Day: July 7, 2006

[b]Michael Jackson tells his side by video in suit over alleged debt[/b] By LINDA DEUTSCH The Associated Press SANTA MONICA The plaintiff in a lawsuit against Michael Jackson prepared to rest his case Friday after the jury was shown hours of videotaped testimony from the star, who professed little memory of major financial transactions involving the former associate who claims he’s owed $1.6 million. Jackson, who was interviewed twice in London by F. Marc Schaffel’s attorney, Howard King, said he did remember at least one occasion when Schaffel delivered money to him on the set of a music video. He said it arrived in a fast-food bag and they called it “french fries,” which became their slang for money. But Jackson said he thought that any money Schaffel gave him came from Jackson’s own funds.

[b]Jackson adviser: trial signals star’s new approach to business[/b] LINDA DEUTSCH, AP Special Correspondent July 7, 2006 12:10 AM PST SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) – Michael Jackson’s decision to fight his former associate F. Marc Schaffel in a civil suit now under way is symbolic of ”a new day” in Jackson’s financial life, the man who is restructuring his business affairs said. L. Londell McMillan, a New York lawyer who has attended every day of the current trial, was responding to a comment by Schaffel’s attorney Howard King, who told reporters it would have been less expensive and more expeditious for Jackson to have settled the case before it went to trial. ”It would have been to all parties’ benefit to settle,” McMillan said Thursday. ”But Mr. Schaffel’s request was outrageous. And Mr. Jackson is taking a new approach to people trying to hijack him with dishonorable claims.” ”This is a very important case,” he added. ”It’s the beginning of a new day defending against bogus claims and accepting responsibility for his business.”