TMZ was at LAX yesterday when Debbie Rowe and Michael Jackson's former confidante Marc Schaffel boarded an American Airlines flight to Tokyo.



The two are tight, and Schaffel apparently still has strong connections to the Jackson family, even though MJ and Schaffel had a major falling out and ended up suing each other.

Schaffel shot an interview with Katherine recently to promote her book, "Never Can Say Goodbye."

Rowe was mum at LAX, but Schaffel said he's been friends with Katherine for a long time.

As for why they're heading to Tokyo ... we're told Schaffel is releasing a documentary video he shot while he was working with Jackson.  It will play on 200 screens in Tokyo.

CLICK TO SEE VIDEO OF MARC AND DEBBIE AT LAX

Debbie Rowe just went head-to-head with a photographer who claims she defamed him by allegedly lying about an altercation between them in July -- and the case is now in the hands of a judge.



Moments ago in Lancaster, Ca. court, freelance photographer Ed Frommer accused Rowe of slander, libel and defamation -- and wants $7,500 in damages.

Rowe testified Frommer hounded her, repeatedly trespassing on her property, and denies defaming the dude.

The judge took the case under submission.

A photographer who is suing Debbie Rowe claims he was attacked with a bat by three men who were yelling, "Leave Debbie alone."

Photog Ed Frommer is suing Rowe, claiming she defamed him by "lying" to police by saying he intentionally scratched her face and struck her. Frommer has sued Rowe for $7,500 in small claims court.

Frommer told cops on Sunday at 11:15 PM in Lancaster, CA, three males began following him in two different cars and ran him off the road. Frommer told police they got out of their cars -- one of them wielding a bat and poking him in the chest. They were yelling, "Leave Debbie alone."

Frommer doesn't think Debbie Rowe is behind it, but believes there are rabid Michael Jackson fans out to get him.

A photographer who had a physical run-in with Debbie Rowe back in July is now suing Michael Jackson's ex-wife in small claims court.


It's all over an incident that went down in front of a Chinese restaurant in Lancaster, California right after MJ died -- in which a swarm of paparazzi swarmed Rowe asking about the kids. Rowe lashed out at one photog, "Are you ready to have your butt kicked?"

Now, that photog, Ed Frommer, wants $7,500 in damages from Rowe -- claiming she lied to police, telling them he scratched her face, pulled her arm and struck her in the back.

Frommer tells us, "You can see from the video, I didn't touch her face" adding, "anything that happened was not intentional."

Frommer claims his reputation has taken some serious hits from the incident and he can't get work. The hearing is scheduled for January.

It's the ultimate irony -- Michael Jackson's death could make his struggling estate flush with cash.

It's simple math. Jackson spent millions of dollars every year. He was paying $100,000 a month just for renting the Holmby Hills house.

We're told the bottom line could get significantly better and quickly.

That brings up an obvious point -- with significant child support on the line, there's even more of an incentive for Debbie Rowe to fight for custody. If she does, there will be an epic fight between Rowe and Katherine Jackson.

Jacko's ex-wife, Debbie Rowe, is quite a cowgirl. A denim-clad Deb clearly demonstrated her connection with creatures -- petting her dog and mounting a horse.


Rowe ge$tated Jackson's first two children, Prince Michael and Paris.

Her days as Michael Jackson's incubator are long over, but the paparazzi still pursue former medical office assistant Debbie Rowe.

The plump former Mrs. Jacko was caught by photogs at LAX, and while most celebs run and hide, Rowe struck up a jolly conversation with one of the shutterbugs.

The mother of Jackson's two oldest (and perpetually masked and wrapped) children asked a photog about his Thanksgiving and joked about there hopefully being someone better coming off the plane for the waiting paparazzi.

Rowe, who is now a horse trainer, told the cameras, "We're hoping for a couple boys (horses) this year." Michael Jackson has a boy ... er, and a girl, with Rowe.