Year: 2005

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FCC Launches Payola Investigation Against Sony/BMG

[b]FCC Plans Payola Investigation[/b] Settlement May Reflect Broad Violation, Commissioner Says By Arshad Mohammed Washington Post Staff Writer Tuesday, August 9, 2005; Page D02 The Federal Communications Commission said yesterday it would investigate Sony BMG Music Entertainment’s payola settlement with New York state to see whether anyone involved broke the FCC’s pay-for-play rules, which can bring civil fines of up to $32,500 per violation. Sony BMG last month agreed to pay $10 million to settle allegations by New York Attorney General Eliot L. Spitzer that some of its workers lavished cash, trips and other bribes on radio stations to get its music on the air. FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin said he was “very concerned” about the activities that gave rise to Spitzer’s investigation and ordered the commission’s enforcement bureau to study the Sony BMG agreement for “evidence of payola violations.”

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Two Jurors Change Tune to Cash-In? – MJEOL Bullet #279

Two Jurors Change Tune to Cash-In? – MJEOL Bullet #279 This, while another juror actually believed the tall tales of Gavin Arvizo AUGUST 7 2005 – “What the hell is wrong with those 2 jurors?” asked a friend of mine after hearing media reports about the shenanigans allegedly engaged in by 79 year old Eleanor Cook and 62 year old Raymond Hultman. They are the first two to get book deals, reportedly, and they are also the two who are now singing a different tune. Surprise, surprise. Meanwhile, a third juror actually believed the conflicting and unbelievable tales woven by Gavin Arvizo according to the tabloid the NY Post. According to published and broadcast reports, the two flip-flopping jurors, Cook and Hultman, are claiming Jackson is really guilty of something – after voting for acquittal…and just in time for their upcoming books. Imagine! Some in the public thought Jackson was just being overly sensitive or paranoid when he and his supporters say that people will do anything or act in any inappropriate way to make money off of him.

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Mesereau Speaks on Jackson, Bashir and the Trial – MB#278

Mesereau Speaks on Jackson, Bashir and the Trial – MB#278 JULY 31 2005 — The attorney who represented Michael Jackson did two radio interviews last week about the law and Michael Jackson. Mesereau –himself described as an ethical fighter of injustice — described Jackson as a “gentle, kindhearted, nice person” during an interview with Radio 5 in the UK on July 26 2005. He calls Jackson one of the nicest human beings he’s ever encountered (see Radio 5 interview). What some people may not yet know is that throughout his career, Mesereau has spent a great deal of his time representing people who aren’t famous; people who can’t afford to get a good lawyer. He’s volunteered his time and given out advice free of charge. He is certainly not your average “celebrity defense attorney.” Mesereau has two goals when he meets people and prepares to defense them, he says: (1.) to make sure innocent people aren’t convicted, and (2.) to make sure prosecutors and law enforcement don’t abuse their authority. This came about, says Mesereau, because of his belief that there is sometimes a tendency for people in power to abuse it in some way; sometimes without consciously knowing they’re doing it.