Conrad Murray to Joe Jackson: You’re Outta Here!

Dr. Conrad Murray’s lawyer has filed a motion to dismiss Joe Jackson’s wrongful death lawsuit against him … TMZ has learned.

Murray’s lawyer, Charles Peckham, claims Joe’s attorney missed the statute of limitations and therefore the case — centering on the death of Michael Jackson — should be thrown out.

Peckham claims Joe’s lawyer, Brian Oxman, filed the lawsuit 158 days after the 1-year deadline.

News Source: TMZ

Joe Jackson — I Want A Half A Billion Bucks

Michael Jackson’s dad, Joe Jackson, wants somewhere between $10 million and $500 million from Dr. Conrad Murray to compensate him for the loss of his son’s support … this according to new documents obtained by TMZ.

In the docs — part of Joe’s wrongful death lawsuit — he claims the money he seeks is in “the realistic range of provable damages.”

Joe says 20% of his damages are for loss of support, 40% are for emotional distress and 40% are for “loss of comfort, aid, society and companionship.”

And this is huge … Dr. Murray says he’s broke and can’t settle anything because his insurance company is refusing to cover him.

Joe’s lawyer, Brian Oxman, also says he may take the depositions of more than 60 people who have info regarding Jackson’s death.

Dr. Murray says in his new filings he does not want to sit for a deposition until after the criminal case runs its course. It’s a whole 5th Amendment thing.

Source: TMZ

Katherine & Joe Jackson Do ‘Oprah’

Katherine and Joe Jackson sat down with Oprah Winfrey this weekend to tape a segment for O’s show … and TMZ has the first photos.

As we first reported, production trucks for Oprah’s show were parked outside the Jackson compound in Encino for the better part of Saturday. In the photos, Oprah can be seen meeting with several family members and getting the tour of the house.

We’re told the interview focused heavily on Michael Jackson (duh) — talking about his life, his kids and the book Katherine put together about his life.

No word yet on when the episode will air.

Source: TMZ

Joe Jackson — Spankings Kept Michael Out of Gangs

Joe Jackson says his heavy parental hand kept Michael Jackson away from gangs.

The interview with Joe was shot by Jacksonsecretvault.com over the summer and will be used as part of a movie Katherine Jackson is producing with Howard Mann.

In the clip, an interviewer asks Joe what he thinks about Michael’s past comments about Joe’s parenting — alluding to allegations of physical abuse. Joe says, “I had to be like that because when raising him, in those days, so many gangs out there getting into trouble, going to jail. Most of them are dead now. He didn’t have to worry about that.”

The interviewer also asked if Joe had any regrets, “No! They tried to make a big issue when I spanked Michael or some of the kids, ya know? Just like they didn’t spank their kids when they did wrong. The media twists everything.”

Indeed.

Source: TMZ

Joe Jackson has re-filed his wrongful death lawsuit against Dr. Conrad Murray — and now claims Dr. Murray and AEG staged an intervention with Michael Jackson one week before he died.

According to the new documents, representatives from AEG and Dr. Murray went to Michael Jackson’s home on N. Carolwood Drive on June 18, 2009 — and said they were there for a “drug intervention.”

The suit says during the meeting AEG demanded Michael “stop seeing Dr. Arnold Klein and stop taking the drugs Klein gave to him.” They instead wanted Michael to “take only the medications being given to him by Conrad Murray.”

The allegation is the intervention was intended to get Michael to adhere to Dr. Murray’s drug regimen so he could get more sleep. According to the suit, AEG thought Michael was missing rehearsals because of medications from Dr. Klein and other doctors.

Source: TMZ

Joe Jackson’s Attorney: Law is a Pain in the Butt

Practicing law is a pain in the ass, and Joe Jackson’s lawyer is living proof … because he literally broke his preparing legal docs in the Michael Jackson wrongful death case.

Attorney Brian Oxman was walking down a flight of stairs last week with his MJ appellate brief in hand.  The brief was in response to the judge’s threat to toss the wrongful death lawsuit because certain things were not alleged as required by law.

Oxman was going downstairs to hand a brief to the messenger … when he slipped and fell down the stairs and badly injured himself, forcing him to ask the court for a delay in getting the documents to the court.

For anyone who has practiced law, it’s a metaphor for the ages.

Source: TMZ

Conrad Murray Wrongful Death Suit Tossed … Almost

Dr. Conrad Murray could be temporarily off the hook in the federal wrongful death lawsuit involving Michael Jackson – all because Joe Jackson left some key information out of the paperwork.

TMZ has learned a federal judge is taking Jackson and his attorney Brian Oxman to task for failing to specify where two of the defendants — health clinics where Dr. Murray practiced — conduct their business.  Without that information the judge can’t determine if the federal court has jurisdiction over the case.

The judge has given Jackson one week to amend the complaint or have the suit tossed.

Even if this case is dismissed, Dr. Murray might not be fully in the clear. Jackson has a lot of options — including refiling the federal suit with Murray as the lone defendant.

Source: TMZ

Katherine and Joe Jackson are set to make a bundle off of their various Michael Jackson business ventures. But Katherine and her hubby haven’t figured out … someone is waiting in the wings to take away everything they make.

TMZ broke the story … Katherine and Joe owe more than $13 million to a South Korean newspaper — the Segye Times. The paper gave Joe, Katherine, and Jermaine a $5.5 million advance for a Jackson family concert series that never got off the ground. The newspaper sued in 1994, won a $4 mil judgment which has swelled with interest to more than $13 mil.

Edwin Bradley, a lawyer for the Segye Times tells TMZ, his client will go after anything Katherine and Joe make — and that includes profits from Katherine’s book, the movie projects she’s producing with Howard Mann (pictured right) — everything.

Ironically, Katherine’s allowance from the MJ estate could be in jeopardy, since she’s making money off of her son on the side. But the allowance could actually be protected from garnishment.

We’re told the newspaper will go to court on September 14 to try and wrestle money earmarked for Katherine from the MJ trust. Sources tell us, however, there is a big fat zero in the trust now, because the estate is in debt.

Bottom line … Whatever Katherine makes outside the estate will probably end up lining someone else’s pocket.

Source: TMZ

Joe Jackson Wrongful Death Suit Filed

Joe Jackson’s wrongful death lawsuit against Dr. Conrad Murray has been filed in federal court.

According to the records department at the federal court in downtown Los Angeles, the lawsuit has officially been filed.

As TMZ first reported, Joe is suing Conrad Murray for unspecified damages in connection with the death of Michael Jackson.

Source: TMZ

Chris Brown to Perform at Unofficial MJ Memorial

Chris Brown is scheduled to make a surprise performance at the mysterious unauthorized Michael Jackson memorial in Beverly Hills tomorrow … TMZ has learned.

According to multiple sources, Brown — who is not billed to appear — will perform at least one song … it’s unclear if it’s an original or if he’ll cover an MJ classic.

As we first reported, the unauthorized “Forever Michael” memorial — scheduled to go down at the Beverly Hilton – was never approved by the Jackson estate … yet for some strange reason, Katherine Jackson has given promoters her blessing.

Also set to perform — one of Joe Jackson’s business partners … and you can guess who probably made that deal.

Source: TMZ

Joe Jackson Sues Murray’s Clinics, Claims Cover-Up

Joe Jackson is not only going after Dr. Conrad Murray in the wrongful death lawsuit, he’s suing the two clinics where Murray worked, claiming they are also responsible for Michael Jackson’s death.

The lawsuit names Acres Home Heart & Vascular Associates — Murray’s Houston clinic, and GCA Holdings (aka Global), Murray’s Las Vegas clinic.

According to the suit obtained by TMZ, “Defendants conduct of attempting to conceal the multi-state supply of drugs and the use of their facilities in Texas and Nevada to obtain medications was an extreme departure from the standard of care.”

TMZ broke the story … two women from Dr. Murray’s Houston clinic went to Murray’s storage facility the morning Jackson died and retrieved various boxes, this according to the manager of the storage facility.

One of the women, LaQuanda Price, told TMZ she went to retrieve a bio-hazardous box, filled with needles.   She did not explain why she would take such a box back to her office, but claims Dr. Conrad Murray did not direct her to go to the storage facility.

LaQuanda’s sister, LaQuisha Middleton, told us a different story.  That she went to the storage facility with her sister to retrieve a chair.

The suit also alleges the clinics negligently trained Dr. Murray, specifically in the administration of Propofol.

Source: TMZ

Brian Oxman tells TMZ he is filing a wrongful death lawsuit today against Dr. Conrad Murray for unspecified damages in connection with the death of Michael Jackson.

The lawsuit does not name AEG, though Oxman has alleged the company that produced “This Is It” was at least partly responsible for Jackson’s death.

According to the suit, “Mr. Jackson believes there are other parties responsible for Michael Jackson’s death but has not yet gathered sufficient information regarding their potential liability or responsibility.”  The suit says the complaint will be amended when sufficient info is gathered.

TMZ obtained a copy of the complaint, which will be filed in federal court this morning. In the complaint, Joe alleges Dr. Murray withheld vital information from the doctors and EMTs who were trying to save Jackson’s life — information that he had administered Propofol.

The complaint — much like the intent to sue document TMZ first broke — states that Murray tried to “clean-up the scene” before EMTs arrived.

The complaint alleges Dr. Murray felt he could change his story — from Jackson had no drug problem, to Jackson was addicted to Propofol — because he kept no medical records, as required by California law.

The complaint alleges Joe Jackson has suffered more than $75,000 in damages, the minimum amount required to get jurisdiction in federal court. The case was filed in federal — not California court — because Dr. Murray’s residence is outside the state.

Source: TMZ

A stripper claims she was working at Sam’s Hofbrau in downtown L.A. the night before Michael Jackson died and saw Dr. Conrad Murray in the strip club, drinking … something Dr. Murray has flatly denied.

The stripper, who is shopping her story, claims Dr. Murray was at the club before midnight on June 24, 2009. She says after Jackson died … management told employees not to speak to anyone about it because “they didn’t want to be involved.”

The stripper says Dr. Murray was at the club several times in May and June. Sam’s Hofbrau is a couple of miles from Staples Center, where Michael Jackson had been rehearsing for his London concert that same evening.

Dr. Murray’s rep has previously said the doc was not at the club the night before Jackson died, adding that Dr. Murray does not drink.

Joe Jackson’s lawyer, Brian Oxman, has sent Dr. Murray a notice of intent to sue for wrongful death. In those docs, obtained by TMZ, Oxman claims Dr. Murray was at the club, drinking, just hours before MJ’s death.

Source: TMZ

Joe Jackson Linked to Unauthorized MJ Memorial

The Michael Jackson estate and others have been asking … who’s behind an unauthorized MJ memorial set to go down Saturday night at the Beverly Hilton — now, there’s a smoking gun pointed at Joe Jackson.

As we previously reported, the bash is being thrown by a website called VoicePlate.com — but no one could identify the person responsible for pulling the strings. It’s also unclear who convinced Katherine Jackson to record that awkward, scripted promotional video for the tribute.

But now — a clue … and it all has to do with the featured entertainment at the MJ tribute … a band called the Chi-Lites — they had a couple of hits in the ’70s, including “Oh Girl” and “Have You Seen Her.”

If you recall, just days after MJ died … Joe Jackson shamelessly held a news conference to introduce his new business partner, Marshall Thompson … a member of the Chi-Lites.

Think it’s coincidence that the band got a brand new gig … at an MJ event?

Didn’t think so.

Source: TMZ

A rep for Dr. Conrad Murray’s defense team tells TMZ Joe Jackson’s lawyer is flat-out wrong when he claims Dr. Murray was drinking at a strip club hours before Michael Jackson died.

TMZ broke the story … Joe Jackson’s lawyer, Brian Oxman, has served Murray with legal papers as a prelude to a wrongful death lawsuit. In those papers, Oxman claims Dr. Murray was at Sam’s Hofbrau — a strip club — on June 25, 2009, prior to treating Jackson.

The rep for the defense team tells TMZ Dr. Murray was not at a strip club when Oxman claims, nor was he there the night before. As the rep put it, “In the weeks before Michael died, Murray barely had time to take a shower.”

The rep also says Oxman got it wrong when he claimed Dr. Murray was drinking, because “He does not drink.”

As for whether Murray has ever frequented the club, the rep did not know one way or the other.  But one of the waitresses at the club tells TMZ Dr. Murray was at the club sometime in June of last year.  A stripper who works at the club tells TMZ she vividly remembers the night before Michael died because she’s a big MJ fan, and says, “It was dead that night. Dr. Murray definitely was not there.”

The club’s owner tells TMZ … at least twice in the last 6 months, a private investigator came to the club and asked various employees a bunch of questions about Conrad Murray and if they remembered seeing him at the club.

Read more at TMZ

Arnie Klein — Joe Jackson’s a Hypocrite!

Dr. Arnold Klein — the man who was probably closest to Michael Jackson — came out swinging against Joe Jackson, claiming the elder Jackson could have tried talking Michael off a ledge, but all he cared about was making money.

Dr. Klein tells TMZ, “Michael was very close to Katherine, but Joe talked to him too, but all Joe ever wanted to talk about was business. Everything Joe utters is nonsensical.”

Joe is taking lots of flack for telling News of the World Katherine is responsible for Michael’s death by not trying to cheer him up.

But Klein says he’s over the drama:  “I’m no longer interested in the Sodom and Gomorrah show on Havenhurst (the family home).  My main concern is the welfare of the children, especially Michael’s, and the preservation of Michael’s memory.”

Source: TMZ

Katherine Jackson’s Lawyer Goes After Joe Jackson

Joe Jackson’s cruel attack — that his wife, Katherine, is responsible for Michael’s death, is but the latest in a rich history of reckless, untrue comments … so says Katherine’s lawyer and the lawyer for Michael Jackson’s estate.

Katherine is not commenting on what amounts to her husband’s declaration of war — that she refused to “keep [Michael] cheered up” because she didn’t want to invade his privacy, and he’d be alive today if she had.

Katherine’s lawyer, Adam Streisand, tells TMZ, “The world knows that Mrs. Jackson has always been a loving mother and grandmother, and that she and Michael had a very special relationship.”  Streisand then drives it home:  “The world also knows who Joe Jackson is and he seems bent on never letting us forget.”

Howard Weitzman, lawyer for the Michael Jackson estate, tells TMZ, “The inference by Joe Jackson that Mrs. Jackson was in any way responsible for Michael’s death is preposterous.  Katherine Jackson was a supportive and loving mother throughout Michael’s life.  His love and respect for her is reflected in his estate plan.”

Now here’s how Joe may have screwed himself.  He’s not included in Michael’s will and no matter how hard he tries to invalidate the will, he’s going to end up with nothing in that department.  The chances of Joe getting a court-approved allowance from the estate are slim to none.  And Joe is trying to exploit Michael’s name to make money, but his unauthorized attempts have pretty much been shut down by the estate.  Ouch … and true.

So the only thing Joe has been able to rely on … Katherine’s generosity in the money department.  Looks like that gravy train may have finally left the station.

Source: TMZ

Michael Jackson’s father blames his wife for their son’s death.

Joe Jackson has admitted he accused Katherine Jackson of not doing enough to stop the late ‘Thriller’ star – who died of acute Propofol intoxication – abusing prescription drugs, just hours after he passed away last June.

Speaking of their confrontation in the mortuary, Joe admitted: “Katherine was weeping uncontrollably and highly upset. But I didn’t give her a hug because I was mad at her crying.

“I said, ‘If you had listened to me Michael would be living now.’ I kept thinking about the times I had stood in front of her saying something was wrong.

“I couldn’t bottle up my feelings. Katherine didn’t say a word – I had to get away from her. If she’d done what I asked, Michael would be here today. I am incensed with her. She could have made a difference.”

Joe – who was accused by Michael of beating him during childhood – claims he asked Katherine several times to intervene in the King of Pop’s problems because he knew the star wouldn’t listen to him.

He added to the News of the World newspaper: “In Michael’s final months alive I said to her many times that I couldn’t get through to him – and that she needed to help her son.

“I had begged her to go over and stay with him, but she insisted he needed his privacy and gave him the slack she thought he needed. A child will listen to his mother more than his father – and Michael was a mummy’s boy.”

Despite his accusation, Joe, 80, also holds himself responsible for Michael’s death because he was unable to get the singer’s planned 50-date London residency reduced.

He explained: “I wish I had made him walk away from those shows. I knew he would never make them, but I never thought he’d die.

“I tried to help Michael, but I feel I could have been more aggressive in getting access to him.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

Michael Jackson Estate — MJ Belts Are Bogus!

An extremely fancy belt commemorating Michael Jackson — and allegedly “sanctioned” by Joe Jackson and Katherine Jackson — can be yours for the bargain basement price of $1,500 — problem is … the whole thing may be illegal.

Here’s the problem.  The belts feature several images trademarked by Michael Jackson – including dancing feet, MJ’s silhouette and the MJ crest – and MJ’s estate must authorize any commercial use of those trademarks, as well as MJ’s name or image.

So of course we called MJ estate lawyer Howard Weitzman, who said the belts were news to him and that the executors never authorized the sale.  Weitzman says, “The Trustees of the Estate of Michael Jackson did not authorize the making or the sale of the Michael Jackson Tribute Belts.“  Weitzman continues, “We would never condone the use of Michael’s children’s signatures to promote the sale of merchandise.”

We haven’t found out who’s behind the website …  but Jerry Olivarez, a PR guy and friend of the Jackson family, has been touting the sale of the belts.  We’re told the site goes live today and 7,000 belts will go up for sale.  And, there will be an auction for the belt signed by Joe, Katherine, and the kids — opening bid is $5 grand.

Attempts to speak with Olivarez were unsuccessful.

Read more at TMZ

Michael Jackson’s Dad — ‘He Was Not Gay’

Joe Jackson is pissed at Michael Jackson’s former best friend/doctor, Arnold Klein, for telling TMZ MJ was gay and had a relationship with Klein’s office manager.

Joe railed at Klein, saying, “It’s not true.  Michael was not gay.”

Joe feels Klein has betrayed his son: “He has no respect for Michael … to say things about him when he’s gone is shameful.”

Jason Pfeiffer was on TV last week, claiming he had a sexual relationship with Michael, and Dr. Arnold Klein spoke of walking in on the two men and seeing them with their shirts off.  In the last few days, Dr. Klein has told TMZ Jackson was gay and had no problem with people knowing about it.

Joe Jackson went on, “He’s a doctor and knows better than to break his vows against a patient.”

Source: TMZ

The star claims his brother Michael – who died in June of acute Propofol intoxication aged 50 – made many allegations against his father Joe when he was alive that were untrue.

He said: “He’s probably, second to Michael, one of the most misunderstood people. And my father is the reason we’re sitting her right now. And because of all the discipline – like we didn’t understand it then – but now we do, very clearly.”

Michael claimed he’d suffered physical and verbal abuse at the hands of his father as he turned his sons into the Jackson 5, but Jermaine insists Michael – who started singing in the group at the age of eight – had been too young to understand.

He told ‘Access Hollywood’: “Michael being one of the youngest at the time, didn’t understand. My father is no different from any other father that just wanted things a certain way and it was not abuse.”

Source: BANG Showbiz