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Friday, December 23, 2011

Michael Jackson Tribute Promoters File For Bankruptcy

Global Events LLC, company behind last month's 'Michael Forever' concert, reportedly owes thousands to contractors.
By James Montgomery

Photo: Ebet Roberts/ Redferns/ Getty Images

The company behind last month's controversial Michael Jackson tribute concert has filed for bankruptcy, reportedly due to massive debts owed to contractors who worked on the show.

Global Events LLC, the promoters of the "Michael Forever" concert in Wales, have turned their finances over to U.K.-based accounting firm RSM Tenon, according to the Welsh newspaper Western Mail. Tenon told the paper that they are "currently conducting our initial review of the business," and reports state that Global Events owes "thousands of pounds" to workers, including members of the U.K. broadcasting union Bectu.

The "Michael Forever" tribute concert was held on October 8 in Cardiff, Wales, and though the show went on — featuring performances by Christina Aguilera, Jamie Foxx, Cee Lo Green and Ne-Yo — it was beset by difficulties from the onset. The Jackson estate expressed their disapproval that they were not consulted over use of Jackson's image, Jackson's brothers Jermaine and Randy called into question the timing of the concert (given the then-ongoing trial of Jackson's former physician, Dr. Conrad Murray), and in the days leading up to the show, announced headliners Kiss were pulled after lead singer Gene Simmons reportedly made derogatory comments about the late King of Pop.

The Black Eyed Peas and Jennifer Hudson — both of whom were also announced as performers at the show — also pulled out before the gig.

Global Events was established in March by producers Michael Henry and Chris Hunt, though according to the Western Mail, both men left the partnership on the day of the concert. When contacted by the newspaper for comment on the company's bankruptcy, Henry said, "All enquires about Global Events should be made [to RSM Tenon]."

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Source:
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1675058/michael-jackson-concert-promoters-bankruptcy.jhtml

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Michael Jackson Doctor Can't Afford Lawyer For Appeal

Conrad Murray asks judge for a court-appointed attorney to appeal his involuntary manslaughter conviction.
By Gil Kaufman

Dr. Conrad Murray arrives for his arraignment of at the Airport Los Angeles Courthouse today
Photo: Frederick M. Brown/ Getty Images

Just weeks after being sent to jail for four years following a conviction on a felony involuntary manslaughter charge in the death of Michael Jackson, cardiologist Conrad Murray is throwing himself on the mercy of the court.

The doctor had been slated to earn up to $150,000 a month to act as Jackson's personal physician before the pop icon's death in June 2009 from an overdose of the Murray-administered surgical anesthetic propofol. But on Tuesday E! News reported that Murray filed a notice of appeal in Los Angeles Superior Court in which he claimed that he is "indigent and respectfully requests the appointment of counsel on appeal."

Murray, 58, is planning to appeal both his conviction and his sentence, but has not yet filed papers with the California Appeals Court. He had hired two lawyers to handle his manslaughter case, but is now seeking attorneys with appeal experience. One of those former lawyers, J. Michael Flanagan, told E! that he was shocked at how his client is being treated in jail.

"It is crazy and unbelievable how [the sheriffs] are treating" Murray in jail, said Flanagan, who claimed he waited over an hour to see Murray, who was brought out in handcuffs and leg chains. Flanagan was further shocked to see Murray handcuffed to the table for their meeting, something the lawyer said he'd never seen before in the case of a low-level, non-violent offender.

Charles Peckham, who is handling civil cases against Murray, told the Associated Press that his client is under tight security and isolation that is more intense than other inmates at the Los Angeles Men's Central Jail.

"Treating him like Hannibal Lecter is offensive," said Peckham. "This man who saved lives made a mistake, and they're going to [make] him pay like a mass-murderer." Sheriff's officials defended the tight security, saying it was for Murray's safety.

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