Absent Jackson is Still A Presence

[b]Absent Jackson is Still A Presence[/b] BY MICHAEL J. TITTINGER Daily Press Staff Writer … Jackson’s camp contends Schaffel was a glorified “gopher” who had no experience in the music industry, with Mundell indicating it would be preposterous to allow him to produce such a complicated recording session that included in upwards of 20 major label recording artists. “Michael Jackson is a trusting, gullible, almost childlike man,” said Mundell, explaining that a slew of advisors surround the entertainer to protect the forgetful genius. “He’s a hard guy to take advantage of… but if you want to rip off Michael Jackson, the way to do it is get close to him. You have to become his friend.” Mundell claims Schaffel befriended Jackson, then took advantage of that trust by demanding reimbursements and repayment of loans of which Jackson was not aware.

Attorney: Schaffel fraudulent shuffled funds from Jackson accounts

[b]Jury in Michael Jackson civil suit sees star’s video testimony[/b] LINDA DEUTSCH Associated Press … Jackson’s lawyer, Thomas C. Mundell, contended in his statement that the pop star is famously forgetful and he charged that Schaffel fraudulently shuffled funds from Jackson’s accounts to his own pocket and billed Jackson for expenses when he no longer worked for him. A detailed forensic accounting of Jackson’s books would show that Schaffel actually owes Jackson money, Mundell said. Vast amounts of money delivered to Jackson by Schaffel were actually wire transfers from other people and not money that Schaffel paid out of his own funds, the attorney said. Schaffel is a meticulous record keeper, saving receipts for every penny spent, but has no receipts to show money delivered or obtained from Jackson, Mundell said, showing the jury expensed receipts submitted by Schaffel that included $5.17 spent at a Taco Bell and $2.11 spent at a 7-Eleven for Advil. “The evidence will show Mr. Schaffel should have left well enough alone,” said Mundell. “He could have gotten away with a chunk of money from Michael Jackson … but he sued for several million dollars.”

Michael Jackson moving to Europe to resume career

[b]Michael Jackson moving to Europe to resume career[/b] By Dan Whitcomb LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Michael Jackson, who earlier this year shuttered his Neverland Valley Ranch in California, will move to Europe to reignite a musical career stalled by his sex abuse trial, a spokeswoman for the pop star said on Tuesday. Jackson, who has been living in Bahrain since his acquittal on child molestation charges in June of 2005, has also severed ties with his longtime business managers as part of a “sweeping restructuring” of his affairs, spokeswoman Raymone Bain said. “He’s just decided that with all of the projects he’s going to be involved with and all of the people he’s beginning to work with in the music industry, it’s easier (to live in Europe),” Bain said. “He’ll be going back and forth to Bahrain but Europe will be his principal residence.”

Jackson trial to focus on accounting

[b]Jackson trial to focus on accounting[/b] By Martin Kasindorf, USA TODAY Updated 6/25/2006 10:25 PM ET SANTA MONICA, Calif. — A year after Michael Jackson’s acquittal on child-molestation charges, the singer is to go to trial again today against claims that he owes $3.9 million to an unindicted co-conspirator in his criminal case. Echoes of last year’s trial in Santa Maria, Calif., could resound through the breach-of-contract trial here that pits Jackson against former associate Marc Schaffel, says Howard King, a lawyer for Schaffel. Jury selection begins today. Jackson, 47, moved to Bahrain with his three children soon after the jury found him innocent. He probably won’t appear at the trial here, but jurors will see him in a videotaped deposition, defense lawyer Thomas Mundell says.

[Jackson] jets in to Cork for stay with Lord of the Dance

[b][Jackson] jets in to Cork for stay with Lord of the Dance[/b] 19:41 Friday June 23rd 2006 The controversial pop star Michael Jackson jetted into Cork this afternoon on a scheduled Aer Lingus flight from Paris. There’s intense speculation that the 47 year old who was accompanied by at least two other adults and three children will be staying with Lord of the Dance and Celtic Tiger performer, Michael Flatley. Jackson who’s been living with the Prince of Bahrain since his acquittal on charges of child molestation concealed his face and those of the children. Michael Jackson’s flight touched down shortly after four o’clock, and he, along with his three children, Prince Michael, Prince Michael II and Paris were taken into the airport’s VIP area after and brought through immigration.