Month: September 2005

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Tab Reporter Gets Ax Amidst Criticism of being Unfair and Unbalanced?–MB #283

Tab Reporter Gets the Ax Amidst Criticism of being Unfair and Unbalanced? – MB #283 Dimond splits from Court TV, but is still oblivious as to why some consider her to be pro-prosecution “It was bound to happen,” one person commented when they heard the news of tabloid (tab) reporter Diane Dimond exiting Court TV in late August 2005. Whether she “exited” or was tossed out on her Jackson-scandal-chasing-ass, the news broke August 28 2005 much to the surprise of some. According to MediaBistro, who got their information from Dimond’s fansite, Court TV “dismantled Diane Dimond’s investigative unit.” I’m not sure what’s more laughable: the fact that she had an “investigative unit” or that she has a fansite. Dimond is often accused of impersonating an investigative journalist and to some observers much of her Jackson coverage appeared to be a negatively spun, bastardized version of the truth. In my opinion, the unbelievably biased and pro-prosecution slant Dimond gave to her reporting caused scores of people to become alarmed. Some critics say she reported information in a way which would have been best suited on an advocacy website or a talk radio show.

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Jackson juror now wants out of book deal

Jackson juror now wants out of book deal
9/10/05

By SCOTT HADLY
NEWS-PRESS SENIOR WRITER

"It sounds like he’s flip-flopping again," publisher says

One of the jurors in the Michael Jackson child molestation case who had second thoughts about voting to acquit the pop star now has second thoughts about signing a contract to write a book, filing a lawsuit this week in Santa Maria to get out of the deal.

Ray Hultman, 62, and another juror, Eleanor Cook, 79, have both publicly stated that they believe Mr. Jackson was guilty despite voting with the rest of the jury in June to acquit the star. They made the statements during an interview on MSNBC in which both also announced they were working on separate books about their experiences on the case.

…

But in court papers filed this week in Santa Maria, Mr. Hultman alleged that he and his wife, Darlene, were taken in by publisher Larry Garrison. Mr. Garrison "impressed and dazzled (the Hultmans) with his purported fame and achievements so that they would trust him so completely that they would believe virtually anything he said or promoted to them."

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Former Juror Hultman Sues to Break Book Contract; Brown also Sued

Jackson juror sues to get out of book deal By Quintin Cushner/Senior Staff Writer A Michael Jackson juror who last month announced a book deal and said he believed the pop star was guilty of child molestation has filed a lawsuit to break his publishing contract.

Hultman claims he was shocked when media reports surfaced Aug. 19 that his book proposal contained plagiarized material from a Vanity Fair magazine article

Santa Maria Times

Ray Hultman and his wife, Darlene Hultman, filed the lawsuit in Superior Court in Santa Maria on Wednesday, claiming they were novices suckered into signing a book pact with publisher Larry Garrison, owner of the Lake Sherwood-based SilverCreek Entertainment. “Plaintiff’s reliance on Garrison’s representations was justified in light of their aforementioned simplicity, naiveté, overly trusting natures, lack of sophistication and inexperience, and Garrison’s motivational skills and ability to ‘sell’ and promote himself and/or his business ventures,” according to the suit. Hultman, 62, of Santa Maria wants out of his contract and is seeking unspecified damages for mental and emotional stress. Also named in the suit is Hultman’s agent, Bill Gladstone of Cardiff by the Sea, and Los Angeles author Stacy Brown. No court date has yet been scheduled for the lawsuit.

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Janet Arvizo Pleads Not Guilty to Welfare Fraud

Mother Of Michael Jackson Accuser Pleads Not Guilty To Fraud Complaint Alleges Janet Arvizo Failed To Disclose Money From Lawsuit Settlement POSTED: 12:31 pm PDT September 6, 2005 UPDATED: 12:37 pm PDT September 6, 2005 LOS ANGELES — The mother of the boy who accused pop superstar Michael Jackson of child molestation pleaded not guilty Tuesday in a welfare fraud case brought by Los Angeles County prosecutors. Janet Arvizo, who appeared at the downtown Los Angeles courthouse a day ahead of her scheduled court date, was released on her own recognizance by Superior Court Commissioner James N. Bianco. Arvizo is due back in court Oct. 28, when a date is scheduled to be set for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence to require her to stand trial.