Katherine Jackson — MJ Estate Lawyers are ‘Greedy’

Katherine Jackson is unloading on the lawyers overlooking Michael Jackson’s Estate — calling them “greedy” … and claiming they’re filing lawsuits left, right and center just to make a quick buck.

In a recent interview from the Michael Jackson Secret Vault, Katherine says, “All these lawyers that are involved in Michael’s business since he passed — there’s a lot of them — I think they’re trying to create different lawsuits and things because they’re greedy and they want to get paid.”

As we previously reported, the Estate is currently suing Katherine’s business partner Howard Mann for allegedly profiting off MJ’s name and likeness without their permission — an accusation Katherine took very personally.

News Source: TMZ

‘This Is It’ Producer: I Didn’t Cause Michael’s Death

The producer/director of Michael Jackson’s “This Is It” tour is scoffing at Katherine Jackson’s wrongful death suit in which he’s named as a defendant, because he had nothing to do with the drugs or treatment that caused the singer’s death.

Kenny Ortega just filed legal docs — obtained by TMZ — asking the court to remove him as a defendant in Katherine’s suit, claiming, “Kenneth Ortega is not alleged to be involved in the medical treatment or administration of drugs that allegedly caused Michael Jackson’s death.”

Ortega’s lawyer adds … Kenny never had a contract with Dr. Conrad Murray or with Michael Jackson, nor has he had any official affiliation with AEG.

Ortega’s lawyer says, “The naming of Kenneth Ortega as a defendant in this action, without any basis, without any substantive charging allegations against him, is a gross error.”

News Source: TMZ

It’s WAR at the Michael Jackson House

Michael Jackson’s estate is asking a judge to do what Katherine Jackson can’t — kick Alejandra Jackson and her kids out of the Hayvenhurst estate for good.

TMZ has obtained legal docs in which the estate is asking the judge to remove Alejandra, Jaafar, Jermajesty, Genevieve, Donte and Randy Jr. from the estate … on grounds they’re not beneficiaries of Michael Jackson’s will and have no claim to the property.

As TMZ first reported, last month Katherine Jackson told Alejandra and the kids — fathered by both Jermaine and Randy — not to return to the residence. Alejandra is refusing to move herself, her kids, and her stuff out … so the estate has gone to court.

As TMZ also previously reported, the house is scheduled to be renovated — but sources tell us Alejandra is holding the remodel hostage by refusing to leave.

News Source: TMZ

Cirque Du Soleil — Michael Jackson Immortalized

Cirque Du Soleil is unveiling the images that will drive what could be the biggest show under the big top ever — driven by Michael Jackson’s music … and TMZ got hold of the image that will drive the production.

The world tour is a partnership between the MJ Estate and Cirque — each sharing 50% of the profits. It will kick off in the Fall of next year in Canada, and work its way south to the US of A.

The show will end up with a permanent home at an MGM Mirage hotel in Las Vegas — probably in late 2012.

This project — unlike some others — got the thumbs up from Katherine Jackson.

Source: TMZ

Katherine Jackson May Be ‘Oprah’ Bound

It appears Katherine Jackson is going to do what Oksana Grigorieva couldn’t … appear on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

Production trucks have arrived at the Jackson family compound in Encino along with two black SUVs. Members of the production crew told TMZ they are there for “an Oprah shoot.”

A security guard told TMZ Oprah will not be showing up … so this could be filming for an introductory segment of the show.

No word on what the interview might be about … but we’re guessing the words Michael and Jackson will be used often.

Source: TMZ

Katherine Jackson: ‘I Want Justice’

Katherine Jackson doesn’t think any judicial resolution with Dr. Conrad Murray or AEG that will bring her peace … but that doesn’t mean she’s not gonna fight the fight.

In another interview from the Michael Jackson Secret Vault, Katherine Jackson says, “I want justice done,” yet she explains that any victory will be hollow.

Source: TMZ

TMZ has obtained a clip of Katherine Jackson speaking about the very reason she filed a new lawsuit against AEG — she believes Michael Jackson’s death could have been prevented … if not for alleged negligence.

During a recent interview for an MJ documentary — shot by the Michael Jackson Secret Vault — Katherine was asked if MJ’s death was avoidable and her answer clearly points the finger at Dr. Conrad Murray.

As we reported yesterday, Katherine filed a lawsuit for negligence against AEG — the company that hired Dr. Murray as MJ’s personal physician during the “This Is It” tour rehearsals.

Source: TMZ

Katherine Jackson Sues AEG Over Michael’s Death

Katherine Jackson and Michael Jackson’s children are suing AEG Live – claiming they breached their agreement to provide physical care for Michael Jackson – and that the company was negligent in their hiring of Conrad Murray as MJ’s doctor.

Kenny Ortega, who produced the planned London concerts for Michael, is also named as a defendant.

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

Katherine Jackson: MJ Danced to a Washing Machine

Katherine Jackson says she vividly remembers the first time she knew MJ would be a superstar — and it all harkens back to the time baby Michael danced to the rhythm of an old washing machine.

According to Mama Jackson, the King of Pop-in-a-diaper danced to the rhythm of the family’s old Maytag washing machine with “perfect timing” — and she knew right then and there that her son was destined for greatness.

The video is all part of a longer interview from the website selling Katherine’s book — and we’re told you can expect to see the whole thing in a big documentary about MJ’s life.

Source: TMZ

Katherine Jackson claims she “hasn’t been doing so well” since MJ died — in fact, according to a never-before-seen interview from last month, the singer’s mother has basically been an emotional wreck.

During the moving interview — which took place before the anniversary of Michael’s death — a visibly upset Katherine claims, “Not a day goes by that I don’t think about my son.”

The clip was shot by the same website hawking Katherine’s new book “Never Can Say Goodbye” — and according to our source, the footage is all part of a larger documentary on Jackson’s life.

As for who’s behind the whole project — we’re told it’s an equal partnership between Katherine and Howard Mann — the same guy who co-wrote her book.

Source: TMZ

Alleged MJ Love Child Surfaces — Wants Money

A woman who claims to be Michael Jackson’s illegitimate love child — conceived when MJ was a minor — has filed legal documents claiming there was a diabolical plot to cover up her existence … involving murder, abduction and Diana Ross’ sister.

The alleged MJ spawn — Mocienne Petit Jackson — has filed documents with L.A. County Superior Court claiming she will surely be in line for a serious inheritance check … if a judge will give the go-ahead on a DNA test.

Here’s the story — MPJ claims back in 1975, 17-year-old Michael Jackson secretly impregnated her mother Barbara … who happens to be Diana Ross’ sister.

MPJ claims when she was 9-years-old, Katherine Jackson hatched a plan to “abduct” MPJ and send her to Belgium to protect Michael’s “reputation.” She claims all 7 of her abductors were later murdered.

Now MPJ — who currently lives in the Netherlands — has decided to come forward with her story … so she can “formally claim my part of my father’s inheritance.” She also wants custody of MJ’s kids so she can give them a “more normal life.”

MPJ also claims she was diagnosed with Vitiligo … so, there’s that.

Calls to Diana Ross, Barbara Ross and MJ’s camp have not been returned

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

TMZ has learned … Katherine Jackson is knee-deep in a business deal to produce and distribute several movies on Michael Jackson’s life, and she is on a collision course with the MJ estate.

Howard Mann, the guy who co-authored Katherine’s coffee table book, “Never Can Say Goodbye,” is also producing a movie that will feature video from Michael Jackson’s childhood through the end of his life.

We’re told Katherine has hundreds of hours of video, including the family’s big move from Gary, Indiana to L.A. after The Jackson 5 signed with Motown.

We’re told Mann just bought the rights to 26 hours of Michael Jackson video … owned by Michael Jackson’s former business partner/confidant Marc Schaffel. We’re told Mann has paid Schaffel in the eight figures for the video.

Now here’s the problem … the Michael Jackson estate has the exclusive right to market Michael Jackson’s name and image. We’re told Mann and company are comfortable with their legal position, because the beneficiaries of the estate — Katherine and Michael’s kids — are profiting participants in the movie. In fact, Mann tells TMZ he and Katherine plan on releasing a series of movies.

Source: TMZ

Katherine Jackson May Have Screwed Herself

Katherine Jackson’s quest for money may have just cost her dearly … because TMZ has obtained legal papers from a South Korean newspaper that is going after everything she makes … until she pays off a $13 million debt.

Segye Times, a South Korean newspaper, filed papers with the Michael Jackson estate, informing the court it got a judgment against Katherine in 1994 for $4 million. That’s when the newspaper advanced Katherine, Joe and Jermaine $5.5 million for a series of Jackson family concerts that never took place.

Segye claims with interest the judgment now exceeds $13 million, and it wants an order from the judge forcing the estate to pay Segye any money the estate might pay Katherine.

Now here’s how Katherine screwed herself.  By making all the deals she’s been making — for books, gala events and such — she’s made it clear to the world her goal is to roll in dough and Segye has taken notice.

Source: TMZ

Katherine Jackson — The Buck Stops Here

Katherine Jackson has a problem she may not realize — while she’s raking money in from various Michael Jackson businesses, the judge in the MJ estate case could shut her out of a huge monthly allowance the MJ estate has been providing.

TMZ first reported … Katherine and Joe Jackson sponsored a ritzy Michael Jackson event at the Beverly Hilton Hotel Saturday night — with tickets going as high as $500 a pop — and if there are profits, we’re told some of that will line her pocket.

And then there’s the book she hawking  — “Never Can Say Goodbye” — co-authored by Howard Mann, who made a fortune off of nude, online gambling.

Mann tells us he’s going into other businesses with Katherine as well. Roger Friedman from Showbiz411.com says he’s seen a contract between Mann and Katherine which guarantees her $10,000 a month for promoting a book in the works, “The Katherine Jackson Story.”  Mann claims Katherine will net $10 mil from the book.

Now here’s the problem.  When the judge in the Michael Jackson estate case signed off on Katherine getting more than $26,000 a month, it was based on need.  If she’s making money on the side — especially making money off her late son — it’s likely the judge will no longer see the need to fill Katherine’s wallet.

So it’s coming down to a “Let’s Make a Deal” decision. Katherine, do you want door #1 or door #2?

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

Michael Jackson Coffee Table Book — A Steal

The first shipment of Katherine Jackson’s coffee table book about  Michael Jackson isn’t exactly flying off the shelves in Gary, Indiana.  In fact the books never even made it to the shelves, because they were stolen.

A rep from the publisher, Vintage Pop, tells TMZ they Fedex’d seven boxes of “Never Can Say Goodbye” to the home of a Jackson family friend in Gary  … and they were supposed to end for sale at the new MJ monument.  But someone absolutely, positively wanted them so badly, they stole them right off the front steps of the house where they were left.

We’re told a police report was filed with the Gary PD.

Source: TMZ

Katherine Jackson to Joe: Don’t Drag Me Into This!

Joe Jackson has no business dragging his wife into the wrongful death lawsuit he’s filing against Dr. Conrad Murray … this according to her lawyer.

TMZ broke the story … Brian Oxman is filing the wrongful death suit in federal court today.  Oxman has named Katherine and Michael Jackson’s 3 kids as “nominal plaintiff.”

It’s bizarre to name anyone as a “nominal plaintiff” in such a case.   As far as we can tell  — plaintiffs in wrongful death cases never bring in others as “nominal plaintiffs.”

That said, Katherine’s lawyer, Adam Streisand, tells TMZ, “Mrs. Jackson has no interest in Conrad Murray other than seeing that justice is done in the criminal courts.”

Streisand adds, “She certainly would never tap Brian Oxman for the job of filing any kind of lawsuit for her or the kids.”

Source: TMZ

Katherine Jackson thinks the father of the boy who first accused Michael Jackson of molestation committed suicide because he knew the allegation was a lie and he had a guilty conscience … this according to the book Katherine is about to release.

In the dedication to “Never Can Say Goodbye” — a copy of which we obtained before its release — Katherine says, “Evan Chandler, the father of Michael’s first accuser, recently committed suicide. Though I can’t comment on why, I want to believe his conscience finally caught up with him and he was not able to live with himself after destroying an innocent person’s career and breaking his spirit.”

Source: TMZ

Michael Jackson Estate Threatened with Lawsuit

The co-author of a new book on Michael Jackson has threatened to sue the Michael Jackson estate for allegedly trying to discredit the book.

Howard Mann — a businessman who has made money on nude online gambling and nude wrestling — hooked up with Katherine Jackson to create a coffee table book called “Never Can Say Goodbye.“

Estate lawyer Howard Weitzman told TMZ earlier this week, Mann had no right “to exploit any estate assets” and would take “whatever action is necessary to prevent him from unlawfully profiting.”

Mann now tells TMZ, “The comments by the lawyers for the Estate of Michael Jackson are designed to create fear and ambiguity and may impede our ability to maximize the profits that Vintage Pop (the publisher) and the beneficiaries of the Estate are entitled to enjoy.  These actions are torturous interference and will NOT be accepted and will result [in] litigation to recover the damages against our company.”

Weitzman tells TMZ, “The estate will continue to protect its assets when appropriate,” adding, “If Mr. Mann or his attorney want to communicate with me, they can contact me directly.”

Source: TMZ

The lawyer for the Michael Jackson estate thinks the businessman who partnered with Katherine Jackson is hurting Michael’s children — and is threatening legal action if the dude doesn’t stop.

Howard Mann — whose business ventures include online nude gambling — got Katherine Jackson to agree to publish the book, “Never Can Say Goodbye,” scheduled for release this week.

Mann also told TMZ he and Katherine will make record deals for 273 unreleased Michael Jackson songs — part of an MJ treasure trove he acquired in a fire sale after Joe Jackson failed to pay a storage bill.

But estate lawyer Howard Weitzman is ticked, claiming Mann “may be using his relationship with Mrs. Jackson to infringe upon Michael Jackson’s copyrights … to the detriment of, among others, Michael’s 3 kids.”

Weitzman says Mann has no right “to exploit any estate assets” and he will take “whatever action is necessary to prevent him from unlawfully profiting.” TMZ translation — the estate will sue his ass if Mann goes forward.

We’re told Katherine Jackson is happy with the job the executors have done — namely filling the coffers with hundreds of millions of dollars — but sources say family members are in her ear, getting her to sign off on ventures that end up hurting the estate, MJ’s kids, and Katherine herself.

Source: TMZ

Katherine Jackson’s MJ Book — The Photos

TMZ has obtained photos from the book and calendar Katherine Jackson has released about her late son, Michael Jackson.

The book — “Never Can Say Goodbye: The Katherine Jackson Archives” on sale at www.jacksonsecretvault.com — contains 150 pages of never-before-seen photos ... and Katherine’s own anecdotes about Michael.

Read more at TMZ

Michael Jackson’s children will start school in September – so they can make friends.

The late King of Pop’s mother Katherine Jackson – who is the legal guardian of his three kids, Prince Michael, 13, Paris, 12, and eight-year-old Prince Michael II, known as Blanket – has revealed the trio are due to enrol at a new education centre later in the year, to help them befriend youngsters their own ages.

Katherine said: “They don’t have any friends. They don’t go to school, they have private lessons at home – but that will change in September, when they are due to enrol at private college. But they have their cousins and aunts and uncles around them constantly, and that’s helped them immensely.

“To them, it’s normal, it’s the life they have known. They have a certain time to go to bed, then they get up and get dressed for lessons. They practise karate and swim, which they love.”

Michael died on June 25 2009 from acute Propofol intoxication, aged 50.

However, his children provide the Jackson family with continuous memories of the pop star, because they all has personality traits similar to his.

Katherine explained to the Sunday Mirror newspaper: “Paris has that lovely way, just like him, and I see his talent in her. Whatever she does, she is very good at it. She’s a good artist, she plays the piano and she wants to be an actress. Prince is serious about a lot of things. He wants to be a cameraman or produce movies. He is dedicated to that, like Michael was. And Blanket is very playful, like Michael was.”

Katherine, 80, has also revealed her son was so protective of his young children – who he raised alone – he deliberately kept his fame from them for as long as possible – so they wouldn’t get “egos”.

She added: “He said, ‘I never told them what I do’. He didn’t want them to know… He didn’t want them walking around with egos! So when they went to the 30th show, the two little ones were in the audience. Michael got backstage and they said, ‘You’re a big star! When I grow up, I want to be like you!’ Michael said that gave him the biggest chuckle.”

Source: BANG Showbiz

TMZ has learned Katherine Jackson and Michael Jackson’s three kids will not be in L.A. to commemorate the one-year anniversary of MJ’s death.

Sources connected with the family tell TMZ the gang will be at Michael’s birthplace — Gary, Indiana — where they will observe the day.

We’re told Katherine is set on Gary because she feels it is a “family point of connection” — and it’s just too crazy in L.A.

Our sources say Katherine, Prince, Paris, and Blanket will keep things private with relatives and friends in Gary.

Source: TMZ