Jacko to Schaffel -- You're A Gay Porn WHAT?!?

1. Shocked..... Whatever!

Posted at 3:07PM on Jul 10th 2006 by N

2. Give me a break!! If you are in a business relationship with any type of person, you would obviously know something about their background!! He can't honestly say he didn't know he was a gay porn director!! And we question why he doesn't live in the United States anymore?

Posted at 3:22PM on Jul 10th 2006 by jennifer

3. Michael Jackson is the biggest liar. He lies about everything. Does he really think we aren't that smart?

Posted at 4:24PM on Jul 10th 2006 by georgia

4. Surely Levin, at least get the facts straight. Schaffel originally file a suit for 3.8 million. The judge said not so fast you can't prove that, it was cut to 1.6million and from that they still can't prove 900K. By the time this trail is over Schaffel could be paying Michael Jackson 2.4M instead or it might end in nothing for either side:

Here's a more informative article: One that is not tabloid-ish like Levin and gives a summary of what has happened in court so far.
**************************************************************************************
Jackson begs to differ over cash claims
By Michael J. Tittinger
Daily Press Staff Writer

SM COURTHOUSE — The defense of Michael Jackson began in earnest on Friday in the $1.6 million lawsuit brought against the entertainer by a former associate, a day highlighted by bizarre twists such as cash loans smelling of French fries and a $1 million gift given by the singer to late actor Marlon Brando.

The jury began the day watching hours of videotaped testimony by Jackson, who repeatedly said he couldn’t remember the details, financial or otherwise, of his dealings with F. Marc Schaffel, a former producer of adult films.

Schaffel, who claims he was empowered to negotiate creative projects for Jackson in return for a percentage of the profits, was let go in 2001 after Jackson learned he was involved in the adult entertainment business. He then was back on the scene in 2003 and claims he is due unpaid royalties from a pair of TV specials.

Schaffel was recalled to the stand quickly by Jackson’s attorney Thomas C. Mundell to account for all of the money Schaffel claims he is owed by Jackson.

Schaffel originally claimed in his lawsuit that Jackson owed him $3.8 million for cash advances he made to the entertainer, as well as royalties and other services. He has since reduced his claim to $1.6 million.

At issue is whether or not Jackson understood that the money he was being given was his own or a loan. Schaffel claims it was money that was owed to him for his work while Jackson believes the cash was generated by his own projects. Employees and business associates like Schaffel had access to Jackson’s money and often forwarded him large amounts of cash.

Schaffel claims that he was a trusted advisor of Jackson’s and had access to accounts set up for entertainment projects.

Mundell has sought to portray Schaffel as a hanger-on who parlayed his friendship with Jackson into a means of supporting his exorbitant lifestyle.

“Mr. Schaffel has not proven his case,” Mundell told the jury at the outset of his defense. “Over the years, Mr. Jackson entrusted $7 million to Mr. Schaffel solely for Michael Jackson projects or for Mr. Jackson’s benefits.

“If you loan someone money and you already have their money, then you are suing them for their own money.”

Jackson repeatedly denied in his deposition any knowledge of his business dealings with Schaffel. When pressed by Schaffel’s attorney, Howard King, Jackson couldn’t remember the circumstances surrounding cash loans, contract negotiations and bundles of money for shopping sprees.

Jackson said he was under the impression that any money Schaffel gave him over the years came from the singer’s own funds, according to the May 22 interview with King, including an alleged payment of $100,000 delivered in an Arby’s bag.

The two subsequently used the term “French fries” to refer to cash advances.

The singer also claimed he couldn’t remember giving Schaffel instructions to run errands, such as paying $1 million to Brando, whom Jackson considered a friend, for the actor’s appearance at Madison Square Garden show in September 2001.

“(Schaffel) would always say, ‘I could get you this, I could get you that. I could get you some money up front,’” said Jackson, appearing in a Navy blue shirt from London. “He was always saying that ... like begging it.

“I would never ask him for his money. That’s ridiculous.”

Jackson, who will not appear at the trial in person, denied he had rehired Schaffel in 2003 to produce TV specials for Fox, after the two had parted ways in late 2001 when Schaffel’s history in gay pornography came to light.

Jackson said he didn’t personally fire Schaffel then because he didn’t want to embarrass him.

Soon after taking the stand in the afternoon, Schaffel was asked about his real estate dealings, admitting that he had been convicted of unlawfully retaining a property he subletted on which rent hadn’t been paid. He also acknowledged he had taken out a second mortgage worth $350,000 to purchase a house in Calabasas in 2002.

But when pressed whether or not he was in financial peril before striking a deal with Fox to produce a pair of Michael Jackson documentaries, Schaffel denied the allegations. In testimony earlier in the trial, Schaffel implied that he was well off before ever hooking up with the Jackson camp.

On several occasions in the testimony played Friday, Jackson said that if it were proven that Schaffel gave him cash from his own holdings — and not money generated by Jackson’s entertainment projects — Schaffel should be reimbursed, but the singer added that Schaffel “never insinuated (the money) was his and I don't believe it to be his.”

“Nobody just gives me money,” said Jackson, who denied that his finances were in upheaval in 2003. “I would expect it if it was mine. I wouldn’t just take it from somebody. That’s not right. I work for what I get.

“Don’t make like I’m begging from anybody. I have pride.”

Jackson also laughed when it was suggested Schaffel lent him $375,000 in May 2003 to go shopping.

“It sounds spoiled. It doesn’t sound like me, no,” Jackson responded.

The trial, which began last Thursday and is expected to last up to 10 days, will continue on Monday in Santa Monica before LA Superior Court Judge Jacqueline A. Connor.

Jacqueline Lee contributed to the reporting of this article.
http://www.smdp.com/article/articles/1906/...ver-cash-claims
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Levin I gather you're not going to be there for the defense are you? The thought of that must eat you up inside... I'm sure Mundell moved on without ya....

Posted at 4:31PM on Jul 10th 2006 by veeno1

5. Surely Levin, at least get the facts right. Schaffel sued for 3.8M originally but even before the trial began the judge said, well not so fast, and cut that amount by more than half to 1.6M and even for that amount Schaffel and his lawyer can't prove 900K of it and the rest is disputed. To make matters worse Schaffel actually owes MJ more than 2M. Schaffel is losing his case so now he's starting to smear MJ trying to save face..... LOL! Greed and Ego this is where it takes people....

here's an objective article (not tabloid-ish like Levin's) that summarizes what has happened in court the past few days.... The defense is presenting its case now.

**********************************************************************************
Jackson begs to differ over cash claims
By Michael J. Tittinger
Daily Press Staff Writer

SM COURTHOUSE — The defense of Michael Jackson began in earnest on Friday in the $1.6 million lawsuit brought against the entertainer by a former associate, a day highlighted by bizarre twists such as cash loans smelling of French fries and a $1 million gift given by the singer to late actor Marlon Brando.

The jury began the day watching hours of videotaped testimony by Jackson, who repeatedly said he couldn’t remember the details, financial or otherwise, of his dealings with F. Marc Schaffel, a former producer of adult films.

Schaffel, who claims he was empowered to negotiate creative projects for Jackson in return for a percentage of the profits, was let go in 2001 after Jackson learned he was involved in the adult entertainment business. He then was back on the scene in 2003 and claims he is due unpaid royalties from a pair of TV specials.

Schaffel was recalled to the stand quickly by Jackson’s attorney Thomas C. Mundell to account for all of the money Schaffel claims he is owed by Jackson.

Schaffel originally claimed in his lawsuit that Jackson owed him $3.8 million for cash advances he made to the entertainer, as well as royalties and other services. He has since reduced his claim to $1.6 million.

At issue is whether or not Jackson understood that the money he was being given was his own or a loan. Schaffel claims it was money that was owed to him for his work while Jackson believes the cash was generated by his own projects. Employees and business associates like Schaffel had access to Jackson’s money and often forwarded him large amounts of cash.

Schaffel claims that he was a trusted advisor of Jackson’s and had access to accounts set up for entertainment projects.

Mundell has sought to portray Schaffel as a hanger-on who parlayed his friendship with Jackson into a means of supporting his exorbitant lifestyle.

“Mr. Schaffel has not proven his case,” Mundell told the jury at the outset of his defense. “Over the years, Mr. Jackson entrusted $7 million to Mr. Schaffel solely for Michael Jackson projects or for Mr. Jackson’s benefits.

“If you loan someone money and you already have their money, then you are suing them for their own money.”

Jackson repeatedly denied in his deposition any knowledge of his business dealings with Schaffel. When pressed by Schaffel’s attorney, Howard King, Jackson couldn’t remember the circumstances surrounding cash loans, contract negotiations and bundles of money for shopping sprees.

Jackson said he was under the impression that any money Schaffel gave him over the years came from the singer’s own funds, according to the May 22 interview with King, including an alleged payment of $100,000 delivered in an Arby’s bag.

The two subsequently used the term “French fries” to refer to cash advances.

The singer also claimed he couldn’t remember giving Schaffel instructions to run errands, such as paying $1 million to Brando, whom Jackson considered a friend, for the actor’s appearance at Madison Square Garden show in September 2001.

“(Schaffel) would always say, ‘I could get you this, I could get you that. I could get you some money up front,’” said Jackson, appearing in a Navy blue shirt from London. “He was always saying that ... like begging it.

“I would never ask him for his money. That’s ridiculous.”

Jackson, who will not appear at the trial in person, denied he had rehired Schaffel in 2003 to produce TV specials for Fox, after the two had parted ways in late 2001 when Schaffel’s history in gay pornography came to light.

Jackson said he didn’t personally fire Schaffel then because he didn’t want to embarrass him.

Soon after taking the stand in the afternoon, Schaffel was asked about his real estate dealings, admitting that he had been convicted of unlawfully retaining a property he subletted on which rent hadn’t been paid. He also acknowledged he had taken out a second mortgage worth $350,000 to purchase a house in Calabasas in 2002.

But when pressed whether or not he was in financial peril before striking a deal with Fox to produce a pair of Michael Jackson documentaries, Schaffel denied the allegations. In testimony earlier in the trial, Schaffel implied that he was well off before ever hooking up with the Jackson camp.

On several occasions in the testimony played Friday, Jackson said that if it were proven that Schaffel gave him cash from his own holdings — and not money generated by Jackson’s entertainment projects — Schaffel should be reimbursed, but the singer added that Schaffel “never insinuated (the money) was his and I don't believe it to be his.”

“Nobody just gives me money,” said Jackson, who denied that his finances were in upheaval in 2003. “I would expect it if it was mine. I wouldn’t just take it from somebody. That’s not right. I work for what I get.

“Don’t make like I’m begging from anybody. I have pride.”

Jackson also laughed when it was suggested Schaffel lent him $375,000 in May 2003 to go shopping.

“It sounds spoiled. It doesn’t sound like me, no,” Jackson responded.

The trial, which began last Thursday and is expected to last up to 10 days, will continue on Monday in Santa Monica before LA Superior Court Judge Jacqueline A. Connor.

Jacqueline Lee contributed to the reporting of this article.
http://www.smdp.com/article/articles/1906/...ver-cash-claims
***************************************************************************************

Levin, so you won't be making an appearance in Santa Monica for the defense will you? you became a gossip and chose not be an upstanding citizen to do what is required of you ha?

Mundell is winning without you... that must eat you up bad...

Posted at 4:42PM on Jul 10th 2006 by veeno1

6. Pleez, MJ is so messed up, why can't we lock him up and get rid of this guy. Funny how all these other famous people survive this crap except him- DO YOU KNOW WHY? Bcuz they arent doing child porn etc and molesting kids. Ridiculous- this guy is a freak!!!!!
Yea, he made good music, but, now it's time to realize he is not right, his childhood etc has made him into what he is today, look at the rest of the family, honestly, I can't tell them apart. I think him, LaToya and Janet are the same person.

Posted at 4:50PM on Jul 10th 2006 by meyo

7. I could not resist refuting the comment that MJ lies about everything. It is nonsencical to imagine that any one could reach that goal. How much do you know about MJ to assert such falsehood?

Posted at 5:07PM on Jul 10th 2006 by Moo Sahe

8. The funniest part about this to me is that he describes the actual porno that his manager or w/e brought to him. So instead of reading the box credits he actually open up the porn, popped it in, saw the directer on the film, and then watched one guy grab the other's penis. And is it just me or in any type of film do they show the director actually directing... no

Posted at 6:31PM on Jul 10th 2006 by Ivan

9. It could have been worse. He could have been directing Paris Hilton.
As far as Michael being shocked, he has probably never seen pubic hair before.

Posted at 7:34PM on Jul 10th 2006 by Kevin

10. And just more proof that Schaffel is the scum of all, see todays AP article...

http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/monterey...ws/15007869.htm
Jackson defense in lawsuit targets plaintiff's backdated checks
LINDA DEUTSCH
Associated Press

SANTA MONICA, Calif. - In the days after being fired by Michael Jackson, former associate F. Marc Schaffel rushed to issue 18 backdated checks totaling $784,000, the pop star's attorney showed Monday.

Schaffel, who is suing Jackson for $1.6 million, testified in Superior Court that he wrote the checks for items including prepayment of $54,000 in rent on his home, prepayment of utilities and phone bills, and reimbursement for expenses such as camera rentals after he received the termination letter on Nov. 15, 2001.

Showing Schaffel one of the checks, Jackson attorney Thomas Mundell said, "And you dated it Nov. 14 because you knew if you dated it after that you would run into problems because of the termination?"

"Yes," said Schaffel.

Mundell asked, "Isn't it true you falsified books and records to try to get as much money as possible from Mr. Jackson before your termination?"

Schaffel replied, "I just didn't want to get caught holding the bag for expenses Mr. Jackson had agreed to."

He said he and Jackson had an agreement for Jackson to pay his expenses for six months subsequent to the date of termination.

"I wasn't sure with the jockeying that was going on with the advisers that part was going to happen," Schaffel said.

Schaffel also testified that, even after being informed he was being let go, he and Jackson remained friends and talked frequently about projects.

But Mundell produced an e-mail written by Schaffel to the man who introduced him to Jackson, Dr. Arnie Klein, which seemed to contradict that assertion.

The e-mail written on Jan. 30, 2002, said, "I am deeply saddened this has cost my friendship with Michael Jackson. ... I was the only one willing to fight for him all the time. I miss being able to help him. I miss my friend. All our projects have come to a stop."

Much of Monday's testimony consisted of Mundell showing ledgers and checks to Schaffel.

Schaffel continued to interject comments about a claim he made last week that Jackson wanted him to help find children in Brazil to adopt.

Mundell let the comments pass but pressed Schaffel to explain a charge of $300,000 to Jackson for money that Schaffel claimed to have delivered to a "Mr. X" in South America on the pop star's behalf.

"Payment was made from a bank account you had in Brazil?" asked Mundell.

"No," said Schaffel. "I had money in Brazil from an earlier transaction. It wasn't in the bank. It was in a safe."

"It was in a safe in Brazil?" Mundell asked.

"Yes," Schaffel said.

"I see," replied the attorney.

Mundell has previously pointed out that there is no receipt for the $300,000.

Posted at 7:36PM on Jul 10th 2006 by Kinushe

11. To Ivan: Marc Shaffel explained in Court than Jackson did not believe him when he eventually told him he directed gay porn films, that's why Shaffel got a personal video of him directing one of his films, popped it in himself and showed it to Jackson. Jackson never actually asked to see it.

And if ANY of you had watched this video instead of just believe what these liars are trying to make you believe, you would hear Jackson saying he was NOT shocked at what was going on the movie, but at the fact his friend was involved in it.

Posted at 7:56PM on Jul 10th 2006 by Jess

12. all anti -MJ's, piss of

Posted at 9:43PM on Jul 10th 2006 by Kean

13. It seems when two crooked perv's testify.. comedy insues..

Posted at 8:53AM on Jul 11th 2006 by dmumsie

14. Aw c'mon!

Posted at 1:32PM on Jul 11th 2006 by Colleen

15. I'm proud of Michael Jackson for coming forward and actually chosing to fight public battles instead of settling out of court. He's really taking personal responsibility for himself, and I'm really happy about it. I think the man can do no right to a lot of people, no matter what he says or does people are going to slam him. But I for one am glad he's putting himself out there and chosing not to silently let people kick him around anymore, it's getting old. This is the Michael Jackson I've wanted to see for a long time. I wish he'd done all this sooner.

Posted at 2:11AM on Jul 12th 2006 by Carla