Posted Dec 23rd 2009 12:30PM by TMZ Staff
Only in Hollywood, could a doctor who's being investigated in the death of Michael Jackson score a gig to star in a international TV special.
TMZ has learned Dr. Conrad Murray struck a deal with a British documentary crew to shoot footage of the Doc during his first day back on the job in Houston on November 23, 2009. We're told the footage was shot for an upcoming one-episode TV special.
A spokesman for Dr. Murray tells us the production company was "interested in the reaction of patients to his return." We're told the crew followed Murray around for the entire day, as he rolled by his office and his church.
The spokesman tells us Dr. Murray hasn't received a dime for his work -- yet ... but he will get paid an unspecified amount once the special airs.
One problem -- Dr. Murray is refusing to allow the company to air the project until the Michael Jackson investigation is complete. The spokesman tells us the wait could last "a couple of years."
And just to be safe, Murray's camp claims they're holding all of the footage.
The spokesman adds, "Dr. Murray is currently working 12 hour days ... to pay off his [child support] debt."
Filed under: Michael Jackson
Tags: british, documentary, dr. conrad murray, Dr.ConradMurray, investigation, jacko, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, mj, propofol, reality show, RealityShow, tv special, TvSpecial
Posted Dec 22nd 2009 12:46PM by TMZ Staff
The FBI apparently went around the world trying to make a case against Michael Jackson for alleged child molestation.
According to documents just released by the FBI, in 1993 the LAPD and Santa Barbara County Sheriff's deputies "Plan to travel to Manila, Philippines... for the purpose of interviewing (names deleted) concerning their knowledge of accusations against Michael Jackson of sexual abuse of young boys."
We know the people sought to be interviewed were a man and woman who had worked at Neverland from 1988 - 1990 and allegedly witnessed molestation.
According to docs, an FBI special agent was involved in the Manila trip.
And another doc states a legal attache for the U.S. Embassy in London was sending information back home regarding sexual misconduct by Jackson in England ... specifically, a phone call to a teenage boy.
Filed under: Michael Jackson, Jackson FBI Files
Tags: case, documents, extortion, fbi, file, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, MJ, molestation, molestation trial, MolestationTrial, neverland, santa barbara county sheriff, SantaBarbaraCountySheriff
Posted Dec 22nd 2009 12:29PM by TMZ Staff
UPDATE: In our document search, we just found out why the FBI was involved in the Michael Jackson molestation case. According to one of the docs, the LAPD Sexually Exploited Child Unit contacted the FBI in 1993, asking the agency if it would be "interested in working a possible federal violation against Jackson concerning the transportation of a minor across state lines for immoral purposes."
The FBI was secretly involved in the child molestation case against Michael Jackson, according to documents just released by the agency.
In July, 2004, a memo was drafted stating that the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's investigation produced "collateral investigative issues, some of which potentially rise to the level of Federal Violations, in the New York and Miami Divisions as well as the Los Angeles Division." The memo does not elaborate on the nature of the alleged offenses.
According to the docs, FBI special agents from L.A., New York and Miami were assigned to assist Santa Barbara county prosecutors in their case against Jackson -- a case in which Jackson was found not guilty.
The memo says the special agents and prosecutors spent time discussing various strategies in the case.
There are also documents showing the FBI was involved in the 1993 molestation investigation. In one doc, there are notes which state Jackson was riding in a train with a boy whom Jackson identified as his cousin. The notes say, "He was very possessive of boy," and at night on the train a witness "heard questionable noises through wall."
Filed under: Michael Jackson, Jackson FBI Files
Tags: case, documents, extortion, fbi, files, LAPD, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, molestation, molestation trial, MolestationTrial, santa barbara D.A., SantaBarbaraD.a.
Posted Dec 22nd 2009 12:06PM by TMZ Staff
The man who threatened to kill Michael Jackson believed he was married to Janet Jackson -- and law enforcement sources tell TMZ it was Janet that the man was obsessed over.
A law enforcement source tells TMZ the man also made threats to kill Janet and even showed up at the Jackson family home in Encino.
In his rambling letters, the man -- Frank Paul Jones -- says "The situation ... is centered around her confused sexuality." He goes on to say if she does not "overcome" her issue over sexuality, "I'm gonna try to kill every homosexual on the face of the earth. If I can't save my wife, they can't be saved."
Filed under: Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Jackson FBI Files
Tags: case, documents, extortion, fbi, files, frank paul jones, FrankPaulJones, janet jackson, JanetJackson, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, molestation, obsessed, sexuality, stalker
Posted Dec 22nd 2009 11:48AM by TMZ Staff
The person who threatened to kill Michael Jackson unless he got money also threatened to slaughter people at a Michael Jackson concert, according to documents just released by the FBI .. and it all appears to be a scheme to get a woman to notice him.
The person who wrote the threatening letters says, "I'll commit mass murder at a Michael Jackson concert if necessary, in an attempt to murder Michael, then you will have to deal with my situation in the public eye."
It appears from the letters the writer wants mobster John Gotti to fork over money and if he doesn't ... the writer threatens to kill Michael.
The person who wrote the letters appears to be obsessed with a woman and is making these threats to get her attention. Some of the letters were written to newspapers. He says, "I'm 33 years old and never had a real relationship in my life. I can't even slow dance."
The man was arrested on May 22, 1992 outside the White House. He was released on June 4, 1992, and one day later made threats to kill Michael Jackson.
Filed under: Michael Jackson, Jackson FBI Files
Tags: death, death threats, DeathThreats, documents, extortion, fbi, files, john gotti, JohnGotti, kill, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, MJ, molestation, released, white house, WhiteHouse
Posted Dec 22nd 2009 11:38AM by TMZ Staff
Someone threatened to kill Michael Jackson, and then-President George H.W. Bush, according to FBI documents just released.
Someone wrote a letter on July 6, 1992, that the FBI obtained, stating, "I decided that because nobody is taking me serious, and I can't handle my state of mind, that I am going to Washington D.C. to threaten to kill the President of the United States, George Bush."
It goes on ..."Michael [Jackson] I will personally attempt to kill, if he doesn't pay me my money."
One of the documents, written by the L.A. City Attorney's office, indicated on June 22, 1992, the author of the letter "arrives in Calif at Jackson's . Threatens to kill."
The FBI says the person who wrote the letter was charged with extortion, pled guilty and was sentenced to prison in 1993.
Filed under: Michael Jackson, Jackson FBI Files
Tags: case, DC, death, death threats, DeathThreats, documents, extortion, fbi, george H.W. bush, GeorgeH.w.Bush, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, President
Posted Dec 21st 2009 1:18PM by TMZ Staff
The FBI will not release Michael Jackson documents relating to the molestation investigations as well as extortion attempts -- at least not today.
The 333 pages of formerly-classified documents were supposed to be released today but the snow in Washington D.C. has caused a delay of at least one day.
As for what's in the documents ... sources tell TMZ during the 1993 Michael Jackson child molestation investigation, the late great Johnnie Cochran contacted the FBI, claiming the accuser's family was trying to extort money from Jackson with false allegations. It's likely Cochran's contact with the agency will show up when the documents are released.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Tags: anthony pellicano, AnthonyPellicano, child molestation, ChildMolestation, documents, extortion, extortion attempt, ExtortionAttempt, fbi, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, release, snow storm, SnowStorm, washington d.c., washington dc, WashingtonD.c., WashingtonDc
Posted Dec 21st 2009 11:30AM by TMZ Staff
Michael Jackson's estate executors want to breathe new life into an incredibly valuable asset -- the heavily-collateralized MIJAC Music Catalog.
The Catalog -- valued this year at around $100 million -- was used by Michael Jackson to secure at least two big loans.
According to legal docs obtained by TMZ, co-executors John Branca and John McClain have entered into negotiations with a bank to restructure the two loans with more favorable terms. The new terms could save the estate a fortune.
Filed under: Music, Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Tags: executors, john branca, john mcclain, JohnBranca, JohnMcclain, michael jackson, michael jackson estate, MichaelJackson, MichaelJacksonEstate, mijac music catalog, MijacMusicCatalog, money
Posted Dec 19th 2009 11:50AM by TMZ Staff
The Federal Bureau of Investigation will release 333 pages of Michael Jackson's formerly-classified file on Monday morning. Can we interest you in a little light reading?
The documents will relate to his 1993 and 2004 child molestation cases -- as well as any case Michael Jackson was the victim of ... including threats and extortion attempts. Nothing about Dr. Conrad Murray or Michael's death will be in the files.
Our guess -- the extortion attempts will be the most interesting.
The FBI did a similar thing back in October concerning files involving Anna Nicole Smith and a possible plot to kill the son of her 89-year-old husband, J. Howard Marshall II.
Filed under: Michael Jackson
Tags: classified, de-classified, extortion, fbi, file, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, molestation
Posted Dec 18th 2009 4:20AM by TMZ Staff
La Toya Jackson is in the holiday spirit ... to bash Chris Brown and Tiger Woods.
The Jackson sister was out buying holiday gifts at Target (pronounced Tar-jay) and when she came across Chris Brown's album, she picked up Rihanna's instead out of spite.
The next item on her list? A golf club to give to Tiger's wife.
Filed under: Music, Holidaze, Michael Jackson
Tags: chris brown, ChrisBrown, la toya jackson, LaToyaJackson, michael jackson, MichaelJackson, rihanna, tiger woods, TigerWoods
Posted Dec 17th 2009 2:49PM by TMZ Staff
The executors of Michael Jackson's estate have filed documents, explaining why they should be entitled to more than the statutory fee most executors get -- a big reason ... Joe Jackson.
According to legal docs filed with the court, co-executors John Branca and John McClain had to defend the estate from a steady barrage of attacks by Joe Jackson and, until recently, by Katherine Jackson.
They also claim they've been working 14 hours a day, 7 days a week since they were appointed. And, they claim, their "business reputations and the character and reputation of Michael Jackson were repeatedly assaulted by personal and unfounded attacks" which they were forced to correct publicly in order to protect the Michael Jackson brand.
Branca and McClain say at the time Michael Jackson died ... Michael and his businesses were defendants in 11 separate lawsuits and it only got worse after his death.
Branca and McClain want more than the statutory fee -- which is a percentage of the value of the estate. They're asking for "extraordinary compensation" for the work most executors never have to do.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Tags: estate, fees, joe jackson, JoeJackson, john branca, john mcclain, JohnBranca, JohnMcclain, katherine jackson, KatherineJackson, michael jackson, michael jackson estate, MichaelJackson, MichaelJacksonEstate, probate, probate3, will
Posted Dec 17th 2009 12:35AM by TMZ Staff
Note to La Toya Jackson: Buying nighties for the kids is a great Christmas gift, but we're not talking nighties from Frederick's of Hollywood. Then again, they're Michael Jackson's kids.
Merry Christmas to all ... and to all a nightie night!
UPDATE: La Toya's rep called. Ms. Jackson didn't say what she meant. L.J. was at Frederick's buying a sexy Santa costume to wear at a toy giveaway for children and families affected with AIDS/HIV.
Filed under: Holidaze, Michael Jackson
Tags: Blanket Jackson, BlanketJackson, christmas, Fredericks of Hollywood, FredericksOfHollywood, La Toya Jackson, LaToyaJackson, Michael Jackson, MichaelJackson, nightie, panties, Paris Jackson, ParisJackson, Prince Jackson, PrinceJackson, underwear
Posted Dec 15th 2009 7:47PM by TMZ Staff
Michael Jackson's estate has not paid the Special Administrators a penny, but the day has now come -- at least according to new court docs filed by John Branca and John McClain.
The two men -- now officially the Executors of Michael Jackson's estate, are asking for 70% of the fees they have earned, pending court approval of the full amount.
The papers do not specify the amount Branca and McClain want. They do say that they want the statutory amount of executor fees for the first $25 million of the estate -- that fee comes to $188,000. But the estate is valued far in excess of $25 mil and the two Executors would be entitled to a portion of that as well. In addition, Branca and McClain also want fees "for their extraordinary services," though that amount is not specified.
According to the new documents, fees some of the law firms connected with the estate are asking for are huge. For example, the law firm of Greenberg Traurig wants $1,547,064.50. The firm of Hoffman, Sabban & Watenmaker wants $957,644. The firm of Kinsella, Weitzman, Iser, Kump & Aldisert wants $420,062.50.
Filed under: Celebrity Justice, Michael Jackson, Exclusives
Tags: attorneys fees, AttorneysFees, executor, fees, john branca, john mcclain, JohnBranca, JohnMcclain, michael jackson, michael jackson estate, MichaelJackson, MichaelJacksonEstate, probate, special administrator, SpecialAdministrator
