Music producer David Gest – a close friend of the late ‘Beat It’ singer – is demanding damages from Julien’s Auction House for attaching ‘from the collection of David Gest’ to items they sold shortly after the pop icon’s death in June and has enlisted the star’s sibling to boost his case.

David claims he never owned many of the auctioned goods – including a Platinum RIAA Record Award for the album ‘Thriller’ – and that he never gave the auction house permission to use his name.

Speaking in support of David, Tito said: “I am amazed an auction house like Julien’s Auctions would use David Gest’s name to sell an item that was not his.

“There are a number of the items that they listed in their Michael Jackson catalogue on June 26th and 27th that never even belonged to David Gest.

“I will also testify in court that this RIAA Award Disc for Thriller Presented to Steve Manning never belonged to David Gest”.

Lots at the auction included a signed Jackson 5 album, which was expected to fetch up to $600 at the auction, but sold for $33,750, and a childhood painting done by Michael of Mickey Mouse and Pluto, which sold for $25,000, 25 times more than expected.

David said: “So much for the statement by Julien’s Auctions’ lawyer that they are ‘good honest folks’.

“I’m sure this will open the door for many others to question items they have sold.”

Steve Manning, a former publicist for the Jackson 5, has also pledged to give evidence if the case comes to court.

Julien’s Auctions’ denies any wrongdoing and Darren Julien, who runs the auction house, has filed a federal lawsuit to ask the judge to see through David’s legal action.

Source: BANG Showbiz

The music producer – a close friend of the late ‘Thriller’ star – is demanding damages from Julien’s Auctions for attaching his name to items they sold shortly after the pop icon’s death in June.

Papers filed in Shelby County Chancery Court in Tennessee by David allege ‘The Collection of David Gest’ was used to describe items he had never owned and claim no discussions ever took place to give the auction house permission to use his name.

Lots included a signed Jackson 5 album, which was expected to fetch up to $600 at the auction, but sold for $33,750, and a childhood painting done by Michael of Mickey Mouse and Pluto, which sold for $25,000, 25 times more than expected.

David said: “Julien’s Auctions deceived buyers by letting them believe I owned many of these items when I did not. Every individual who purchased items I never owned was falsely duped into thinking they were part of my collection. Each individual who bought an item I never owned needs to be notified of that fact. This is an act of fraud and I will prove that in court. Julien’s Auctions was notified of their wrongdoing by my lawyer Edward Bearman months ago and they did nothing to rectify their actions.”

Darren Julien, who runs the auction house, has filed a federal lawsuit to ask the judge to see through David’s legal action.

In his filing, Darren insists he would never have used the name of the producer – who was previously married to Liza Minnelli – without good reason as potential buyers would not be impressed by a man who “reportedly sued his wealthy ex-wife for $10 million”.

Jerry Hawxhurst, the lawyer acting on behalf of the auctioneers, blasted David’s action.

He said: “A complaint like the one that was filed is what happens when people make ridiculous claims against good, honest folks like Darren Julien and his company, Julien’s Auctions. Gest should be ashamed of himself for trying to trade on Michael Jackson’s memory.”

Source: BANG Showbiz