Lawsuit Planned Over City's Costs In Michael Jackson Memorial
A lawsuit against the estate of Michael Jackson that seeks to recover the city of L.A.'s costs in staging the pop star's memorial at Staples Center last year will be filed this week, Attorney Jeff Grotke told the Weekly.
He represents taxpayer Jose F. Vallejos, who is acting on behalf of the city to recover the taxpayer costs for the memorial. Grotke had previously said Anschutz Entertainment Group might also be sued for its role in staging the July 7 event, which cost the city nearly $3.2 million, mostly in police services. Early this year the attorney filed a claim against the estate as a prelude to a possible suit.
AEG and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced Friday the two parties have reached an "accord" on the matter that will have the corporation, along with the Jackson estate, "donate" $1 million to the city and another $300,000 to the L.A. Police Foundation.
The announcement did not explain, however, how the figure was calculated, given the city's greater cost in helping to police and accommodate the event. And the deal seems to fly in the face of city policy on the matter, which would normally require the organizer of such an event to pay the city's costs.
Email to Friend
Write to Editor
Print Article
