my sources, see also (including Katherine attempting to convince Alejandra to move into MJ’s former condo) hollywoodgossip.com June 2010, Perez Hilton November 2010; most of the Internet media did not join in until the estate filed to evict Alejandra in January 2011. Confidentiality agreement/tell-all book: my sources, eventually reported on the Internet—see Perez Hilton January 7, 2011. I’m quoting Schaffel in part because he was the only one who didn’t ask me not to use his name, and also because he was a confidant to Mrs. Jackson as all this was playing out. Most of what he is reporting to me was told to him by Katherine and other people in her household. DCFS workers urging KJ to separate MJ’s kids from cousins: Schaffel and other sources (see Chapter 28); implied but to my knowledge not explicitly stated on TMZ. KJ staying at Schaffel’s in Calabasas/liking the neighborhood: Schaffel, confirmed by other sources. Details of Calabasas house: “Hangin’ in Britney’s Hood”/TMZ, visitors to the property. “She basically stays in the house,” KJ calling police/Alejandra response: confidential/advisor of KJ, as well as Schaffel on latter story. Jermaine stuck in Africa: confidential sources, TMZ and IANS, January 8–9, 2011. I do not know that Alejandra’s attorneys intended to trap Jermaine in Africa (two of my sources said they did) or whether they had filed a previous notice with the State Department that Jermaine was in child support arrears and that kicked in when Jermaine presented an expired passport in Burkina Faso. KJ going to the estate for money for Jermaine: confidential/her closest advisor; also, Friedman.
Jacksons’s concerns about what Alejandra might say in court: multiple sources, including Schaffel. Account of court hearing: Schaffel, TMZ, Radar Online. Estate deal to settle KJ-Alejandra-Jermaine issues: confidential sources who were spending a good deal of time in the Jackson household/with KJ as it was happening; see also entertainmentrundown.com, TMZ, Radar Online. What Jermaine told other family members about dealings with Branca: confidential source/KJ’s closest advisor. KJ complaints to Oprah Winfrey about Branca/estate: Mann, who was present at Hayvenhurst during the interview. Mann does bear no small animus toward Branca (and vice versa, I’m told) but his story about this was supported by others, and by KJ’s sworn declaration filed in the lawsuit between the estate and the Heal the World Foundation, from which KJ’s words come about Winfrey “relenting.”
A little about the Heal the World lawsuit, Streisand, and Sanders: I saw a draft of Mrs. Jackson’s declaration before it was even signed and received blow-by-blow reports as it all went down. I was at the time staying at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, and so was Perry Sanders, who was in town to deal with matters relating to the Notorious B.I.G. wrongful death lawsuit. Sanders and I got to know each other through the Notorious B.I.G. case: My article for Rolling Stone was the catalyst for the lawsuit, and we spoke on the phone while I was writing LAbyrinth, my book about the murders of B.I.G. and Tupac that sprung from that reporting. While I was working on a second Rolling Stone article about the case, we spent some time together in Colorado and became friends. So when we were both at the Beverly Hilton I asked Sanders to look at some of the documents I was being shown, in particular those connected to the Joe Jackson–Brian Oxman effort to remove Branca and McClain as executors, and tell me what he thought of them in terms of legal argument.
I was also meeting at the hotel with various people, including Tohme Tohme and Howard Mann, who wanted to hire me to write and possibly perform the narration for the Stealing Michael Jackson documentary. At one point, Mann stated that Katherine Jackson needed a new attorney who would be more aggressive in representing her and I suggested a meeting with my friend Perry. I had never had any contact with Adam Streisand up to that point in time and certainly bore him no ill will. Several meetings followed between Sanders and Katherine Jackson’s advisors; I sat in on most of them. Sanders and I were looking at the same documents and hearing the same stories. All of this led to a meeting that was attended by Katherine and her two closest advisors, as well as her constant companion Trent Jackson, plus Sanders and myself. I did ask Katherine a number of questions about her legal representation, why this or that decision had been made in dealing with MJ’s will and estate, and about her dealings (and MJ’s) with John Branca, among other things, but I also told her that Perry Sanders was an attorney I believed she could trust. The very next day, or perhaps it was the day after that, the public drama generated by Mrs. Jackson’s declaration in the Heal the World lawsuit erupted and Adam Streisand was quoted as saying that Katherine denied making the statements in that declaration. I heard before the end of the day that he was out and that Mrs. Jackson wanted to hire Perry Sanders (after speaking to Voletta Wallace). “Either a liar or a fool”: confidential/advisor present at the meeting where Sanders was introduced to Mrs. Jackson. TMZ articles containing estate response/Streisand: “Fraud,” “Pathetic,” April 12, 2011. (There have probably been more volleys fired through Harvey Levin than through Judge Beckloff at this point.) KJ firing of Streisand: I saw the letter, and eventually made contact with Adam to hear his side of the story; his quotes are all from e-mails he sent me in a back and forth dialogue. It was my analysis that Streisand, whether he wanted to say so or not, was effectively calling Mrs. Jackson a liar: Katherine had signed that declaration. Streisand is right that Joe and Randy wanted him gone, but they weren’t the only ones. There was general agreement on the Jackson side that Branca needed to be taken on (though not all of Joe and Katherine’s children thought so).
Sanders and I were together constantly during that week at the Beverly Hilton, but things did change after he formally took the job as Mrs. Jackson’s attorney. He told me less and what he did say was confidential. Fortunately, he was telling Katherine’s advisors everything and they were passing most of it on to me, including his brick and deal approach. “Big-time litigator”: “Let’s Be Fair”/TMZ. Phone meeting between KJ and Voletta: I knew about this before, during, and after it took place. Joe Jackson/Brian Oxman filing, Sanders’s review: The first time he went through it I was sitting right next to him and we were discussing it point-by-point; I have a copy of the filing and all supporting documents; all quoted material is from Oxman’s filing. Sanders warned that Oxman is a publicity hound: by me and others; I also told him that Oxman was not stupid and he agreed after reading the filing.
Assertion that Joe’s suit against the executors would have been heard if it had been filed on behalf of KJ: opinions from Sanders and other attorneys; I’ve made the same point to Branca and Weitzman and they haven’t disputed it. Sanders conferring with Paul LiCalsi/other attorneys: learned during week at Beverly Hilton. Questions about preparation and signing of will/why Branca hadn’t returned it to MJ when fired: raised in Oxman’s filing. Weitzman assertions about will’s approval by the court, signatures of witnesses: Weitzman to Reuters. As noted in the text, Weitzman has never stated whether the will was signed in New York or Los Angeles; I’ve given both him and Branca the opportunity to do so. Sanders–Barry Siegel conversation: Sanders; Hawk, unaware of that conversation, told me that Siegel told him the will was signed in New York. Handwriting expert (Bart Baggett): witnessed Sanders and Mann discussing it. I don’t pretend to know what to make of the accusations (and there are several posted online) that MJ’s signatures on either the will or the trust are forgeries. I do know that MJ’s signature varied considerably, and Dennis Hawk was just one of several people who told me that MJ often signed documents without even looking at them. I think Sanders was as skeptical about the whole handwriting analysis approach as I was, but he did seem to think it was significant that the signature page was separate from the rest of the document. Sanders learned from me that MJ was actively seeking to create a new will and trust in early 2009. I learned it from Tohme, confirmed it with Hawk, and then confirmed it again with Sean Najerian. “That was my distinct impression”: Hawk. Tohme was much more blunt and certain, insisting that MJ made it clear he thought he had no will and didn’t think the one naming Branca as an executor still existed. Hawk was much more reluctant to say anything that would sound like an accusation against Branca. 2006 Neverland Trust agreements: described by Tohme, Hawk, two other sources; eventually I saw copies myself. Najerian confirmed everything I had been told by Tohme and Hawk and voiced the opinion that the process was interrupted by the Julien Auctions imbroglio; Hawk agreed. “I can tell you”: Tohme. 2003 will naming Al Malnik as executor: Schaffel, one of the two witnesses to the signing of the document; I later discovered that the day after MJ’s death Malnik had told the Palm Beach Post’s “Page 2” columnist Jose Lambiet that he was indeed the executor of MJ’s 2003 will and had agreed to be the guardian of MJ’s youngest child, Blanket. A reporter for the local CBS affiliate in Miami, Lisa Petrillo, interviewed Malnik that same day and reported that Malnik had also told her that as of 2004 he was the executor of MJ’s estate and the designated guardian of Blanket. Reporters who called to ask/did not get Malnik to comment: South Florida reporters Bob Norman and Joe Weisenthal. Malnik hasn’t spoken to anyone on the record about the will since June 26, 2009, and wouldn’t talk to me. Malnik’s position as summarized in the text (“doesn’t want to be bothered,” etc.): Schaffel, who tried to communicate with Malnik on my behalf; the part about hiring Branca to run the estate makes sense. In our conversations in August of 2012, Howard Weitzman claimed he had spoken to Malnik and told me first that the will “was never filed” and then later wrote a letter to me in which he claimed Malnik had told him that the will never existed. Perry Sanders believed that Malnik should have produced any will in his possession for inspection by the court within sixty days of MJ’s death.
Sanders’s spring 2011 assessment of his “brick”: Sanders, before he stopped sharing so freely with me; also, Mann, other KJ advisors. Joe/Randy displeasure re. Sanders’s preference for a deal: multiple sources. “Bottom line”: Sanders to TMZ . Sanders-Weitzman lunch and dinner: Sanders; he did not say what it was about or what was discussed, but other confidential sources with relationships with KJ did. Settlement of Heal the World lawsuit: all of the documents, provided to me by one of KJ’s advisors, also discussed with Sanders; it was a moment of contention between us because I didn’t think Melissa Johnson had been dealt with fairly. Perry made it very clear he felt otherwise.
Joe and Randy accusing Sanders of working for the estate: multiple sources; actually, Joe insisted that I was the estate’s “plant” and had arranged for Sanders’s introduction at the behest of John Branca, who will no doubt be amused to read about it. Sanders convincing KJ of benefits of negotiating fair deal: multiple sources. What took place at Sanders-Weitzman dinner: per KJ advisors, Sanders made some sort of threat and that Weitzman decided that he, too, believed a deal was better than a battle. “A very able man”: KJ via secondary source. Sanders on Branca: Sanders told me Branca was “super-competent” and a reasonable man. “Katherine is being taken care of”: Sanders. How well MJ’s children were in Calabasas: several sources, again only Schaffel willing to be on record. Prince/Lakers game: “Gets His Game On”/TMZ. Prince developing vitiligo: Schaffel, also reported in media; see Daily Telegraph November 2009, NY Daily News July 2010 (first US mention); Jermaine told Extra six or seven months after I’d first heard.
COURT FILES
Civil
USDC-CA CV-09-07084.
LASC BP 117321, 11/9/09.
LASC BP 117 321, 12/15/09.
USDC-CA CV 11-00584 DDP.
LASC BP117321, 2/17/12.
DOCUMENTS
Birth Certificate, 2/13/98.
Declaration of Trust, 3/2/02.
Last Will, 7/7/02.
Branca to Jackson, 8/14/02.
Branca to Sony/ATV, 8/14/02.
Branca to Singer, 8/7/02.
Singer to Branca, 9/10/02.
Interfor Report on John Gregory Branca.
Jackson to Branca, 2/3/03.
Jackson to Siegel, 2/4/03.
Siegel to Jackson, Branca, and McClain, 8/26/03.
Branca, 4/15/06.
Weitzman to Sullivan and Entrekin, 3/31/11.
Durst to Reynolds, 4/3/11.
Mann to Sullivan, 4/9/11.
Mann to Sullivan “Secret Vault,” 4/9/11.
Streisand to Sullivan, 6/27/11.
Williams to Sanders, 11/3/11.
Ribera to Sullivan, 11/9/11.
Ribera to Sullivan, 11/13/11.
OTHER
Katz and Vaccaro, 8/2009.
HAYVENHURST DRAMA/ALEJANDRA
“Alejandra Jackson Agrees to Move Out of Family Compound.” Radar Online, April 9, 2011 (I).
“Alejandra Jackson Refuses to Leave Michael Jackson’s Encino Estate.” Radar Online, March 15, 2011 (I).
“Alejandra Jackson to Move Out—Book Deal Imminent.” TMZ, April 8, 2011 (I).
Free Britney. “Katherine Jackson Really Wants Former Daughter-in-Law, Grandkids Out.” hollywoodgossip.com, June 17, 2010 (I).
Friedman, “Owed Child Support.”
Hilton, Perez. “Katherine Jackson Wants Relatives to Move Out!” perezhilton.com, November 9, 2010 (I).
———. “Tell-All Book at Center of Jackson Family War!” perezhilton.com, January 1, 2011 (I).
“Jermaine and Randy Jackson’s Ex-Wife Refuses to Leave Katherine’s Home.” entertainmentrundown.com, March 3, 2011 (I).
“Jermaine Jackson—Stuck in Africa.” TMZ, January 8, 2011 (I).
“Jermaine Jackson Trapped in Africa After Passport Expires.” IANS, January 9, 2011 (I).
“Katherine Jackson—Hangin’ in Britney’s Hood.” TMZ, December 16, 2010 (I).
“Katherine Jackson: The Declaration Is a Fraud!” TMZ, April 12, 2011 (I).
“MJ Estate—Katherine’s Accusations Are ‘Pathetic.’” TMZ, April 12, 2011 (I).
“MJ Estate to Alejandra—Move Out Already!!!” TMZ, March 11, 2011 (I).
ESTATE/KATHERINE JACKSON/LAWYERS
Dobuzinkskis, Alex. “Michael Jackson Administrators Dismiss Questions About Legal Will.” Reuters, October 21, 2009.
“Katherine’s New Lawyer to Estate: Let’s Be Fair.” TMZ, April 15, 2011 (I).
Lambiet, Jose. “Palm Beacher Could Be Guardian of Michael Jackson’s Son.” Palm Beach Post, June 26, 2009.
Norman, “Reputed Mobster.”
Petrillo, Lisa. “Interview with Michael Jackson Friend Al Malnik.” CBS4/Miami, June 25, 2009 (RT).
Weisenthal, Joe. “Alleged Mobster May Control Jackson’s Estate.” businessinsider.com, June 28, 2009 (I).
PRINCE MICHAEL JACKSON
Black, Rosemary. “Like Father, Like Son? Prince Michael Jackson May Have Vitiligo, Which Dad Michael Claimed He Had.” New York Daily News, July 1, 2010.
Laing, Aislinn, and Nick Allen. “Michael Jackson: Son Prince Has Inherited Vitiligo Skin Condition, says La Toya.” Daily Telegraph, November 17, 2009.
Lopez, Johnny. “Michael Jackson’s Son Gets His Game On.” TMZ, January 26, 2011.
“Jermaine Jackson Says Prince Michael Showing Signs of Vitiligo.” Extra, September 26, 2011 (RT).
CHAPTER 30
As stated in the text, none of the questions surrounding MJ’s will and estate have been answered. And it still seems likely they never will be. It was widely reported in September of 2011 that Katherine Jackson and MJ’s children were to receive a $30 million distribution from the estate. Simply from reading the headlines on those stories it’s clear the reporters believed that Katherine and the kids were to have that money in their accounts very soon. One year later, they still don’t. When Weitzman appeared with Branca on CNN’s Piers Morgan Tonight, he was careful about how he answered the host’s question about the $30 million, saying, “It’s only a preliminary distribution. You know, the court has a certain process we have to go through. You deal with IRS issues, state of California estate issues. But ultimately the executors, John Branca and John McClain, decided that it was time for a preliminary distribution. Thirty million dollars went into Michael Jackson’s family trust.” Neither Weitzman nor Branca can be accused of misleading Morgan or the media in general. MJ’s family trust, though, has not actually been funded, meaning that none of that $30 million is available to Katherine or MJ’s children. This has naturally stoked suspicion among some in the Jackson family, and even among Mrs. Jackson’s attorneys, that Katherine will die before the estate has to pay her.
MJ cursing the day he bought the Beatles catalog/golden goose; KJ saying MJ’s wealth created more difficulties with his family than his fame, happier back in Gary: confidential sources close to Mrs. Jackson. KJ the only one in the family MJ trusted: same sources, also Schaffel, Tohme, Hawk, others. KJ on understanding better how it must have been for MJ: the confidential sources just mentioned. John McClain telling Jackie about Sanders estate deal (before Katherine told the rest of the family), Jackie passing the news on, Joe/Randy lobbying to stop deal: multiple sources close to Mrs. Jackson. (This was when Joe started telling people I was an estate “plant”). My sources believed (as did Perry Sanders) that McClain was for some reason trying to scuttle the deal. I don’t know that this last part is true, but it was clearly the consensus opinion of those around Mrs. Jackson. Jackie Jackson, by the way, is now being paid as a consultant to the estate. Judge Palazuelos tying Joe’s wrongful death lawsuit to Katherine’s, process by which Oxman accomplished: Beverly Hills Courier, May 3, 2011; later, my confidential sources. Janet, Jermaine, La Toya, Frank Cascio books: see bibliography, all were published in 2011. Wiesner’s book: Michael Jackson: The True Story, published in 2011 in Germany; I was told by someone close to Wiesner that the estate either had sued or was threatening to sue Dieter Wiesner for copyright infringement. I haven’t seen such a lawsuit. Dileo “tell-all”: Dileo to NY Daily News. Dileo health problems: see Radar Online on illness, Variety obituary, among others. I also discussed this subject with his wife Linda while her husband was in the hospital.
Arnold Klein financial problems: Schaffel, Klein’s bankruptcy filing, claim and counterclaim between Klein and Jason Pfeiffer, media reports. Klein’s wild claim re. Khilji using his money to finance terrorist organizations: Schaffel, court file, Seal/Vanity Fair. I am in no sense suggesting that claim is true. “To say I’m a thief”: Khilji to Dimond/“The Secret World of Dr. Arnold Klein.” Subpoena of Klein’s medical records by Murray defense: public record; some of them were introduced as evidence at trial; see also reporting on subpoenas of Klein’s records issued by AEG and the California Medical Board. The effort of the Murray defense to build its defense around the claim that Klein was responsible for turning MJ into a drug addict was blocked by Judge Pastor. Pfeiffer’s claims he and MJ had been lovers: Pfeiffer to Woman’s Day; Klein backing Pfeiffer: Klein to Extra (appearing with Pfeiffer), later to TMZ; see also hollywoodgossip.com. Klein apology: posted on Klein’s Facebook page; he said he was sorry for having repeated a story he now believed was “fabricated by a ghost writer” working with Pfeiffer, and wrote, “I do not at this time believe there is any evidence that [MJ] was gay” (see lipstickalley.com story). Taylor’s tweet denouncing Klein: Seal, “Dramatic fall”/Daily Mail. Taylor’s rejection of Klein’s rapprochement attempts: confidential source. Hoefflin travails: Dimond/“It’s Getting Even Weirder.” Hoefflin as Jackson family “medical representative”: Hoefflin claim; KJ advisors largely dismissed it. Hoefflin has never, to my knowledge, spoken publicly about these events. I should note that Klein sued Hoefflin in September of 2009 for remarks Hoefflin made to Britain’s the Sun suggesting that Klein must have instructed Conrad Murray in how to administer propofol and mostly likely was Murray’s source of the anesthetic. Hoefflin attempted to have the lawsuit dismissed on free speech grounds but Judge Amy Hogue ruled against him after Klein’s attorneys showed evidence that Hoefflin had been warned beforehand that he was about to make a false accusation. The case is apparently now in arbitration, see Ourweekly.com below.
Palomino house sales data: promotional brochure from when it went onto the market in spring 2010; the house is still for sale (see zillow.com listing), but the price has been substantially reduced and the new listing acknowledges that MJ lived in the guesthouse. Proposal to make Neverland Ranch into a state park: LA Times; plans for helicopter tours: Bly/USA Today. Drop in MJ record sales in 2010: Sisario/New York Times; much other information about the decline from 2009: Christman, Mitchell/Billboard. “Inventory liability”: Mitchell. Sillerman and Lefsetz: to Sisario. I used the $756 million figure for the value of the deals generated by the MJ estate in the first year after his death because it was the most widely published estimate, based on the examination of those deals by Billboard, as the NY Daily News story listed below acknowledges. But an estimate it is. That figure didn’t include merchandising deals or the earnings from the Mijac catalog. Billboard’s claim that MJ had made $1 billion in “earnings” in the first year after his death may be closer to the mark. There will be no way of knowing for certain unless the estate is subjected to a truly independent audit. The same is true of the $310 million (an amount that increased to $475 million in the “Second Account Current”) in “profits” reported by the estate. Back when he seemed to believe he had made a deal with the estate and was speaking well of Branca, Perry Sanders told me that Branca had done a brilliant job of reducing the estate’s debt, including a remarkably successful renegotiation of the interest on MJ’s loans. Sanders also told me that there was no way to be certain what Branca and McClain had paid themselves without an audit. Sanders said that such an audit would take place. “Only place he had ever really felt comfortable”: Mesereau, our very first interview. Neverland ruined for MJ: just about everyone I spoke to who dealt with MJ in the last five years of his life agreed on this; he repeatedly said he would never go back, not even for a visit, and Katherine Jackson said her son’s statements in that regard were why she blocked any attempt to bury him there. MJ talked about “going on” with his life in the very first interview he gave after the Chandler settlement, and it was a phrase he repeated again and again, according to those who represented him as attorneys, advisors, and business associates.
As noted earlier, I did speak to members of the Chandler family. None of them wanted to be quoted by name, though Ray Chandler didn’t say that until past the midpoint of our second and final interview and, as I explained earlier, my position is that my obligation not to quote him by name didn’t take effect until he made that request. Still, I did try to respect his wish that he not be quoted about Jordie and tried to use his quotes from earlier interviews or from his book when I could. That said, nearly all of the quotes attributed to Chandler family members in this section are from my interviews with them, though some of Ray’s quotes are from David Jones’s Daily Mail article on Evan Chandler’s suicide. I’ll note those.
“Looking over your shoulder for the next ten years”: via Ray Chandler. “Completely broken”: Orth, “Neverland’s Lost Boys”; that’s certainly not the description of Jordie I heard from two people outside his family who have had lengthy relationships with him. I can’t name them or even describe the nature of those relationships (other than that they were quite protective of Jordie) without compromising their identities, and both wanted to speak only on background. “Lonely, introverted”: Daily Mirror on Evan’s suicide; probably from Gumbel/Independent, 2003; again, that doesn’t really correspond to the descriptions I’ve heard, although the people I spoke to agreed that Jordie lives in a certain amount of fear and is wary of strangers—for good reason in their opinions. “Like a cancer”: Ray Chandler to Jones/Daily Mail. “Most vilified person on the planet”: Ray Chandler. Prostituted her son: Evan’s fundamental claim in custody battle with June was failure to protect Jordie because she was being treated to the lifestyle she longed for. Evan’s promises to maintain a relationship with two younger sons, excuse for poisonous nature of relationship with Nathalie: Ray Chandler; according to family members I spoke to, the producer mentioned earlier, and two other persons familiar with Jordie, Nikki, and Emmanuel were deeply wounded by their father’s abandonment and as adults had refused any contact with him, including arranging or attending a funeral. It was clear to me that even Ray had a difficult time forgiving his brother for turning his back on his sons. Evan and Jordie fleeing to Germany, then settling on Long Island: Chandler family member. Praise of Nathalie/Robert Rosen home and parenting: several people, including my producer friend, who told me Rosen had been a terrific step-father and that because of that Nikki, and Emmanuel had turned out well. I also learned not long after this, though, that Rosen and Nathalie had separated. Jordie refusing contact with June: June testified to this in People v. Jackson, saying she hadn’t seen him since 1994; the skateboard in the garage: probably first reported by Kevin Smith, 1997; see also vindicatemj.wordpress.com. A particularly rich though entirely slanted source of information about Jordie and the Chandlers is the “Michael Jackson Is Innocent” file at lacienegasmiled.wordpress.com, which has been written by a young woman who claims to have attended NYU with Jordie (a claim I’m told is true). Anyway, I was told by family members that the skateboard story was true, but that it was actually one of Jordie’s siblings who put it in the garage. Jordie’s growing wealth and investments: Chandler family members, other sources, Daily Mail (including investments in oil stocks), Smith/People, Gumbel 2003; the bank vice president who became Jordie’s financial advisor was Jeffrey Hahn. Jordie/Evan terror of MJ fans, stalking: British MJ fan Denise Pfeiffer was sent to jail in Los Angeles for making threats against both of them, before being bailed out by the actress Lynn Redgrave: Evening Standard, 1994; I heard a good deal from Ray about how threatened Evan felt by Pfeiffer/other MJ fans. “We’re coming to take your blood” phone message: basis of a complaint to the police in Beverly Hills; Ray Chandler told me that there were many other, equally disturbing messages. Jordie taking shooting lessons: All That Glitters. Tabloids’ bounty on Jordie’s head: widely reported (see vindicatemj.com for links). Jordie’s adult life/living circumstances: Chandler family members, Jones/Daily Mail (including building with rooftop pool/indoor track, work as record company intern), other published reports. Sonnet Simmons was identified as Jordie’s “girlfriend” in the 1997 Kevin Smith article, when they were both still still in high school; they also attended the same college. One source told me they were “just friends,” but I didn’t make a great deal of effort to determine if that was so. As noted earlier, the people I spoke to who had relationships with Jordie were quite protective of him and felt he was living a good life, other than feeling hunted by the media and certain MJ fans. Evan’s attack on Dave Schwartz: Fischer/GQ, Larry Feldman/Frozen in Time. Evan’s 1996 lawsuit against MJ: widely reported at the time; see “On This Day”/BBC, posts on vindicatemj.com, which obviously take MJ’s side. Evan handsomeness: agreed upon by pretty much all who knew him; “a handsomer Rob Lowe”: unnamed source to New York Post on his suicide. Evan unable to form another relationship after the one with Nathalie ended: Ray Chandler, another source (also reported in Jones’s story); bipolar diagnosis, avoidance of medicine/“zombie”: Ray Chandler; another family source, though, had more to say about how Evan’s condition worsened, and that he became increasingly unstable and frequently frightening. Evan’s plastic surgery: Jones; Ray merely acknowledged that what I had read was true. Another source described it more vividly, in the context of both Evan’s fragile psyche, his insistence that he was trying to maintain anonymity (which Ray mentioned also) and how difficult to look at he became. Evan and Jordie fighting over money: Jones, acknowledged by Ray, also an aspect of Jordie’s family court complaint against his father. Opportunity for vindication: Ray told me how convinced he was that the criminal filing against MJ would offer this, and how disappointed he was when it didn’t.
“Sketchy,” “naïve as hell,” “somewhat asexual”: Presley to Stern, Sawyer, GQ as below. Dateline/Ernie Rizzo: see Mankiewicz/NBC, broadcast September 2004. “It’s cosmic”: reported by Dateline from a chronology Evan wrote for Barry Rothman. Salinas, Rizzo quotes: Dateline. Fall of Anthony Pellicano: I cite simply the lengthy reports of Pellicano’s conviction on racketeering and wiretapping charges (see LA Times, New York Times), but the LA Times reported much more, as did Dateline. Ray Chandler clearly feels that what came out about Pellicano should have created greater sympathy for his family and greater skepticism about the Fischer article. He described Fischer as “a dupe” in an interview with me. Ray moved to write his book after seeing the Bashir documentary: Ray Chandler in 2004 and to me. “They’re in love!,” “six wishes”: All That Glitters,Dateline. Sworn declaration in which Jordie described MJ’s alleged sexual seduction: now widely available online, see “Michael Jackson’s lover tells all”/ Michael Jackson Forum/topix.com. “Before it got to anal sex”: Ray Chandler. Corey Feldman quotes: Feldman to Bashir. Ray Chandler dismissal of Feldman’s prior “no inappropriate contact” account, similar stories from others: Ray Chandler. Elatab: “New Jersey Teenager”/CBS. Retort that MJ was “selective”: Ray Chandler. Vaknin/roots of pedophilia: Vaknin, Malignant Self-Love. “What made Michael different”: Ray Chandler. Ray acknowledged that Jordie and Evan were unhappy with him for going on TV (and for seeking publicity) and said that neither wanted to be associated with the criminal case—out of fear for their safety, Ray said. Photographs of Jordie on the ski slopes: I remember seeing them during the trial but they’re not easy to find these days. Some were posted by a bulletin board user at somj.org (“Sisterhood of Michael Jackson”). Liberty Towers: description and accompanying photographs/Jones/Daily Mail. Evan/Gaucher’s disease: Jones probably first to report, likely via Ray, who told me. As with drugs earlier, I used Wikipedia and its outbound links to research the disease. Evan’s rages: Ray Chandler acknowledged, but another source described them more vividly. Attack on Jordie: public record, reported at the time by Friedman, Caruso/NY Daily News. Evan’s last days: Jones, Ray Chandler. Surfing and guitar: Jordie continued to spend money on lessons right up to the time of MJ’s death; according to confidential sources, he was studying surfing and guitar in Los Angeles when MJ died, but left town shortly thereafter. “You’re So Good For Me”: Jordie is credited as the lyricist; Simmons performs under her first name only. Jordie’s life in 2009: based on confidential sources, as earlier. Death of Evan, discovery thereof: Jones, Ray Chandler. “Absolutely nothing to do with Michael Jackson . . . euthanasia”: Ray Chandler; Ray/funeral arrangements, funeral home staffer quote: Jones/Daily Mail. MJ fan quotes about Evan’s suicide, threats against Jordie: various MJ/gossip Web sites (perezhilton.com, popcrunch.com, and gossipjacker.net had the nastiest ones); I’m sure they’re buried beneath many others by now. Address published, tracking blogs:floacist.wordpress.com, mjkit.forumotion.net. Tabloid/$300,000 for a photo of Jordie: Ray Chandler, another source; also, reported at the time.
It will disappoint and possibly infuriate some MJ fans when I write that Jordan Chandler most definitely did not write a letter Katherine Jackson received, confessing that he made up the story that MJ molested him. Jordie has not written any letters or made any public statements about his relationship with MJ since 1994. The story got traction mainly because Jermaine took it to starpulse.com. He may believe it’s true. Katherine Jackson does, or at least says she does; she said it to me in April of 2011.
I described at the beginning of these notes the circumstances under which I heard the story of the producer who ate Thanksgiving dinner with Jordie’s family. This is someone who had no agenda himself, and who knew I was pretty much convinced at that point that the abuse allegations against MJ were false. As noted, he asked me some time after that conversation not to quote him; I agreed only not to quote him by name. Obviously the family will know who it is.
Zonen demeanor during presentation at “Frozen in Time”: “Frozen in Time” DVD; I’m pretty certain Mesereau will agree with my assessment. I’m paraphrasing Zonen’s remarks, obviously, but this is almost exactly what he said, in a compressed form.
COURT FILES
Criminal
SBSC 1133603.
LASC SA073164.
Civil
LASC SC026226.
LASC BC445597.
2:11-bk-12718-RN.
2:11-ap-02407-RN, 6/27/11.
2:11-ap-02407-RN, 8/3/11.
DOCUMENTS
Mann to Sullivan, 4/9/11.
“RE: Oxman.” E-mail from Howard Mann to Randall Sullivan, May 2, 2011.
ESTATE/AEG
“Katherine Jackson to Manage Wrongful Death Case Filed by Her Husband Joe.” Beverly Hills Courier, May 3, 2011.
“Michael Jackson Estate to Distribute $30 Million to Katherine Jackson and the Children.” Huffingtonpost.com, September 14, 2011 (I).
Morgan, “Branca and Weitzman.”
Yoshino, Kimi. “Katherine Jackson, Kids to Get $30 Million from the Michael Jackson Estate.” LATimes.com, September 14, 2011.
FRANK DILEO
“Frank Dileo, Michael Jackson’s Manager, Touts Tell-All Book About the Pop Star, Controversial Album.” New York Daily News, January 5, 2011.
“Michael Jackson’s Ex-Manager Frank Dileo Hospitalized, Fighting for His Life.” RadarOnline, March 30, 2011 (I).
Morris, Christopher. “Frank Dileo Dies at 64.” Variety, August 24, 2011.
KLEIN/PFEIFFER/BANKRUPTCY/CHARGES/HOEFFLIN
“Arnold Klein: I Did Not Betray Michael Jackson.” TMZ, May 1, 2010.
Dimond, Diane. “Even Weirder.”
———. “Secret World.”
“The Dramatic Fall of Michael Jackson’s Dermatologist.” Daily Mail, January 3, 2012.
“Jacko’s Secret Lover.”
“Jason Pfeiffer Alleges Gay Affair with Michael Jackson; Dr. Arnold Klein Backs Him Up.” thehollywoodgossip.com, May 3rd, 2010 (I).
“King of Pop’s Secret Lover: ‘I Was Michael Jackson’s Boyfriend.” Extra, April 29, 2010.
“Michael Jackson Was Not Gay—Arnold Klein.” lipstickalley.com, April 20, 2011 (I).
“More Lawsuits Surface Regarding Michael Jackson’s Death.” ourweekly.com, June 25, 2010 (I).
Seal, “The Doctor Will Sue.”
Willets. David. “Michael Jackson ‘Dead 47 Minutes’ as Doc Made 3 Phone Calls.” Sun, August 27, 2009.
MJ BONANZA
Bly, Laura. “Neverland: Michael Jackson’s Former Ranch Keeps Grip on Ffans.” USAtoday.com, June 21, 2011 (I).
Chawkins, Steve. “Neverland Ranch as a State Park?” Los Angeles Times, July 14, 2010.
Christman, Ed. “U.S. Album Sales Dropped 12.8% Last Year, Digital Tracks Post Small Gain.” billboard.biz, January 5, 2011 (I).
Christman, Donahue, Mitchell, Peoples, and Waddell.
Mitchell, “Album Sales.”
Sisario, “A Year Later.”
“2710 Palomino Ln., Las Vegas, NV 89107—Michael Jackson’s Last Las Vegas Residence from 2007 Through 2009.” zillow.com, March 2009 (I).
CHANDLER CASE
Barnes, Brooks. “Pellicano and a Lawyer Convicted in Wiretapping.” New York Times, August 29, 2008.
Bashir, Martin. “Corey Feldman Speaks Out Against Jackson.” ABC-20/20, February 10, 2005 (RT).
Caruso, Michelle. “Jax Accuser Abuse Claim. Kid Paid Off in ’93 Sez He Was Harmed—by Own Dad.” New York Daily News, September 5, 2006.
Fischer, “Framed.”
Friedman, Roger. “Ex-Jacko Accuser in Court Against Dad.” Fox News, August 19, 2006 (I).
Gumbel, Andrew. “Accusing Jackson of Sex Abuse Ruined the Life of Jordy Chandler.” Independent, November 22, 2003.
Hall, Carla, and Tami Abdollah. “Pellicano Found Guilty of Racketeering.” Los Angeles Times, May 16, 2008.
Hodgson, Liz, and Pat Malone. “Jackson Stalker Put on Probation.” Evening Standard, May 25, 1994.
“Jermaine Jackson: ‘Abuse Victim Claims Michael Jackson Never Molested Him.’” starpulse.com, November 26, 2009 (I).
Leung, Rebecca. “New Jersey Teenager Reveals Secrets at Neverland Ranch.” cbsnews.com, November 22, 2003 (I).
“Lisa Marie Presley Interview.” GQ, January 2004.
Mankiewicz, Josh. “Inside Look at the 1999 Jackson Case.” NBC/Dateline, September 12, 2004 (RT).
“Michael Jackson Forum: Michael Jackson’s Lover Tells All.” topix.com, January 7, 2011 (I).
“Michael Jackson Is Innocent.” lacienegasmiled.wordpress.com, August 9, 2010 (I).
“On This Day, August 24, 1993: Michael Jackson Accused of Child Abuse.” BBC (RT).
Orth 3/04.
Sawyer, “Lisa Marie Presley.”
Smith, Kevin. “Jordy Made a Fortune Out of Michael Jackson . . . Now He’s Alone and Abandoned.” People (London), February 16, 1997.
Stern, Howard. “Lisa Marie Presley Interview.” Howard Stern Show, February 25, 2003.
EVAN’S SUICIDE
Jones, “Killed by the Curse.”
Parry, Ryan. “Michael Jackson Sex Case Dad Evan Chandler Wanted Justice but Ended Up Destroyed.” Daily Mirror, November 19, 2009.
Perone, Tim, Lisa Stasi, and David K. Li. “Jacko Molest-Rap Dad Kills Himself.” New York Post, November 18, 2009.
WIKIPEDIA
“Gaucher’s Disease.”
CHAPTER 31
“Michael was a good person”: Mesereau. Ortega on MJ’s trips to orphanages and hospitals, “never seen Michael . . . embarrass, harm”: Ortega to McLean/the Times of London. Katherine Jackson asked me to “tell the world” MJ was not a pedophile near the end of that meeting where she was introduced to Perry Sanders. Schaffel told me about being sent to purchase the photo and books in one of our last interviews. Three deadbolt locks/secret room: reports police investigators made on the day of the raid on Neverland, part of the court file (as is the fact that MJ installed a chime-sounding alarm to notify him whenever someone was approaching the door of his bedroom). His desire for privacy, as I acknowledged in the text, is undeniable. In the end, I can only say that the feelings I developed for MJ in the course of researching and writing this book were almost entirely tender ones, and that I do sincerely wish he is resting in peace.
COURT FILES
Criminal
SBSC 1133603.
Civil
LASC SC026226.
REFLECTIONS
Demorest, Steve. “Michael in Wonderland.” Melody Maker, March 1, 1980 (hereafter cited as Demorest).
McLean, “Ortega.”
AFTERWORD
Trial of Dr. Conrad Murray section: facts and quoted statements are from court record. I happened to be in Los Angeles when the trial began, as were Katherine Jackson’s attorneys Perry Sanders and Sandra Ribera, who both shared their observations and analysis of what was taking place. Sandy was in court the first day of the trial, seated with the Jackson family, and not only discussed what she had seen but gave me a copy of the notes she made in court. Nevertheless, I relied mainly upon daily reporting from the courthouse: Ryan and Kim/LA Times, TMZ bulletins. TruTV’s “In Session” program asked me to join their team of reporters and commentators covering the trial, but I declined.
Arnold Klein had admitted more than once that he administered Demerol to MJ in his office. “Needle phobic”: to Amy Ephron (see Chapter 28); Ephron also recapitulated the work of DEA agents and California Medical Board investigators, some of which was also reported by her colleague Diane Dimond, among others. Pfeiffer’s official claims against Klein: counterclaim against the doctor’s lawsuit against him; Pfeiffer’s unofficial claims (and references to the doctor as “Frankenklein”): postings on his blogspot. Klein prescriptions to Pfeiffer: provided by Pfeiffer for use in Daily Beast articles listed below. Judge Pastor’s ruling that most of the Klein stuff would not be admitted into evidence was made before the trial began. “Essentially gutted our defense strategy”: Chernoff to Ephron (see Chapter 28), though he said nearly the same thing to the LA Times. My opinion that the testimony of the AEG executives had been choreographed was shared by Sanders and Ribera. I can say for certain that the surfacing of the Kenny Ortega e-mail gave the attorneys representing Mrs. Jackson in the AEG lawsuit the sense that they might win that case after all. Gongaware testimony, playing of iPhone message, testimony that follows, etc.: evidence and testimony offered at trial. The autopsy photo of MJ did indeed appear on TMZ’s Web site; I’m not going to cite it. Jackson family reaction to Phillips’s testimony: sources in court, media reporting. Walgren, Pastor, White, Schafer, Waldman: transcripts/open court. “Scumbag”: see below. Scene at courthouse, and appearance of Occupy protesters: Esquival and Rojas/LA Times Web site. “Harrumphing incredulously”: Smith, Wall Street Journal blog. Positioning of La Toya and Janet: observers in court, media. Jermaine story/MJ planning to flee if found guilty: TMZ, which also reported Mesereau’s reaction (“Calls BS”). The quote here, though, was made in a conversation with me. Observations about the Jackson family: my own, though I certainly spoke to people close to the family who shared them. La Toya’s tweet: still online. Scene at the courthouse: again, Rojas and Esquival. Verdict/meaning in terms of sentencing: Blankstein/day of the verdict, ABC/next day; actual sentencing: CNN, USA Today. Murray remarks: “Michael Jackson and the Doctor”/MSNBC. Estate’s attempt to block the documentary: LA Times. “Four years is not enough”: KJ to Los Angeles ABC affiliate, reported on the network’s Web site November 29, 2011. “Upbeat,” “I’ll be out soon”: TMZ, same day as the sentencing.
Medical Board questioning Klein: first reported by Dr. Klein himself on Facebook, later, Dimond/Daily Beast, Perpetua/rollingstone.com. Hiring publicist: Ryan/LA Times. Klein’s practice shrinking: Schaffel, later, Ryan, Seal. Auctioning off memorabilia: Heger/radaronline.com. Klein’s Facebook posts, still online: Seal. Medical Board demands on Dr. Klein, Klein response: Klein’s lawsuit in Sacramento’s Superior Court. Entertainment Tonight/Liberace’s former lover: see eonline.com. Landlord attempt to evict Klein: Heger/radaronline.com. Klein’s battle with LaChappelle, quote from Detective Hrycyk: Ryan/LA Times. Raymone Bain guilty plea/sentencing: Mather/LA Times Web site; Mesereau on Bain being held accountable for MJ’s failure to pay taxes: Mesereau. Oxman suspension/Jaroscak/related issues: State Bar Court of California Review Department ruling, Mesereau. Permanent disbarment: Friedman, Oxman’s State Bar profile; it was made final after this book was completed.
AEG lawsuit/strategy, impact of Kenny Ortega e-mail and other information discovered in the lawsuit: confidential/KJ attorneys/advisors. MJ estate vs. Lloyds of London: TMZ; I heard a good deal more than they know about that from confidential sources closer to the action, especially about the backdoor communications on this matter between the estate and AEG. Katz-Vaccaro-Vaccaro’s-attorney taped conversation: see chapter 27; I have a copy of that recording. Pressure on Perry Sanders, Segye Times lawsuit settlement: KJ advisors, Sanders; also re. settlement, TMZ, including information about the loan I wasn’t aware of. Tax issues facing MJ’s estate: Tax Notes, which thoroughly explained the issues that surround valuation of a dead celebrity’s estate. Branca/Weitzman Piers Morgan Tonight appearance: watched first airing, discussed with my sources, who agreed that the IRS must have been made aware of the claims about the value of MJ’s publishing rights. Settlement terms/Segye Times/loan from estate: confidential sources as above; the deal with the estate included some sort of provision for KJ and kids to fly to Montreal and enthuse about the Cirque du Soleil show. Sanders praising Branca: I was among those to whom he did. As noted previously, Sanders’s tone was changing again, and so was the attitude of Mrs. Jackson’s advisors, in the spring and summer of 2012. Sanders-LiCalsi meeting, Sanders-KJ meeting and advice about Branca/McClain: confidential source. Sanders’s spring 2012 questions for estate/Weitzman: Sanders, people involved in AEG lawsuit. Sanders praise of Branca for renegotiating MJ debt: Sanders, others to whom he spoke about it. Pepsi deal, Ola Ray settlement: contactmusic.com, others. Kimberly Griggs lawsuit, right to sell Hayvenhurst: TMZ; Sanders’s displeasure and estate explanation: Sanders, to me and to TMZ. Estate accounting statement: copy of document filed with Judge Beckloff, notated by Sandy Ribera. Jackson siblings’ questions about executor earnings, mounting pressure on Sanders: confidential sources, Sanders. Ribera précis to clients of accounting statement: Ribera, confidential source; Sanders needing a full accounting: confidential sources, Sanders. Randy/Janet pressure to take Branca on in court: my sources, as it was happening. The two youngest Jacksons have long been closer to each other than to others in the family. Janet/divorce: a number of people told me about how changed she was by her settlement with Elizondo—even Mesereau had heard about it. Divorce terms: papers and settlement via SmokingGun.com. Janet’s demand that Michael put up for boat first: two anonymous sources. $40,000 Forest Lawn deposit: Katherine Jackson told a number of people who later told me about Janet’s insistence on being repaid before MJ could be buried; the only one I can name is Schaffel; Janet wishing her siblings had their own money: same sources. What might appear to be hard-heartedness on Janet’s part should probably be placed in the context of her two divorces; she allowed herself to be taken advantage of financially by her ex-husbands to a degree that may be unmatched by any other female celebrity in U.S. history.
KJ personal growth early 2011 through third anniversary of MJ’s death: Sanders and Ribera; others remarked upon it also. KJ refusal to hear criticisms of Randy/her other children, refusing Randy’s demands re. replacing her lawyers: same confidential sources. Ribera quotes: Ribera. Description of Prince: consistent across confidential sources; Prince questioning Sanders in Montreal: Mann, a confidential source. Prince’s trip to Berlin: Mann, who sent along a film crew; another source. Paris quotes: to DeGeneres and Winfrey. Janet Jackson quote to Prevention: below. Fiddes claim to be Blanket’s father: Fiddes to the Globe via contactmusic.com, aol.com. Paris’s tweets and online posts: Goldberg, CNN. Murray at Los Angeles County Jail: TMZ, including Murray’s quotes, contactmusic.com.
Promotion of Unity tour, Jermaine quote: “Michael Jackson Remembered By Brothers”/Daily Telegraph. KJ preparing to go on the road to follow her sons: KJ advisors, Ribera. KJ disappearance in July of 2012 and return home: Sanders and especially Ribera; also, Mann/one of his attorneys on their litigation with the estate. I also spoke to one of Mrs. Jackson’s other advisors. The entire debacle was thoroughly chronicled in the tabloid media and on the Internet and the hearing before Judge Beckloff where KJ regained custody and the facts of her disappearance were entered is part of the BP 117 321 court file. Roger Friedman and TMZ led the way, as described in the text, relying heavily on what they heard from Sanders and Ribera, who were telling me a lot more than they were telling anyone else. All that came from secondary sources should be obvious to anyone reading the list of citations below.
COURT FILES
Criminal
LASC SA073164.
Civil
2:11-bk-12718-RN.
2:11-ap-02407-RN, 6/27/11.
2:11-ap-02407-RN, 8/3/11.
07-O-11968;08-O-12328;07-O13696;09-O12276 (State Bar Court of California, Review Department) In the Matter of Rickey Brian Oxman and Maureen Patricia Jaroscak, January 13, 2012.
34-2012-80001201 (Sacramento County Superior Court) Arnold Klein, M.D. v. Medical Board of California, July 17, 2012.
BP 117 321 (Los Angeles Superior Court) Second Account Current and Report of Status Petition for Settlement Thereof, Estate of Michael Joseph Jackson, July 2, 2012.
BP 117 321 (Los Angeles Superior Court) Response of Executors John Branca and John McClain to Katherine Jackson’s Request for Production of Supporting Documents for Account Current, August 20, 2012.
DOCUMENTS
“Brian Oxman—CA State Bar Profile.” February 10, 2012.
“Request for Production of Supporting Documents” submitted by Perry R. Sanders Jr. on behalf of Katherine Jackson to the Michael Jackson Estate, June 29, 2012.
PRE-TRIAL/KLEIN/PFEIFFER
Dimond, Diane. “Secret World.”
“Dr. Klein Hands Over Michael Jackson’s Records.” TMZ, April 6, 2011 (I).
Ephron, “Trial.”
Pfeiffer, Jason. “The Truth According to Jason: Desperate Times Call For Desperate Measures.” jasonpfeiffer.blogspot.com, April 2, 2010 (I).
———.”The Truth According to Jason: I Have Not Said a Lot Lately . . .” jasonpfeiffer.blogspot.com, November 14, 2011 (I).
———. “The Truth According to Jason: Trapped Like a Rat.” jasonpfeiffer.blogspot.com, March 20, 2012 (I).
———. “The Truth According to Jason: What Goes Around Comes Around . . . Is It Mr. Klein Yet?” jasonpfeiffer.blogspot.com, December 10, 2011 (I).
———. “The Truth According to Jason: Your House of Cards . . .” jasonpfeiffer.blogspot.com, August 16, 2011 (I).
Ryan, Harriet, and Victoria Kim,. “Another Setback for Murray’s Defense Strategy.” Los Angeles Times, August 29, 2011.
Seal, “Doctor Will Sue.”
TRIAL
Finn, Natalie, and Baker Machado. “Conrad Murray Defense Witness Calls Propofol Expert a ‘Scumbag.’” E!online.com, October 20, 2011 (I).
Kim, Victoria. “Michael Jackson Trial: Day 2 to Start with ‘This Is It’ Producer.” LATimes.com, September 28, 2011 (I). (These articles by Kim are cited chronologically.)
———. “Conrad Murray, in Taped Interview, Recalls Being Hired by Jackson.” LATimes.com, October 7, 2011 (I).
———. “Conrad Murray Trial: Whether Jackson Swallowed Sedative Is Debated.” LATimes.com, October 7, 2011 (I).
———. “Conrad Murray Trial: Detective Questioned on Propofol Bottle.” LATimes.com, October 11, 2011 (I).
———. “Michael Jackson Autopsy Photo Shown to Jurors During Testimony.” LATimes.com, October 11, 2011 (I).
———. “Testimony Strikes at Heart of Jackson Doctor’s Defense.” Los Angeles Times, October 11, 2011 (I).
———. “Witness: Conrad Murray More Like Employee Than Doctor to Jackson.” LATimes.com, October 19, 2011 (I).
———. “Witness: A ‘Possibility’ That Michael Jackson Caused Own Death.” LATimes.com, October 21, 2011 (I).
———. “Conrad Murray: Judge Issues Another Blow to Defense.” LATimes.com, October 25, 2011 (I).
———. “Conrad Murray Witness: Jackson Wanted Unorthodox Sleep Drug.” LATimes.com, October 25, 2011 (I).
———. “Conrad Murray Patient: ‘I Am Alive Today Because of That Man.’” LATimes.com, October 26, 2011 (I).
———. “Conrad Murray Trial: Caving In to a Patient’s Demands?” LATimes.com, October 27, 2011 (I).
———. “Michael Jackson ‘Probably’ Addicted to Demerol—Defense Witness.” LATimes.com, October 27, 2011 (I).
———. “Defense Expert Concedes Conrad Murray Violated Medical Care Standards.” LATimes.com, October 31, 2011 (I)
———. “Key Conrad Murray Witness Faces New Contempt of Court Charge.” LATimes.com, October 31, 2011 (I).
———. “Conrad Murray’s Fate Soon to Be in Jury’s Hands as Testimony Ends.” LATimes.com, November 1, 2011 (I).
———. “Defense Calls Conrad Murray a Victim as Case Goes to Jury.” LATimes.com, November 3, 2011 (I).
———. “Conrad Murray Lied to Police About Jackson’s Death, D.A. Says.” LATimes.com, November 3, 2011.
——— “Conrad Murray’s Defense Employed ‘Junk Science,’ D.A. says.” LATimes.com, November 3, 2011 (I).
———. “Conrad Murray Guilty Even If Jackson Injected Himself, D.A. says.” LATimes.com, November 3, 2011 (I).
———. “Lawyers for Conrad Murray Seek Test of Drug Vial.” Los Angeles Times, July 31, 2012.
Kim, Victoria, and Harriet Ryan. “Conrad Murray Trial: Jackson Doctor Makes Frantic Call, but Not to 911.” LATimes.com, September 28, 2011 (I). (These articles by Kim and Ryan are cited chronologically.)
——— and ———. “Jackson Begged for ‘Some Milk,’ Murray Says in Recording.” Los Angeles Times, October 7, 2011.
——— and ———. “Witness: Murray Gave Jackson 40 Times More of the Drug Than He Told Police.” LATimes.com, October 20, 2011 (I).
——— and ———. “Michael Jackson Probably Caused His Own Death, Witness Testifies.” Los Angeles Times, October 29, 2011.
——— and ———. “Conrad Murray Trial: Prosecution to Cross-Examine Defense Expert.” LATimes.com, October 31, 2011 (I).
——— and ———. “Murray’s Defense Ends with Him Taking the Stand.” Los Angeles Times, November 2, 2011.
Kim, Victoria, Harriet Ryan, and Andrew Blankstein. “Murray’s iPhone Offers Snapshot of Jackson’s Final Weeks.” LATimes.com, October 6, 2011 (I).
“MJ’s Lawyer Calls BS on Jermaine Jackson.” TMZ, September 11, 2011 (I).
Ryan, Harriet and Victoria Kim. “Michael Jackson Was Too Sick to Dance at Rehearsals, Director Says.” LATimes.com, September 27, 2011 (I). (These articles by Ryan and Kim are cited chronologically.)
——— and ———. “Michael Jackson ‘Fearful’ About Comeback Tour, Doctor Testifies.” LATimes.com, October 24, 2011 (I).
——— and ———. “Defense Witness Describes a Confident Michael Jackson.” Los Angeles Times, October 26, 2011.
——— and ———. “Conrad Murray Trial: Final Defense Witnesses to Testify Thursday.” LATimes.com, October 27, 2011 (I).
——— and ———. “Conrad Murray Drug Expert May Hold Key to Doctor’s Defense.” LATimes.com, October 28, 2011 (I).
VERDICT AND SENTENCING
Avila, Jim, Alyssa Newcomb, and Luchina Fisher. “Michael Jackson Doctor Will Serve Only Half of Sentence.” abcnews.go.com, November 29, 2011 (I).
Blankstein, Andrew. “Conrad Murray Trial: Odds ‘Heavily Stacked’ Toward Guilty, Experts Say.” LATimes.com, November 7, 2011 (I).
“Conrad Murray—I’m Glad I Did That Documentary.” TMZ, November 30, 2011 (I).
Dolak, Kevin, Jim Avila, and Christina Ng. “Conrad Murray Verdict: Will He Go to Prison?” abcnews.go.com, November 8, 2011 (I).
Duke, Alan. “Conrad Murray Sentenced to Four Years Behind Bars.” CNN, November 30, 2011 (I).
Esquivel, Paloma. “Conrad Murray: Occupy L.A. Protesters Go to Courthouse.” LATimes.com, November 7, 2011 (I).
Kasindorf, Martin. “Conrad Murray Sentenced to Four Years in Jackson death.” USA Today, November 30, 2011.
Kim, Victoria, and Harriet Ryan. “Conrad Murray Guilty in Death of Michael Jackson.” LATimes.com, November 7, 2011 (I).
“latoyajackson: Verdict is FINALLY IN!!!” twitter.com, November 7, 2011 (I).
“Michael Jackson’s Estate Demands MSNBC ax Conrad Murray Documentary.” LATimes.com, November 9, 2011 (I).
“Murray Talks About the Day Jackson Died in MSNBC Ddocumentary.” entertaiment.msnbc.com, November 8, 2011 (I).
Rojas, Rick. “Conrad Murray Trial: Colorful Crowd Awaits Verdict at Courthouse.” LATimes.com, November 7, 2011 (I).
Smith, Ethan. “Conrad Murray Trial: How Michael Jackson’s Family Is Holding Up.” blogs.wsj.com, September 28, 2011 (I).
POSTTRIAL/ROUNDUP/THE USUAL SUSPECTS
Crawford, Bridget J., Joshua C. Tate, Mitchell M. Gans, and Jonathan G. Blattmachr. “Celebrity, Death and Taxes: Michael Jackson’s Estate.” Tax Notes, October 19, 2009.
Dimond, Diane. “Michael Jackson Dermatologist Arnold Klein Under Investigation.” Daily Beast, December 5, 2011 (I).
Friedman, Roger. “Brian Oxman Disbarred, Former Michael Jackson Lawyer —Sort Of.” Showbiz411.com, July 6, 2012 (I).
———. “Michael Jackson’s Ex-Lawyers: One a Hero, the Other Disbarred.” Showbiz.411.com, July 9, 2012 (I).
Heger, Jen. “Bankrupt Dr. Arnold Klein Auctioning Off Michael Jackson, Liz Taylor Memorabilia.” Radaronline.com, January 2, 2012 (I).
———. “Michael Jackson’s Bankrupt Former Dermatologist Accused of Stiffing Landlord.” Radaronline.com, May 16, 2012 (I).
“Liberace’s Former Lover Details Romance.” Etonline.com, May 2, 2012 (I).
Mather, Kate. “Michael Jackson’s Former Manager Pleads Guilty to Tax Charges.” LATimes.com, June 22, 2011 (I).
Perpetua, Matthew. “Michael Jackson’s Dermatologist Investigated by Medical Board: Dr. Arnold Klein May Have Overprescribed Demerol to the Late Pop Star.” Rollingstone.com, December 5, 2011 (I).
Ryan, Harriet. “A-List Doctor’s Star Has Faded.” Los Angeles Times, January 1, 2012.
———. “Prosecutor Rejects Case over Michael Jackson Artwork.” Los Angeles Times, June 22, 2012.
JACKSON FAMILY’S DISCONTENT/ESTATE/PERRY SANDERS
“Janet Jackson Divorce Drama.” Thesmokinggun.com, January 1, 2002 (I).
“Michael Jackson Estate Judge Approves Move to Sell Michael’s House.” TMZ.com, February 23, 2012 (I).
“Michael Jackson Estate to Katherine Jackson—Here’s SIX MILLION.” TMZ, October 5, 2011 (I).
“Michael Jackson Estate Will Work with Pepsi Again to Promote the Bad Album’s Re-Release.” Contactmusic.com, May 4, 2012 (I).
“Michael Jackson Sued for $1 Billion in Weird, Handwritten Lawsuit.” TMZ, June 7, 2012 (I).
“MJ Estate to Lloyd’s of London: This Is It. Now Pay Up!” TMZ, August 17, 2011 (I).
THIRD ANNIVERSARY/MJ’S CHILDREN/MURRAY FROM JAIL
DeGeneres, Ellen. “Ellen Talks to Paris Jackson About Growing Up.” NBC, December 15, 2011 (RT).
Fiddes to the Globe via “Michael Jackson Bodyguard Matt Fiddes Claims He’s Blanket’s Father, Fights for Visitation Rights.” blog.music.aol.com, April 26, 2012 (I).
Fiddes to the Globe via “Michael Jackson’s Bodyguard to Fight for Blanket Visitation Rights.” contactmusic.com, April 27, 2012 (I).
Goldberg, Stephanie. “Family, Fans Mark Michael Jackson’s Death Three Years Later.” cnn.com, June 25, 2012 (I).
“Lenny Dykstra, Conrad Murray, James DeBarge—Jailbird Homies.” TMZ.com, May 6, 2012 (I).
“Michael Jackson Remembered by Brothers.” Daily Telegraph, June 25, 2012.
Newman, Judith. “Janet Jackson, Living Joyfully.” Prevention, May 2012.
Winfrey, Oprah. “Oprah Interviews Paris Jackson and 50 Cent.” OWN, June 17, 2012 (RT).
KATHERINE JACKSON’S DISAPPEARANCE AND RETURN
“‘Drugged’ Katherine Jackson Demanded That Heads Roll.” TMZ, July 25, 2012 (I).
Duke, Alan. “Conrad Murray Invites Katherine Jackson to Visit Him in Jail.” cnn.com, July 27, 2012 (I).
Friedman, Roger. “LAPD Sheriff: Two Jackson Family Members in ‘Minor Scuffle’ at Home.” Showbiz411.com, July 23, 2012 (I). (These articles by Friedman are cited chronologically.)
———. “Katherine Jackson Lawyers: ‘Plan in Place for Three Years to Remove Her from Her Home and Grandchildren.” Showbiz411.com, July 24, 2012 (I).
———. “Guardian Gambit Worked: Katherine Jackson on Way Back to Los Angeles.” Showbiz411.com, July 25, 2012 (I).
———. “Katherine Jackson Speaks to Grandchildren at Last!” Showbiz411.com, July 25, 2012 (I).
———. “Katherine Jackson Suspended as Grandkids’ Guardian.” Showbiz411.com, July 25, 2012 (I).
———. “Someone’s Lying About Katherine Jackson: Miraval Allows Cell Phones and Has Landlines in Every Room.” Showbiz411.com, July 25, 2012 (I).
———. “TJ Jackson Is Named in Will as Successor Guardian.” Showbiz411.com, July 25, 2012 (I).
———. “Katherine Jackson Arrives Home: 82 Year Old Driven 516 Miles Overnight.” Showbiz411.com, July 26, 2012 (I).
———. “Katherine Jackson reads ‘Hostage Statement’ and ABC News Lets Her.” Showbiz411.com, July 26, 2012 (I).
———. “Will Katherine Jackson Understand What Happened? The Family Lives in Denial.” Showbiz411.com, July 26, 2012 (I).
———. “Lawyer: Katherine Jackson ‘Laughed’ at Report of Stroke.”
Showbiz411.com, July 27, 2012 (I).
———. “Katherine Jackson Will Let Grandson TJ Be the Permanent Co-Guardian of Michael’s Kids.” Showbiz411.com, July 27, 2012 (I).
———. “Michael Jackson Estate Bars Randy, Jermaine, Janet, Rebbie and Joe Jackson from Kids’ Home.” Showbiz411.com, July 30, 2012 (I).
———. “Katherine Jackson Tells Court About Kidnapping: iPad Taken Away, Room Phone Disconnected.” Showbiz411.com, August 2, 2012 (I).
Watkins, Jade. “‘She Is Just Heartbroken’: Katherine Jackson Does Not Want to See Her Children Janet, Randy and Rebbie Following Family Drama.” Daily Mail, August 13, 2012.