JACKSON: 'I PAID SCHAFFEL'

Last updated: Friday, June 30, 2006

JACKSON: 'I PAID SCHAFFEL'

MICHAEL JACKSON is "sure" he paid former associate MARC SCHAFFEL for his services, a California court heard yesterday (29JUN06).

Schaffel claims he is owed $3.8 million (GBP2.1 million) in unpaid loans and expenses, unpaid salary for a charity record and a share of proceeds from two TV programmes produced to repair Jackson's image, following the damning British documentary LIVING WITH MICHAEL JACKSON - which prompted the child molestation investigation into Jackson.

In Santa Monica yesterday (29JUN06), Schaffel's lawyer HOWARD KING said his client had been "left holding the bag".

King said, "Schaffel was asked to do crisis control."

However, Jackson claims Schaffel owes him money, not the other way around. He has filed a counter-claim alleged Schaffel kept sculptures and paintings worth $250,000 (GBP138,000).

In a videotaped testimony taped in London in September (05), Jackson said, "I know he wanted something from me, of course.

"I do remember these long letters. He wanted me to pay him."

When King asked the THRILLER singer if he paid Schaffel, Jackson replied, "I'm sure he got money... (I'm sure) because he always seemed to be happy."

Jackson's lawyer THOMAS MUNDELL contended the singer is forgetful, which allowed Schaffel to fraudulently move funds from Jackson's accounts for himself and bill the star for expenses after their business relationship ended.

The trial continues.

| Friday, June 30, 2006

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