10:12 am - 07/19/2012
Michael Jackson Didn’t Leave Anything to His Siblings in His Will, and They Are Still Pissed
Jacksons accuse estate executors of abusing their mother, forging MJ's will, and more. Charges are "grounded in stale Internet conspiracy theories," estate says.
Los Angeles (CNN) -- Randy Jackson and four of his siblings sent a scathing letter to the men who control Michael Jackson's estate, accusing them of fraud and of abusing their mother.
"THIS HAS TO STOP NOW: NO MORE!!" the Jackson siblings wrote in the letter, originally obtained by Celebuzz.com.
The letter also suggested that their mother, Katherine Jackson, suffered a "mini-stroke" recently, which her lawyer quickly disputed. The controversy even led Paris Jackson, the late pop star's 14-year-old daughter, to use her Twitter account to weigh in. (See below.)
Relations between the Jackson family and executors John Branca and John McClain have been strained for most of the three years since Michael Jackson's sudden death on June 25, 2009.
The letter mostly repeats allegations made by family members, but it also threatens new legal action against Branca, an entertainment lawyer, and McClain, a music executive, who worked with Jackson at several points in his career.
"We know there is most certainly a conspiracy surrounding our brother's death and now coarse manipulation and fear are being used to cover it up," they wrote. "Your heartless pursuit of wealth, fame and power is at the expense of our family, whose deepest desire is to give to the world a gift of hope, love and unity through our music."
It was signed by Janet, Jermaine, Tito, Randy and Rebbie Jackson.
Jackie, Marlon and La Toya Jackson did not sign it -- nor did parents Joe and Katherine Jackson, both of whom previously filed challenges against the executors of son Michael's estate. (Katherine backed off her legal attack and Joe’s case was thrown out of court.)
"We are saddened that false and defamatory accusations grounded in stale Internet conspiracy theories are now being made by certain members of Michael's family whom he chose to leave out of his will," estate spokesman Jim Bates said in a statement to CNN. "We are especially disheartened that they come at a time when remarkable progress has been made to secure the financial future of his children by turning around the estate's finances as well as during a time when so many of Michael's fans, old and new, are enjoying his artistry through exciting new projects."
The Jacksons' letter comes on the heels of last week's announcement that the MJ estate has generated gross earnings exceeding $475 million as of the end of May. According to official documents (obtained by TMZ), all of Michael Jackson's debts have been paid, with the exception of a rather large debt involving the late singer's publishing catalog, which executors expect will be fully paid off by the end of the year.
The will, which was validated in probate court in the months after Jackson's 2009 death, put all Jackson's assets into a trust that benefited his mother, Katherine; his children, Prince, Paris and Blanket; and charities. Branca and McClain were named as executors.
The signature page indicated that Michael Jackson signed the will in Los Angeles on July 7, 2002, on which date the Jacksons insist he was actually in New York.
The siblings' letter charged that "without question, it's Fake. Flawed and Fraudulent." (It's worth noting that MJ's prior will, from the late 1990s, is virtually identical to the 2002 will. So if you want to revert back to an earlier, more "legit" will, Jackson family . . . well, you're screwed either way!)
(ABOVE: Co-executor John Branca on his wedding day -- circa 1987 -- photographed with Michael Jackson, who served as his best man. The pair's business relationship goes back decades.)
"Any doubts about the validity of Michael's will and his selection of executors were thoroughly and completely debunked two years ago when a challenge was rejected by the Los Angeles County Superior Court, the California Court of Appeals and, finally, the California Supreme Court," Bates said.
The Jackson brothers and sisters also accuse Branca and McClain of abusing their 82-year-old mother through lies and manipulations.
"Your actions are affecting her health, and on top of that, we've just found out she recently had a mini-stroke. Please understand, she's not equipped to handle the stress load you are putting on her," her children said. "She feels, as she has said, 'I'm stuck in the middle.' She too knows and acknowledges the will was forged. She wants to do the right thing, and move in the direction of justice for her son and family, yet she fears the POWERS THAT BE."
Katherine Jackson's lawyer Perry Sanders disputed that she was in poor health. "Mrs. Jackson is extremely lucid and does a great job caring for Michael's children," Sanders said Wednesday.
The siblings also attacked Sanders, Katherine Jackson's manager, Lowell Henry, and adviser Trent Jackson for discouraging her from joining their challenge of the will's validity.
"Instead, her so-called advisers are convincing her to let them negotiate 'deals' with Branca and McClain on her behalf, or is it on the behalf of all of you," they wrote. "Her advisers' loyalty seems to be skewed by the percentage you offer them, preventing them from advising her properly."
Sanders responded that he's always been available "to speak with or meet with any of Mrs. Jackson's children to answer any questions they might have. It is unfortunate that they haven't taken me up on the offer."
(ABOVE: From left to right is Tito, Jermaine, Janet, and Randy Jackson, all of whom signed the letter slamming their brother's estate's executors.)
"Anyone who actually knows me knows my only loyalty in this matter is to Mrs. Jackson, and the public record of my success for her speaks for itself," Sanders said. He pointed to success in the estate paying off her $14 million civil court judgment to a South Korean company, persuading the estate not to sell the family's Hayvenhurst mansion and "helping get her family allowance increased almost tenfold, to name a few."
Earlier this month, Katherine Jackson also requested the estate provide an additional $34,700 a month to pay for lawyers and accountants, and another $205,041 to cover lawyer and accountant fees from 2011.
The siblings' letter told the executors they have "dishonored everything our brother stood for," adding that they "do not appreciate the public perception that the Jackson family is behind all of this, exploiting Michael our brother for financial gain, when it's the two of you and your affiliates who do so."
Finally, the five Jacksons wrote that they would "take every appropriate action to seek justice and to see to it that the truth be known."
"Be informed, we are considering retaining a law firm, Baker Hostetler, who have advised us on the potential criminal misconduct in your actions. We will hand this over to proper authorities," they wrote. (Just "considering," guys? LOL~)
Bates said the executors "have diligently carried out their fiduciary duties as well as their obligation to Michael to make sure that his estate benefits the only family members he named in his will, his mother and his three children."
Source - CNN.com
________________________________________
PLUS: Paris Jackson Lashes Out at Uncle Randy on Twitter
Michael Jackson's only daughter is going to war with one of her famous uncles ... claiming Randy Jackson is spreading dangerous lies about the family ... and she's calling him out in public.
It's all over a letter that supposedly "leaked" to the Internet this week, in which Randy (along with Jermaine, Janet, Tito and Rebbie) demand John Branca and John McClain resign from their positions as the executors of the Michael Jackson Estate, effective immediately.
In the sharply-pointed letter, the family claims Branca and McClain have "failed" in their duties ... taken advantage of the family ... and have stressed out Katherine Jackson so much, that she recently suffered a "mini-stroke."
Randy went to Twitter and verified the authenticity of the letter Tuesday night ... but the very next day, Paris called BS on her uncle.
(Read from top to bottom, in chronological order.)
After a Twitter follower directed her to Randy Jackson's original tweets, the 14-year-old confronted her uncle:
Paris has since deleted most of the tweets.
Late Wednesday (July 18) night, the teen also publicly apologized to her uncle for her fiery comments, adding that "an apology is an apology i don't care who you are or what you've done , i will have open ears and an open mind."
Sources - 1, 2
SMH at this mess . . . =_=
Los Angeles (CNN) -- Randy Jackson and four of his siblings sent a scathing letter to the men who control Michael Jackson's estate, accusing them of fraud and of abusing their mother.
"THIS HAS TO STOP NOW: NO MORE!!" the Jackson siblings wrote in the letter, originally obtained by Celebuzz.com.
The letter also suggested that their mother, Katherine Jackson, suffered a "mini-stroke" recently, which her lawyer quickly disputed. The controversy even led Paris Jackson, the late pop star's 14-year-old daughter, to use her Twitter account to weigh in. (See below.)
Relations between the Jackson family and executors John Branca and John McClain have been strained for most of the three years since Michael Jackson's sudden death on June 25, 2009.
The letter mostly repeats allegations made by family members, but it also threatens new legal action against Branca, an entertainment lawyer, and McClain, a music executive, who worked with Jackson at several points in his career.
"We know there is most certainly a conspiracy surrounding our brother's death and now coarse manipulation and fear are being used to cover it up," they wrote. "Your heartless pursuit of wealth, fame and power is at the expense of our family, whose deepest desire is to give to the world a gift of hope, love and unity through our music."
It was signed by Janet, Jermaine, Tito, Randy and Rebbie Jackson.
Jackie, Marlon and La Toya Jackson did not sign it -- nor did parents Joe and Katherine Jackson, both of whom previously filed challenges against the executors of son Michael's estate. (Katherine backed off her legal attack and Joe’s case was thrown out of court.)
"We are saddened that false and defamatory accusations grounded in stale Internet conspiracy theories are now being made by certain members of Michael's family whom he chose to leave out of his will," estate spokesman Jim Bates said in a statement to CNN. "We are especially disheartened that they come at a time when remarkable progress has been made to secure the financial future of his children by turning around the estate's finances as well as during a time when so many of Michael's fans, old and new, are enjoying his artistry through exciting new projects."
The Jacksons' letter comes on the heels of last week's announcement that the MJ estate has generated gross earnings exceeding $475 million as of the end of May. According to official documents (obtained by TMZ), all of Michael Jackson's debts have been paid, with the exception of a rather large debt involving the late singer's publishing catalog, which executors expect will be fully paid off by the end of the year.
The will, which was validated in probate court in the months after Jackson's 2009 death, put all Jackson's assets into a trust that benefited his mother, Katherine; his children, Prince, Paris and Blanket; and charities. Branca and McClain were named as executors.
The signature page indicated that Michael Jackson signed the will in Los Angeles on July 7, 2002, on which date the Jacksons insist he was actually in New York.
The siblings' letter charged that "without question, it's Fake. Flawed and Fraudulent." (It's worth noting that MJ's prior will, from the late 1990s, is virtually identical to the 2002 will. So if you want to revert back to an earlier, more "legit" will, Jackson family . . . well, you're screwed either way!)
(ABOVE: Co-executor John Branca on his wedding day -- circa 1987 -- photographed with Michael Jackson, who served as his best man. The pair's business relationship goes back decades.)
"Any doubts about the validity of Michael's will and his selection of executors were thoroughly and completely debunked two years ago when a challenge was rejected by the Los Angeles County Superior Court, the California Court of Appeals and, finally, the California Supreme Court," Bates said.
The Jackson brothers and sisters also accuse Branca and McClain of abusing their 82-year-old mother through lies and manipulations.
"Your actions are affecting her health, and on top of that, we've just found out she recently had a mini-stroke. Please understand, she's not equipped to handle the stress load you are putting on her," her children said. "She feels, as she has said, 'I'm stuck in the middle.' She too knows and acknowledges the will was forged. She wants to do the right thing, and move in the direction of justice for her son and family, yet she fears the POWERS THAT BE."
Katherine Jackson's lawyer Perry Sanders disputed that she was in poor health. "Mrs. Jackson is extremely lucid and does a great job caring for Michael's children," Sanders said Wednesday.
The siblings also attacked Sanders, Katherine Jackson's manager, Lowell Henry, and adviser Trent Jackson for discouraging her from joining their challenge of the will's validity.
"Instead, her so-called advisers are convincing her to let them negotiate 'deals' with Branca and McClain on her behalf, or is it on the behalf of all of you," they wrote. "Her advisers' loyalty seems to be skewed by the percentage you offer them, preventing them from advising her properly."
Sanders responded that he's always been available "to speak with or meet with any of Mrs. Jackson's children to answer any questions they might have. It is unfortunate that they haven't taken me up on the offer."
(ABOVE: From left to right is Tito, Jermaine, Janet, and Randy Jackson, all of whom signed the letter slamming their brother's estate's executors.)
"Anyone who actually knows me knows my only loyalty in this matter is to Mrs. Jackson, and the public record of my success for her speaks for itself," Sanders said. He pointed to success in the estate paying off her $14 million civil court judgment to a South Korean company, persuading the estate not to sell the family's Hayvenhurst mansion and "helping get her family allowance increased almost tenfold, to name a few."
Earlier this month, Katherine Jackson also requested the estate provide an additional $34,700 a month to pay for lawyers and accountants, and another $205,041 to cover lawyer and accountant fees from 2011.
The siblings' letter told the executors they have "dishonored everything our brother stood for," adding that they "do not appreciate the public perception that the Jackson family is behind all of this, exploiting Michael our brother for financial gain, when it's the two of you and your affiliates who do so."
Finally, the five Jacksons wrote that they would "take every appropriate action to seek justice and to see to it that the truth be known."
"Be informed, we are considering retaining a law firm, Baker Hostetler, who have advised us on the potential criminal misconduct in your actions. We will hand this over to proper authorities," they wrote. (Just "considering," guys? LOL~)
Bates said the executors "have diligently carried out their fiduciary duties as well as their obligation to Michael to make sure that his estate benefits the only family members he named in his will, his mother and his three children."
Source - CNN.com
________________________________________
PLUS: Paris Jackson Lashes Out at Uncle Randy on Twitter
Michael Jackson's only daughter is going to war with one of her famous uncles ... claiming Randy Jackson is spreading dangerous lies about the family ... and she's calling him out in public.
It's all over a letter that supposedly "leaked" to the Internet this week, in which Randy (along with Jermaine, Janet, Tito and Rebbie) demand John Branca and John McClain resign from their positions as the executors of the Michael Jackson Estate, effective immediately.
In the sharply-pointed letter, the family claims Branca and McClain have "failed" in their duties ... taken advantage of the family ... and have stressed out Katherine Jackson so much, that she recently suffered a "mini-stroke."
Randy went to Twitter and verified the authenticity of the letter Tuesday night ... but the very next day, Paris called BS on her uncle.
(Read from top to bottom, in chronological order.)
After a Twitter follower directed her to Randy Jackson's original tweets, the 14-year-old confronted her uncle:
Paris has since deleted most of the tweets.
Late Wednesday (July 18) night, the teen also publicly apologized to her uncle for her fiery comments, adding that "an apology is an apology i don't care who you are or what you've done , i will have open ears and an open mind."
Sources - 1, 2
SMH at this mess . . . =_=
But wow, I can't believe there's so many issues in this family.
Randy has been shot at by Tina Turner, spent time in a psych ward for beating his pregnant wife while she held his baby, has had arrest warrants for stealing from his own companies before he stole from Mike, tried to get his brother to sell his catalog through one of his shady friends during the 2005 court case, then tried to crash his security gate to get money from Mike and when MJ wouldn't come out he said he was going to call the media.
Janet married a drug addict, LaToya married a man Joe introduced her to who was being tracked by the FBI for attempted murder. Mike raised and paid for almost everyone's children in that family, to the point some of them call him "dad" and not their own deadbeat fathers.
also, hi lc! leothong/dangerous forever btw
Edited at 2012-07-19 05:45 pm (UTC)
Lol, one guy left his estate to his servants and his family members were pissed:
http://www.clutchmagonline.com/2011/0
Of course, this wouldn't really be an issue since MJ's kids are too young for that.
Edited at 2012-07-19 07:08 pm (UTC)
Or if the children are grown and not particularly outstanding parents, then the grandkids for college funds.
That is the kind of family that I really just love to see. I don't even think they were like "oh ya we'll each keep a bit and give her the rest," they gave her everything.
Yeah, Katherine's 50/60-year-old "cubs." Gimmie a break.
my mom is my primary benefactor for my life insurance - my sister is just second on the list
all of his assets/money should go to his children. All of his other siblings are already rich as fuck.
This is what Roger Friedman said, though: "Janet Jackson, I’m told, was pressured into signing a very vitriolic letter sent to Michael’s executors. 'The whole thing is really Jermaine and Randy,' says my source."
Who knows, tbh. =/
and janet being attached to this shocks me. i guess she thinks shes defending her brothers memory.
this is really upsetting because i LOVE her and have been a fan since her control album came out.
Paris is growing up to be such a gorgeous girl. I can kind of forgive her for the twitter-fighting because she's quite young, but I can't at Randy on there airing his dutty laundry... smh.
However, at least in 2007, the AP said MJ had a net worth of $236.6 million -- $567.6 million in assets, including Neverland and his half of the Sony/ATV catalog, which gave him an annual income of about $80 million.
Their siblings are grown adults. Why aren't they taking care of themselves?