The battle over the cost of Michael Jackson's memorial has officially begun -- as an L.A. city councilman and the president of AEG traded licks today about who's responsible for the ceremony's hefty price tag.



Councilman Dennis Zine told KTTV today that taxpayers "are getting ripped off" because AEG made $50,000 by charging the media to use risers outside the venue. Zine said AEG should grow a pair and cough up some cash.

AEG President Tim Leiweke immediately swung back, saying Zine was out of line because the company helped secure funds for the L.A. Lakers championship parade last month.

So the question is...

The deadline to pick up Michael Jackson memorial tickets is causing a frenzy, because some of the ticket holders -- especially those who live out of state -- can't make it to the ticket counter by the 6PM deadline.

Right now, anyone who was selected to attend must present the voucher for their tickets by 6PM at Dodger Stadium.

An AEG spokesman tells us they've been receiving complaints and are now considering pushing the deadline.

Stay tuned...

A spokesperson for Lloyd's of London tells us she's never heard of a case where her company has insured someone for a drug overdose.

AEG, the company that was promoting Jackson's London concerts, claimed yesterday the policy it took out from Lloyd's did not cover death from natural causes but did cover overdoses.

Louise Shield -- the head of communications for Lloyd's of London -- tells us such a policy is "odd" and that she's never heard the company insuring for drug overdoses.

What's more -- Shield says the company typically requires a "medical assessment" .... a physical before the policy is written.

As we first reported, Jackson's body had dozens of injection sites in various places. So the question -- how could a policy be issued with clear evidence of a problem?

Shield would not comment on the policy, and found it strange AEG discussed it publicly. She's not saying if overdoses were covered or not.

AEG and reps for the Jackson family just announced a memorial service for Michael Jackson will take place at the Staples Center on Tuesday at 10:00 AM.

11,000 tickets will be distributed free of charge to the general public -- a press conference will be held tomorrow morning to address the situation further.

Over a minute of footage from Michael Jackson's tour rehearsal -- taken just two days before he died -- has been released by AEG, showing the legend rocking out to his song "They Don't Care About Us."

AEG has promised a full refund for tickets to Michael Jackson's 50 London concert dates -- if you bought your tickets through an "authorized dealer."



In a statement that was set to be released in a couple of hours -- that somehow leaked -- AEG promises "the refunds will be processed by each of the authorised ticket agencies (e.g. Ticketmaster, Viagogo, See or Ticketline)."

And the statement says fans "will have the option to be sent the actual tickets" for the show. Translation -- one hell of an expensive keepsake.

Michael Jackson bought some pretty expensive art two weeks before he died.



On June 11, Jackson purchased a picture of the Wicked Witch of the West, a painting called "The Donut Queen," and a painting called "Play Ball." The artist for all three works was Nelson De La Nuez. Jackson plunked down $13,000 for the three items, which were delivered to his home on June 15.

We're told Jackson was "obsessed" with the Wicked Witch painting.

Here's the weirdest part. Someone from AEG handled the money side of the transaction. We have the bank wire -- AEG dealt directly with the art seller.