2009
June 16 : This week, local D.C. attorney Henry W. Asbill of Dewey and LeBoeuf LLP appeared in court to represent Michael Jackson against the charges filed by Raymone Bain. Also, three additional attorneys from the New York firm have been arranged to help work on the case pro hac vice (as they aren’t legally licensed to practice law in D.C.) alongside Mr. Asbill, including Frank C. Salzano, Donna L Gordon, and most notably L. Londell McMillan. It is now expected that a response to the suit will be filed before the 10-day default notice is up–later this week, and that no default judgment will be awarded.
June 01 : In a letter signed by Michael, Leonard Rowe is preventing from working or speaking on his behalf. Frank Dileo is now the one and only Michael’s manager.
May 15 : Michael attends a business meeting at the Beverly Hills Hotel with his parents Joe and Katherine, Randy Philips, his business associate Paul Gongaware and Leonard Rowe. Later he goes shopping with the kids and he also goes to Dr Klein’s in Beverly Hills.
May 5 : Raymone Bain, Michael’s former manager and spokersperson, files a lawsuit in Washington D.C claiming breach of contract; quantum meruit and unjust enrichment and she asks for 44 millions $.
Dr. Tohme Tohme is officially terminated as Michael’s manager and disbarred from having any subsequent affiliation with him or any of his numerous established entities (including MJJ Productions and the newer MJJ Kingdom).
Michael hires Frank Dileo as his new manager.
April 14 : LOS ANGELES – A collection of Michael Jackson’s possessions from Neverland Ranch is safe from the auctioneer’s gavel now that the pop singer and Julien’s Auction House have reached a settlement to their dispute over whether 2,000 items were ever intended for sale.Specific terms were not disclosed. But, in short, Jackson keeps his things, while Julien’s keeps its exhibition, which was open to the public and originally meant to promote next week’s sale.”There was so much interest from so many of Jackson’s fans that instead of putting the items in the hands of private collectors, Dr. Tohme and Julien’s Auction House have made arrangements that will allow the collection to be shared with and enjoyed by Jackson’s fans for many years to come,” read a joint statement from Jackson spokesman Dr. Tohme R. Tohme and auction organizer Darren Julien.Jackson’s production company, MJJ Productions, sued Julien in early March, seeking to halt the sale by arguing that Jackson hadn’t authorized it. A judge blocked one effort by MJJ Productions to cancel it earlier this month, and another was scheduled to hear arguments Wednesday for an injunction.”I believe both sides are pleased with the resolution,” Julien said Tuesday by telephone.Julien has said he spent $2 million organizing the sale, which another auctioneer estimated could have fetched $12 million after its April 22 start. The exhibition in Beverly Hills costs $20 to attend, and auction catalogues — a $50 single volume and $200, five-volume boxed set — were still selling, Julien said.The statement also said MJJ Productions and Julien’s Auction House would be making a “substantial” donation to MusiCares to benefit artists in need.Julien said all of Jackson’s possessions, which the auction house took directly from the Neverland Ranch property, would be returned to the pop singer. He would not say where they would be taken.
Michael has a meeting with Leonard Rowe & Joe Jackson at his home in Beverly Hills and signs the letter adressed to Randy Philips of AEG to advise him that he has appointed Leonard Rowe as his representative.
April 1 : Michael goes to the Bel Air Hotel for a business meeting with Dr Tohme.
March 25 : In a lettrer adressed to AEG’s Randy Philips, Michael names Leonard Rowe as his authorized representative in all matters concerning his endeavors in the Entertainment Industry.
March 04 : MJJ Productions, file a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court on against Julien’s Auction House. It claims founder Darren Julien promised to send Michael an inventory of sale items, but that the singer hasn’t given permission to move them all.The suit claims many of the items are “priceless and irreplaceable” and describes the attempt to sell them as “malicious, fraudulent, extreme, outrageous and without any legal justification whatsoever.”MJJ Productions authorized the auction house to remove the items from Jackson’s Neverland Ranch, according to court documents, but not to sell them without Jackson’s permission.
February 07 : Michael goes to the Bel Air Hotel for a business meeting with Dr Tohme.
January 28 : Meeting at the Carolwood mansion : Michael (with Blanket, Peter Lopez and Dr Tohme Tohme by his side), meets an AEG delegation headed by Philip Anschutz, its billionaire founder, AEG’s chief executive Tim Leiweke, Randy Phillips, who heads up AEG Live and Paul Gongaware. Michael signs a deal for 10 concerts in London next summer and he also accepts to submit to a rigorous medical check-up.
2008
December 24 : The golden gates of Neverland are removed and put into storage in an nondescript warehouse on the outskirts of Los Angeles as part of a public auction next April 2009. More than 2,000 items, ranging from personal effects and costumes to pieces from Michael’s private art collection as well as fittings and furnishings from his Neverland ranch, will be up for sale at a four-day public auction at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles.
November 23 : Michael cancels his trip to London upon learning that his legal team has reached a settlement with Sheik Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa’s lawyers.
November 21 (Day 4) : Testimonies of Grace Rwaramba, Guy Holmes and Mark Stewart.
November 20 (Day 3) : Michael’s lawyer Robert Englehart tells the judge on that the doctors have cleared Michael to travel to the UK so that he can testify.
November 18 (Day 2) : Testimony of Sheik Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
November 17 : Day 1 of Sheik Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa VS Michael Jackson trial in London. Michael’s lawyers ask for him to give evidence by video link from the U.S., citing an unspecified medical condition.
November 11 : Michael has given up title to his Neverland ranch, transferring the deed to a company he partly controls. The singer filed a grant deed on the ranch that makes the new owner an entity called the Sycamore Valley Ranch Co. LLC, a joint venture between Jackson and an affiliate of Colony Capital LLC,Colony Capital is a Los Angeles-based real estate investment company run by billionaire Tom Barrack. It owns several properties in Las Vegas, including the Las Vegas Hilton.
October 31 : Michael meets with Dr Tohme and Randy Phillips at the Bel Air Hotel to talk about the AEG deal.
October 20 : Michael has a meeting at the Bel Air Hotel with Dr Tohme and Randy Phillips to discuss a new tour with AEG.
August 29 : Colony Capital reaches out to AEG Live to discuss a possible new tour for Michael.
August 07 : Michael’s manager Dr Tohme sign an agreement with Julien’s Auction House on behalf of Michael in order to remove all his personal belongings from Neverland while simlutaneously arranging for an auction of certain selected items that were no longer desired by Michael.
Late June : Michael hires Dr Thome Thome as his new manager and president of MJJ Productions.
As a result of a financial reorganiation of the Neverland Valley Ranch, all of Michael’s personal belongings have o be removed from the property.
Dr Tohme R Tohme contact Darren Julien of Julien’s Auction House.
June 3 : Michael has dinner with Thomas Barrack Jr, chairman and CEO of Colony Capital LLC, at the Las Vegas Hilton’s Verona Sky Villa.
Early may : Dr Tohme calls Tom Barrack to wire $23 million in order to save Neverland from foreclosure. In exchange Barrack and his company Colony Capital receive 50 percent ownership of Neverland.
April 23 : Jermaine introduces Dr Tohme Tohme to Michael.
Mid January : Michael Amir aka Brother Michael arrives in Las Vegas and steps up as Michael’s new personal assistant. Nation Of Islam takes over Michael’s security.
2007
December 31 : The loan on the Sony/ATV music catalog is refinanced which provides 25 millions dollars in cash to Michael.
December 27 : Both Michael and Raymone enter into a “Payment and Release Agreement” terminating her employment as Mchael’s manager and president of the MJ Company against the payment of $488,820.05.
Late October : Michael decides to replace Raymone Bain with Londell Mc Millan, a high profile attorney. The too of them meet in New Jersey.
October 22 : Fortress Investment Group files a Notice of Default and Election To Sell iwi the State of California. MJ owes the full principal 23 millions dollars mortgage plus 212 963 dollars in interest. Reports of foreclosure proceedings against Neverland Ranch are published.
October 15 : At the High Court in London, Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad al-Khalifa’ lawyers file a lawsuit against Michael Jackson allegedly reneging on a $7 million “pay-back” agreement designed to repay money he advanced to Jackson during his financial troubles. He said he and Jackson entered into a “combined rights agreement” under which the star was committed to a recording contract, an autobiography and a musical stage play.
September 25 : Los Angeles Judge Joseph S. Biderman dismisses the Dieter Wiesner case. The parties agreed to take part in the settlement discussions weeks ago. After a friendly deposition of Michael Jackson, the parties agreed to dismiss not only parts of the claims, but the entire case.
July 25 : Michael goes to the law offices of Venable LLP in Washington to give a deposition in the $30 million lawsuit brought by his former manager, Dieter Wiesner. He is accompanied his attorney, William Mundell and Wiesner by his partner Ronald Konitzer and his attorney: Howard King.
June 25 : Michael’s lawyers agree to a judgment directing him to pay $216,000, plus interest to The law firm of Ayscough and Marar that sued him for overdue fees.
June 18 : Michael’s lawyers settle a lawsuit brought by Prescient Acquisition that was seeking $48 million. The confidential settlement is signed by the Judge just as jury selection is set to begin in U.S. District Court in Manhattan.
June : Michael “Brother Michael” Amir Williams is hired as Michael’s new assistant.
April : Michael replaces Feldman with Bill Withfield as his new personal assistant.
February 27 : Michael gives a deposition for the Ayscough & Marar lawsuit.
January : Michael has a meeting in Las Vegas with Peter Lopez, Raymone Bain and Randy Phillips to discuss about a possible tour.
2006
December 21 : Michael’s attorneys file a lawsuit in the Los Angeles Superior Court against the company Bernstein, Fox, Whitman, Goldman and Sloan, claiming negligence and breach of fiduciary duty.
September 29 : Michael and Debbie have reached a confidential settlement over their 3 years long dispute regarding Debbie’s visitation rights on Prince & Paris & money compensation.
July 14 (verdict day) : In a split decision, Santa Monica civil court jury awards $900,000 to Schaffel in his complaint and $200,000 to Michael in his cross-complaint F. Marc Schaffel originally sued for $3.8 million, but his claims were later reduced to $1.6 million, and his attorney ultimately asked the jury for $1.4 million in unpaid loans and expenses before deliberations began Thursday. Michael’s attorney had said Schaffel owed the pop star $660,000.
July 13 (Day 10) : Thomas Mundell gives his closing arguments and the case goes to Jury deliberations.
July 12 (Day 9) : Jan Goren is cross examided. The defense rests its case and Howard King gives his closing arguments.
July 11 (Day 8) : Zia Modabber is cross examined bu Schaffel’s lawyer. The defense then calls forensinc accountant Jan Goren.
July 10 (Day 7) : The defense calls Michael’s former lawyer Zia Modabber.
July 7 (Day 6) : End of Schaffel’s cross examination. Howard King shows the Jury more of Michael’s depositions + audio clips of Michael’s voicemails left on Schaffel’s answering machine. He then rests his case and the defense calls her next witness Raul Perez.
July 6 (Day 5) : Marc Schaffel is cross examined bu Thomas Mundell and the Jurors get to see more of Michael’s videotaped deposition.
July 5 (Day 4) : Testimonies of Marc Schaffel and Al Malnik.
July 3 : Debbie sues Michael at Los Angeles Superior Court for failing to pay her what he promised after their divorce. She seeks an immediate payment of $ 195,000 + $50,000 in living expenses.
June 30 (Day 3) : The defenses calls Evelyn Tavasci, Michael’s personal assistant since 1991.
June 29 (Day 2) : Howard King opens his case by showing the Jury part of Michael’s videotaped deposition then he calls his first witness Allan Whitman.
June 28 (Day 1 of Shaffel VS Jackson civil trial) : A jury is selected in Santa Monica and Suprior Court Judge Jacqueline Connor allows Michael ‘s lawyer, Thomas Mundell & Schaffel’s lawyer Howard King to give mini opening statements.
June 27 : Michael Jackson Announces Organizational Changes Go down
In what is the first of a sweeping restructuring of his personal and business affairs, Michael has severed ties with his long-time accounts and business managers, Bernstein, Fox, Whitman, Goldman and Sloan, with Bahrani attorneys Qays Zu’bi and Grahame Nelson, and Gut Records executive, Guy Holmes.
He has also established The Michael Jackson Company, Inc., with plans to phase out MJJ Productions. In other related matters, he has named Spokesperson Raymone K. Bain as General Manager, and has retained N.Y.-based L. Londell McMillan and The McMillan Firm, known for business restructurings and turnarounds, to oversee legal matters pertaining to his business affairs. Michael has previously announced plans to record an album which he predicts will be released in 2007. His recent Japan tour was the first in what will be a line of public appearances, and he is reviewing numerous offers to tour musically, which he plans to embark upon within the next several months.Michael, who is currently in Ireland on personal business, plans on relocating to Europe in the near future. He is continuing to build his management team and other appointments will be forthcoming.
June 1 : Michael and Raymone Bain sign an agreement appointing her as his personal general manager and president of his new company, The Michael Jackson Company.
May 24 : The California Supreme Court declines Michael’s appeal against ex-wife Debbie Rowe regarding her parental rights.
June 12 : Michael gives a deposition in the Prescient case in Versailles, France.
May 24 : The California Supreme Court declines Michael’s appeal against ex-wife Debbie Rowe regarding her parental rights.
May 22 : Michael is in London to give a second deposition for the Marc Schaffel’s lawsuit.
May 20 : Michael meets with Prince Abdulla for the last time and informs his host that he is travelling to London and Tokyo.
April 19 : Michael meets with Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at the Safriya Palace in Safriya, Bahrain.
April 18 : It is announced that Michael has hired English music mogul Guy Holmes as new manager who is also named CEO of Two Seas Records, the label founded by ruler Sheik Abdulla Hamad Al-Khalifa and Jermaine Jackson. Michael is currently writing a new album which is due for release late next year on 2 Seas Records.
April 17 : District Judge Eldon Fallon dismisses the suit brought by Joseph Bartucci Jr., who claimed he was lured into Michael ‘s limousine during the 1984 world’s fair in New Orleans and held for nine days, during which he was both sexually and physically assaulted. The lawsuit filed in November 2004 sought unspecified damages.
April 13 : It is announced that Michael has restructured his finances. “Following negotiations with several leading financial institutions, Mr. Jackson has concluded refinancing with affiliates of Fortress Investment Group, the lender that currently holds secured debts that were previously held by Bank of America,” the statement said.
Qays H. Zubi Attorneys & Legal Consultants was part of an advisory team that included Bahrain-based financial adviser Ahmed Al Khan, it said.
The music catalogue that Jackson co-owns, known as Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, includes 200 Beatles hits and is thought to be worth $1 billion. The deal ultimately would require Jackson to sell half of his 50 percent share in the catalogue to Sony, the Wall Street Journal and New York Times reported Thursday, citing anonymous sources familiar with the negotiations.
Early April : Michael’s lawyers file a Petition for Review with the California State Supreme Court. They ask the State Court to review an earlier decision that helps clear the way for Debbie to argue for custody rights to Prince & Paris.
March 16 : Employees of Neverland are summoned to the ranch in staggered groups, given back pay for 12 weeks and are told the ranch had been shut down by Michael…
March 13 : Michael has dinner with Prince Abdullah.
March 9 : Following complaints from Neverland employees who haven’t been paid since December 23, authorities decide to close the ranch and order Michael to pay $69,000 in fines for allowing his insurance to lapse + $100,000 in fines for not paying the employees and $306,000 for the 3 months wages of the 69 employees.
February 23 : Thomas Mesereau confirms that he is no longer Michael’s attorney but they remain close friends.
February 15 : The California Court of Appeal rules that Debbie Rowe’s parental rights were not terminated by an earlier court order and that she can pursue custody of Prince & Paris.
2005
December 19 : Court hearing in the Debbie Rowe’ s children visitation rights case in Los Angeles.
On the eve of the deadline date for the reimboursement of Michael’s 270 millions loan to Bank Of America, Fortress Investments accepts to give one more delay to Michael…
December 5 : Michael goes to an emergency dentist in Muscat, during his stay in Oman. He is treated by Dr. Samia Taufiq Asfour.
November 21 : Michael’s former business partner & adviser Dieter Wiesner files a civil complaint against Michael & his society Triumph in Los Angeles demanding $64 million for fraud & breach of contract of MJ Net Entertainment.
October 27 : Michael’s lawyer Brent Ayscough confirms that Michael has filed a counter suit against Marc Schaffel , accusing him of concealing and misappropriating funds and he has also settled a lawsuit filed by an antiques dealer who alleged he had not fully paid for $380,000 worth of goods.
September 23 : Michael is at the Dorchester Hotel in London to give a deposition for Marc Schaffel’s suit. He’s accompanied by his lawyers Thomas Mesereau & Michael Sydow while Schaffel is accompanied by his lawyer Howard King & Dieter Wiesner.
August 18 : Court Hearing in the Joseph Bartucci case in New Orleans . Judge Eldon Fallon fines Michael $ 10 000 for failing to be represented at a previous hearing. Michael’s new attorney is Charles Gay & Bartucci’s new attorney is William Pigg.
July 20 : In New Orleans , judge Fallon is furious that neither Michael nor any of his layers attended a court proceeding in the Joseph Bartucci case.
Judge Melville orders Sneddon to give back any material belonging to Michael & raided at Neverland except the 1993 body pictures…
July 11 : Michael Jackson is being sued for $48m in fees by a financial firm that claims the singer owes the money for assistance in refinancing bank debts and claiming a larger stake in a library of The Beatles songs. The company, Prescient Acquisition Group (also known as Prescient Capital Corp), filed a lawsuit against Jackson in the US District Court in Manhattan on Monday evening. According to the lawsuit, the company was employed by Jackson’s MJ Publishing Trust in November 2004 to help him secure financing of $537.5m through another company. The money from the refinancing allowed the singer to pay off bank debts and buy the other half of The Beatles library of songs, which he did not already own. The company has claimed that Jackson and MJ Publishing Trust have not honoured a deal which was agreed, promising Prescient fees worth 9 per cent of the completed financing.
June 17 : Michael’s passeport is returned to him as well as his $3 million bail.
June 13 (June 63/Verdict day) : The Jury reaches a verdict. Michael and the Jackson family goes to court where he is acquitted on all counts! They go back to Neverland. The trial is over. Family and friends gather at Neverland to celebrate but Michael is too tired and he goes to sleep early.
June 3-13 : While Jury deliberations take place, the whole Jackson family waits for the verdict at Neverland.
June 3 (Day 62) : Michael goes to court with Katherine, Joe, Janet and LaToya. Tom Mesereau completes his closing arguments.
June 2 (Day 61) : Michael goes to court with Katherine, Joe, Randy, Jermaine & Tito. Ron Zonen gives his closing statement followed by Tom Mesereau who doesn’t have time to finish.
June 1 : Michael goes to court with Katherine, Joe & Randy where Judge Melville gives the Jury the rules of Jury Deliberations. No witnesses called.
May 27 (Day 60) : Michael goes to court with Katherine, Joe & Randy. Craig Bonner (Re-called) Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Steve Robel (Re-called) Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross. The prosecution rests their rebuttal by showing the Jury a video of Gavin police deposition in July 2003. The defense declines to make a rebuttal so Judge Melville declares the testimonies over. Judge Melville’s Jury Instructions. In a final attempt to allow the jurors to convict on any possible charge, in this final evolution of counts Melville allowed the jurors to also convict MJ on “lesser included offenses” – which were also rejected by the jury.
May 26 (Day 59) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. : Gina Villegas Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Donna Aggers Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct; George Erwin Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Theresa Marquez Direct, Cross; William Dickerman Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Christin.
May 25 (Day 58) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Chris Tucker Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Timothy Patrick Rooney Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Shane Meridith Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Jesus Salas Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Victor Alvarez Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross.
May 24 (Day 57) : Michael goes to court with Katherine. Jay Leno Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct; Sulli McCullugh Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Monica De La Santos Wakefield Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Elizabeth Mary Holzer Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Anthony Ranieri Direct; Karen.
May 23 (Day 56) : Michael goes to court with Katherine. Maria Gomez (Re-called) Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Mike Radakovich Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Mercy Dee Manrriquez Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Marian Arvizo Direct, Cross; Connie Keenan Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross.
May 20 (Day 55) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Randy. Laurence Nimmer Direct, Cross (contd), Re-direct, Re-cross; Mark Geragos (Re-called) Cross (Contd).
May 19 (Day 54) : Michael goes to court with Katherine. The judge refuses to allow the testimonies of Larry King & Michael Viner because they are “hearsay”. Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Azja Pryor Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Laurence Nimmer Direct, Cross. The defense then proceed by showing to the Jury a video presentation of Neverland.
May 18 (Day 53) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Randy. Simone Jackson Direct (Contd), Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Rijo Jackson Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Michelle Henriette Jackson Direct, Cross; Christian Robinson Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Vernee Watson Johnson Direct.
May 17 (Day 52) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Randy. Angel Vivanco Direct (Contd), Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Irene Lavern Peters Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct; Karen Walker Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Simone Jackson Direct.
May 16 (Day 51) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Randy. Jean Lorraine Seamont Direct, Cross; Tiffany Haynes Direct, Cross; Carole McCoy Direct; Kathryn Bernerd Direct; Maria Gomez Direct, Cross; Shane Meridith Direct, Cross; Brian Salce Direct, Cross; Russell Robert Birchim Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cr.
May 13 (Day 50) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. David G. Legrand Cross (Contd), Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct, Further Re-cross; Mark Geragos Direct, Cross.
May 12 (Day 49) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Carlos Velasco Direct, Cross, Re-direct; David G. Legrand Direct, Cross.
May 11 (Day 48) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Joseph Marcus Re-cross (contd), Further Re-direct; Macaulay Culkin Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; James F Van Norman Direct, Cross, Re-direct. The defense then shows the Jury the outtakes of the Bashir interviews.
May 10 (Day 47) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Joseph Marcus Direct (contd), Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross.
May 9 (Day 46) : Michael goes to court with Katherine, Joe & Jermaine. Francin Contreras Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Gayle Goforth Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Violet Silva Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct; Ramon Velasco Direct, Cross; Joseph Marcus Direct.
May 6 (Day 45) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Joy Robson Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct; Chantal Robson Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct, Further Re-cross; Marie Lisbeth Barnes Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Karlee Barnes Direct, Cross, Re-direct.
May 5 (Day 44) : Michael goes to court with Katherine, Joe & Jermaine. The defense opens his case with the testimonies of Wade Robson & Brett Barnes (who stay at Neverland with their families).
May 4 (Day 43) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Rudy Provencio Direct (Contd), Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct.
May 3 (Day 42) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. David Saunders Direct, Cross; Jeff Klapakis (Re-called) Direct, Cross; Craig Bonner (Re-called) Direct, Cross; Paul Zelis (Re-called) Cross (Contd); Steve Robel Direct, Cross; John Duross O’Bryan, Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Further Re-direct, Further Re-cross.
May 2 (Day 41) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Beverly Wagner Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Craig Bonner (Re-called) Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Paul Zelis (Re-called) Direct, Cross.
April 29 (Day 40) : Michael goes to court with Katherine, Joe & Jackie. The prosecution shows the Jury a book on children found at Neverland…in 1993! Rosibel Ferrufino Smith Direct; Craig Bonner Direct, Cross; Harry Koons Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Rosibel Smith Direct, Cross; Ian Drew Direct, Cross.
April 28 (Day 39) : Michael goes to court with Katherine, Joe & Jackie. Deborah Rowe Jackson Direct (Contd), Cross, Re-direct; Iris Joan Finsilver Direct; Andrew R Dietz Direct; Jeffrey Schwartz Direct, Cross; Crystalee Danko Direct; Jennifer Simmons Direct; Joe J Corral Jr Direct.
April 27 (Day 38) : Michael goes to court with Katherine, Joe & Jackie. Hamid Moleshi Cross (contd), Re-direct, Re-cross, Terry Paulsen Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Gabriel Dominguez Direct, Cross; Anne Morie Sims Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Joseph Shebroe Direct, Cross; Jeanne Mulcahy Direct; Deborah Rowe Jackson Direct.
April 26 (Day 37) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Cynthia Montgomery Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct; Jeff Klapakis Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Hamid Moleshi Direct.
April 25 (Day 36) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Kassim Abdool Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Jeff Klapakis (Recalled) Direct, Cross; Craig Bonner (Recalled) Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct; Victor Alvarez Direct.
April 21 (Day 35) : Michael goes to court with Katherine. Brian Barron Cross (Contd), Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct, Further Re-cross; Stephen Cleaves Direct, Cross; Timothy Sutcliffe (Re-called) Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Timothy Rooney Direct, Cross; Steven Moeller Direct, Cross; Jeff Klapakis (Re).
April 20 (Day 34) : Michael goes to court with Katherine. Brian Barron Direct, Cross.
April 19 (Day 33) : Michael goes to court with Katherine. Janet Jackson Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct; Victor M Alvarez Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Mario A Ventura, Direct; William F Caldwell Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Rod Forney Direct, Cross; Michael Davey Direct, Cross; Janet Williams Direct, Cross.
April 18 (Day 32) : Michael goes to court with Katherine. Janet Jackson Cross (Contd), Re-direct.
April 15 (Day 31) : Michael goes to court with Katherine. The prosecution shows the Jury surveillance videos of the Arvizo family by Brad Miller. Janet Jackson Direct (Contd), Cross.
April 14 (Day 30) : Michael goes to court with Katherine. Janet Jackson Direct (Contd).
April 13 (Day 29) : Michael goes to court with Katherine. Jay D Jackson Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct, Further Re-cross; Janet Jackson Direct.
April 12 (Day 28) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Jackie. Testimony of Jay Jackson (Gavin’s stepfather). Jay Jackson is cross examined. He is followed by his wife Janet Arvizo Jackson who pleads the 5th amendment to avoid questions about her welfare fraud.
April 11 (Day 27) : Michael goes to court with Katherine, Tito & Jackie. Bob Jones Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct; Stacy Brown Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; June Chandler, Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Dwayne Swingler Direct, Cross, Re-direct.
April 8 (Day 26) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Tito. Adrian Marie McManus (Contd) Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct; Phillip LeMarque Direct Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct, Further Re-cross.
April 7 (Day 25) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Tito. Ralph Chacon Direct, Cross, Re-dircet, Re-cross; Adrian Marie McManus Direct, Cross.
April 5 (Day 24) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Jason Francia is cross examined. Then his lawyer Chriss Kallman & his mother Blanca Francia testify.
April 4 (Day 23) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Jesus Salas is cross examined. Jesus Salas (Contd) Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Jason Francia Direct, Cross.
April 1 (Day 22) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Jeff Klapakis (Contd) Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Jack Green Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct; Larry Feldman, Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct, Further Re-cross; Jesus Salas Direct.
March 30 (Day 21) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Cynthia Ann Bell Re-direct, Re-cross, Re-direct continued; Stan J Katz Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Re-direct; William Dickerman Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Jeff Klapakis (Recalled) Direct, Cross.
March 29 (Day 20) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Robert Spinner Direct (contd), Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Jamie Masada Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Cynthia Ann Bell Direct, Cross.
March 28 (Day 19) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. 1108 motion ruling; George Lopez Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Ann Serrano Lopez Direct, Cross, Re-direct; Robert Spinner Direct (re-called) (re-opened).
March 25 (Day 18) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Testimonies about Michael & Gavin’s DNA found on the same porno magazine. Timothy Sutcliffe Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Direct, Further Cross; Alicia Romero Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Nancy Diana Torres Direct, Cross; Michelle Shelley Direct, Cross, Re-direct; James Wittenbrock Direct, Cross, Re-di.
March 24 (Day 17) : Michael goes to court with Katherine, Joe, Jackie & Marlon. Dr. Antonio Cantu Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Direct, Further Cross; Lisa Susan Roote Henman Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross, Further Direct, Further Cross; Charlene Marie Direct & Cross; Heriberto Martinez JR. Direct & Cross; Timo.
March 23 (Day 16) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Robert Charles Cooley Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross; Freddy Padilla Direct, Cross; Craig Bonner Direct, Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross Further Direct, Further Cross; Dr. Antonio Cantu Direct & Cross.
March 22 (Day 15) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Louise Palanker Direct, Cross, Redirect, Re-cross & Further Redirect.
March 21 (Day 14) : Michael is once again taken to the hospital because of back pain. He then goes to court with Katherine, Joe & Jackie where a doctor explains the health state of Michael to the judge who agrees to let him go home. Conn Abel Direct & Cross; Anthony Joseph Urquizo Direct, Cross, Redirect & Recross; Lauren Wallace Direct, Cross & Redirect; Louise Palanker Direct.
March 17 (Day 13) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. Fritz Coleman – Direct, Cross & Redirect. Kiki Fournier – Direct & Redirect. Ruby Wolff – Direct & Redirect. Shawn O’Grady – Direct & Redirect. Jeffery Ellis – Direct & Redirect. Conn Abel – Direct & Redirect.
March 16 (Day 12) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Joe. The prosection shows to the Jury the erotic material found during the Neverland search. Steve Robel Cross, Re-direct, Re-cross. Paul Zelis Direct, Cross.
March 15 (Day 11) : Michael goes to court with Katherine, Joe, Jackie & Tito. Mesereau completes Gavin’s cross examinations. The following prosecution witnesses are Terry Flaa, Steve Robel & Jeff Klapakis.
March 14 (Day 10) : Michael goes to court with Katherine, Joe, Jackie & Tito. Mesereau cross-examines Gavin.
March 10 (Day 9) : Michael arrives one hour late and dressed with pajamas with Katherine, Joe, Jermaine & Tito because a terrible back-ache took him to the emergency room of the hospital. Gavin’s testimony resumes.
March 9 (Day 8) : Michael goes to court with Katherine, Joe, Jermaine & Tito. Mesereau completes the cross examination. The next witness is Gavin Arvizo.
March 8 (Day 7) : Michael goes to court with Katherine, Joe & Jermaine. Mesereau cross examines Star.
March 7 (Day 6) : Michael goes to court with Katherine, Joe & Jermaine. Mesereau finishes Davellin Arvizo’s cross examination. The prosecution presents the audio interview of the Arvizo family to the Jury before calling their next witness : Star Arvizo.
March 4 (Day 5) : Michael goes to court with Katherine, LaToya & Jermaine. The prosecution shows the rebuttal interview of the Arvizo family made by Michael’s team. Davellin Arvizo is cross examined by Mesereau.
March 3 (Day 4) : Michael goes the court with Jackie & Katherine. The prosecution shows a video of the Neverland search to the Jury. Albert Lafferty testifies followed by Davellin Arvizo.
March 2 (Day 3) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Jackie. Ann Gabriel is cross examined by the defense.
March 1 (Day 2) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Jackie. Mesereau completes his opening statement. The prosecution opens his case by showing the Martin Bashir documentary to the Jury before calling Bashir as the first witness. His testimony is followed by the one of Ann Gabriel.
February 28 (Day 1 of the trial) : Michael goes to court with Katherine & Jermaine. District attorney Thomas Sneddon Jr gives his opening statement followed by Thomas Mesereau’s.
February 25 : Michael goes to court to attend the last preliminary hearing before the trial starts.
February 24 (day 6) : Michael goes to court where the 8 alternate members of the Jury are selected.
February 23 (day 5) : Michael goes to court where the 8 members of the Jury are selected.
February 22 (day 4) : Michael goes to court where Jury selection continues.
February 14 (day 3) : Michael goes to court where Jury selection resumes after a break due to Mesereau’s sister death.
February 1 (day 2) : Michael goes to court where Jury selection continues.
January 31 (Day 1 of Jury selection) : Michael arrives at court without his family and friends due to a lack of space in the courtroom.
January 30 : Michael releases a video statement approved by Judge Melville, calling leaks from the grand jury “disgusting and false.”, asserting that he “will be acquitted and vindicated when the truth is told.”
2004
December 21 : Hamid Moslehi (Michael’s videographer from 96 to 2003) files a civil complaint agains’t Michael for non payment of his work on Take 2 and Private Home Movies.
December 20 : During a hearing at the Santa Maria Courthouse, Judge Melville refuses defense request to delay the trial for 6 weeks.
December 4 : Michael accepts to provide a sample of his saliva to the police for DNA testing.
December 3 : More than one year after searching Neverland, the Santa Barabara Police investigators come back to the ranch to make pictures and measures…
November 29 : Michael’s lawyers go to the Santa Maria courthouse where Judge Melville refuses them the right to have a psychiatrist analyse the Arvizo family.
November 16 : Marc Schaffel files a civil complaint in Los Angeles seeking 3 $ millions for money loans. He reveals that he has written a tell all book about Michael with Stuart Backerman.
November 4 : Michael’s lawyers go to the Santa Maria Courthouse where Judge Melville refuses to withdraw Tom Sneddon from the case.
A man called Joseph Bartucci files a civil complaint in New Orleans claiming that Michael abused him in May 1984 when he was 18 and he supposedly suppressed that from his memory until 2003…
October 15 : Steve Cochran leaves Michael’s legal team.
October 14 : Michael’s layers go to the Santa Maria Courthouse where Judge Melville refuses to withdraw the case and to suppress any elements taken during the search of Neverland and Brad Millers’ offIce.
October 4 : Michael’s lawyers present a motion to withdraw Tom Sneddon from the case because of his too personal involvment.
September 17 (7th day): Even though his presence is not complulsory, Michael goes to the Santa Maria . Accompanied by Katherine, Joe, Janet, LaToya, Jermaine, Jackie, Randy, Grace, Karen, Mesereau & Oxman to watch Janet Arvizo Jackson testify. Mesereau gives a speech to state that Michael regrets the settlements he has done on the past. The Jackson family returns to Neverland where Michael has invited the fans and later they all have dinner at the Epihany Restaurant in Santa Barbara.
September 16 (Day 6) : The pre- trial resumes in Santa Maria.
September 15 : Police search the house of Evvy Tavasci, Michael ‘s assistant since 1991!
September 13 : Debbie gives an interview to Entertainment Tonight. Considering that she has violated her confidentiality agreement, Randy decides to cancel her annual 1$ million payment.
August 23 (Day 5) : Because she has just given birth to a baby boy, Janet Arvizo Jackson can’t go testify so the pre-trial is delayed…
August 20 (Day 4) : Testimonies of Joseph Marcus & Violet Silva about the Neverland search.
August 19 (Day 3) : Testimonies of Jay Jackson & William Dickerman. The defense plays a video tape of the Neverland search.
August 17 (Day 2) : Testimony of Stanley Katz (Gavin’s psychologist).
August 16 (Day 1 of pre-trial) : Even though his presence is not complulsory, Michael goes to the Santa Maria courthouse. Accompanied by Katherine, Joe, Janet, LaToya, Jermaine, Jackie, Randy, Grace, Karen, Mesereau & Oxman to watch district attorney Tom Sneddon testify about the search of Brad Miller. After the court Michael & the family go to Neverland to spend time with Prince, Paris & Blanket.
August 2 : Michael’s lawyers depose a motion against Sneddon for violating the gag order.
July 27 : Mesereau goes to Santa Maria where he obtains the trial to be pushed back to January 31st 2005…
July 9 : During a hearing in Santa Maria , Judge Melville scolds Michael for violating the gag order in a written statement.
June 25 : Mesereau goes to a hearing in Santa Maria .
June 15 : Judge Melville refuses to lower Michael’s bail.
Diane Dimond reveals the details of the Chandler secret financial settlement of 1994…
June : Randy fires Bob Jones, vice president of MJJ Productions since 1987, after discovering that he is writting a tell all book on Michael. He also stops paying Marc Schaffel.
May 28 : Mesereau goes to the Santa Maria courthouse with Brian Oxman & Joe Jackson for an hearing where Judge Melville sets September 13 as date for the trial to begin.
April 30 : Michael arrives on time at the Santa Maria Courthouse with Katherine, Joe, Grace, Randy, Jackie, Mesereau, Oxman & Raymone Bain. He pleads not guilty to 10 counts retained by the Grand Jury. The new charges indicate a new timeline of allegations + a charge of false emprisonment + abduction of a child with the help of 5 undicted co-conspirators (Schaffel, Wienser, Konitzer, Tyson & Amen) Outside of the court house, Mesereau & Michael give a little speech before returning to Neverland.
April 25 : Michael announces that he has changed his legal team. Mesereau officially takes over Geragos & Brafman. He also decides to get rid of the Nation Of Islam and to go back to Neverland.
April 24 : Randy hosts a meeting at Michael’s house in Orlando with his civil lawyer Brian Oxman and top criminal lawyer Thomas Mesereau Jr.
April 21 : Michael who is is a rented mansion in Orlando learns that he has been indicted by the Grand Jury in Santa Barabara. He asks Randy to intervene quickly.
April 11 : Medias report the allegations of Daniel Kapon, a young man who claims to have been abused by Michael when he was a kid. It turns out that the Santa Barbara Police Department did not find him credible and closed this case after investigating it.
April 2 : Geragos & Brafman go to Santa Maria courthouse where they obtain the Arvizo family court documents in the JC Penney case.
Judge Lachs refuses visitation rights to Debbie but he accepts to nullify her 2001 decision to give up her parental tights which sets a new battle between Michael & Debbie’s attorneys.
March 30 : Gavin & Star Arvizo testify before the Grand Jury.
March 29 : Prosecutor Ron Zonen gives his opening statement during the first day of a Grand Jury proceeding where neither Michael nor his lawyers have the rights to appear. Members of the media are also prohibitted from attending.
March 25 : Secret Jury selection is completed in Santa Barbara.
Michael files a lawsuit in US District Court in Los Angeles to regain possessions that were sold to a European buyer by Henry Vaccaro.
March 19 : The Department of Child & Family Services of Los Angeles refuses to remove Michael’s children from his care.
March : Sneddon sets a Grand Jury proceeding to avoid the preliminary hearing.
February 20 : Retired family judge Stephen Lachs accepts to mediate Michael & Debbie litigation over her visitation rights on Prince & Paris.
February 13 : Geragos & Brafman go to Santa Maria Courthouse where they obtain a delay of the prelimiary hearing to have more time to study the prosecution case.
February 7 : Michael hires Raymone Bain as new official Spokesperson.
January 31 : The police searches the houses of Marc Schaffel & his assistant Christian Robinson.
January 24 : Social workers from the Department of Child & Family Services of Los Angeles go to Michael’s rented mansion in Beverly Hills to talk with Prince, Paris, Blanket & Grace.
January 16 : Michael arrives 20 minutes late at the Santa Maria Courthouse where he is formally arraigned. Accompanied by Katherine, Joe, Janet, Jermaine, Tito, Randy, Grace, Karen, Frank Dileo & Leonnard Muhammad. He pleads not guilty to all the charges and judge Rodney Melville imposes a gag order preventing both sides from making public comments about the current case. After going out of the courthouse, Michael gets on the top of his SUV and invites all the fans for an after arraignment party at Neverland!
January 15 : Geragos announces that Michael & him have hired top criminal layer Benjamin Brafman.
Gloria Allred asks the Department of Child & Family Services of Los Angeles to remove Michael’s children from his care.
January 12 : While Jermaine gives a press conference outside Hayvenhurst to organize fans’ support, Mark Geragos hosts a big meeting of Michael’s team at the Beverly Hills Hotel attended by Charles Koppleman, Leonard Muhammad, Al Malnik, John Branca, Alan Whitman, Zia Modabber & Kevin Mac Lin.
Marc Schaffel & Dieter Wiesner have lunch with Debbie Rowe at the Ivvy restaurant to talk about her children.
2003
December 31 : While the media claim that the NOI has taken over Michael’s business, a worried Debbie who can’t get in touch with Michael & her children decides to file for visitation rights.
The Santa Barbara Sherriff Jim Anderson gives a press conference to denies Michael’s claim that he was manshandled by the police during his arrestation.
June 10 : In Indianapolis, Michael gives a deposition following a lawsuit brought by Steeltown Records boss Gordon Keith.
December 30 : Stuart Backerman resigns because of the presence of the Nation Of Islam.
December 18 : Prosecutors formally charge Michael with seven counts of lewd acts on a child under 14 and two counts of administrating an intoxicating agent to a child for the purpose of committing a crime during a timeline going from February 7 to March 20 2003.
Mark Geragos denies all these allegations during a special interview at the Larry King Show featuring also Jermaine who alleges that Michael was mistreated by the police during his arrestation.
Late november : A delegation from the Nation Of Islam (the NOI) led by Louis Farrakhan, his son and son-in-law Leonard Muhammad meet Michael in his Ritz Carlton suite. Soon after the NOI take over Michael’s security. His former bodyguards are fired. NOI cut contacts between Michael and his team (Dieter Wiesner, Ronald Kontizer & Marc Schaffel).
Dieter Wiesner flies back to Germany.
November 24 : Michael & Mark Geragos sue Extra Jet for illegally taping them during their flight from Las Vegas to Santa Barbara.
November 20 : Michael arrives at the Santa Barbara airport in a private Jet with Grace & his attorney Mark Geragos where he is handcuffed and taken to the Santa Barbara County main jail. He is allowed to walk free after posting a $3 million bail, posing for a mugshot and being advised of the charges against him.
Geragos gives a press conference to refute those allegations.
November 19 : While the news of the Neverland search is covered by every media around the world, DA Tom Sneddon & Sherriff Jim Anderson give a press conference to announce that they have a stop warrant against Michael in connection to new allegations of child molestation made by a 12 year old boy. Media learn that the boy accusing Michael is Gavin.
November 18 : The Number Ones CD & DVD are released in the .
Tom Sneddon chooses this specific day to raid Neverland with a search warrant accompanied by 7O members of the Santa Barbara County Sherriff.
Diane Dimond is the first “journalist” to report the news for Court TV (she was informed of this raid by Sneddon).
Other searches are done at Bradley Miller (Mark Geragos’ private investigator) & Hamid Moslehi (Michael’s videographer) ‘ houses.
Michael issues a statement through his spokesman Stuart Backerman.
October 6 : Michael & Dieter have a meeting with representatives of CinéGroupe at Neverland Ranch. They agree to be partners in the project to be named “MJ Studios – The Movie Studio of Tomorrow”.
September 8 : Michael goes to Montreal with Dieter Wiesner.
July 06 : The Arvizo family gives depositions to the Santa Barbara Police Department.
June 13 : After weeks of backgound plotting, Feldman & Katz finally report the allegations of the family to the Santa Barbara County Sherriff. District Attorney Tom Sneddon asks Feldman not to file a civil suit before he has completed a criminal investigation…
June 11 : The lawsuit between Myung-Ho Lee and Michael has been settled out of court.
June 10 : Michael, for his second attempt, gives a court-ordered deposition in Indianapolis for a copyright lawsuit regarding the “Pre-History: The Lost Steeltown Recordings” album; he testifies that he was never involved with the album’s production or release. Michael is subsequently removed from the case.
Michael hires Charles Koppleman as a new business adviser.
May 15 + 29 : Larry Feldman sends Gavin, Star & Davellin to consult Stanley Katz. (the psychologist who “analysed” Jordy Chandler).
May 9 : Michael files a lawsuit in the Los Angeles Superior Court seeking unpaid royalties for his Motown recordings.
April 16 : The Santa Barbara Police Department closes his investigation with no elements against Michael. Dickerman sends the family to consult Larry Feldman (the lawer who negociated the civil settlement between Michael & the Chandlers).
March 26 : William Dickerman sends a letter to Mark Geragos asking for the family belongings to be returned.
March 14 : Michael is ordered to pay $5,3 million to concert promoter Marcel Avram for the cancellation of the Millenium Concerts.
March 12 : Janet Arvizo calls Franck & Vinnie to ask them to take her children to their grandparent’s in El Monte because they are supposedly sick. The Arvizo family officially moves into Jay Jackson’s appartment and cuts every contact with Michael & his team..
March 11 : Vinnie takes Janet Arvizo to the Los Angeles family court where she obtains an increase of her ex husband child support.
March 10 : Vinnies takes Gavin to the hospital for a urine test. On the way back, he drops Janet Arvizo at her boyfriend’s and takes Gavin back to Neverland.
March 1 : The family’s appartment is emptied at the mother’s request and their belongings are put into storage (paid by Michael).
February 25 : Franck & Vinnie take Janet Arvizo to the Laugh Factory where she has a second meeting with Dickerman. After that, they take the family to the Calabasas Inn where they stay for 5 days in order to obtain the Visas and look for a new appartment paid by Michael for the family.
February 21 : Janet Arvizo is back at Neverland and she defends Michael to Fox News’ journalist Rita Cosby who came to the ranch to meet them. Following the advice of her friend Jamie Massada, Janet consults a lawyer named William Dickerman.
February 20 : Three social workers come to Jay Jackson’s to interview Gavin & his family. Once again they defend Michael and say nothing innapropriate ever happended. Chris Tucker’s girlfriend Azja Pryor is there to support the family and after the interview she takes the children to Neverland while Vinnie takes Janet to a federal office in LA in order to obtain birth certificates of the family that they will need to get visas & passeports for a planned trip in Brazil.
February 19 : Hamid Moslehi goes to Neverland to pick up Gavin, Star & Davellin and take them to his house while Vinnie Amen (a friend of Franck) pick up Janet Arvizo & Jay Jackson. In the presence of Wiesner, Brad Miller, Christian Robinson & Jay Jackson, Janet & her children tape a long interview where they defend MIchael. After the taping ends, Vinnie takes Janet back to Jay Jackson’s and the Arvizo kids back to Neverland. The interview is supposed to be included in the TV rebuttal but Moslehi asks $ 400 000 that he is owed for the Bashir outtakes which Schaffel & Wiesner refuse.
February 18 : Santa Barbara Police Department opens an investigation on Michael Jackson based on a letter from Gloria Allred & Carol Lieberman…
February 17 : LA Family Service calls Janet Arvizo to set an interview between her children & social workers on February 20.
February 16 : Bradley Miller (Geragos’ private investigator) comes to Jay Jackson ‘s to record a tape interview of Gavin, Star, Davellin & Janet where they defend Michael. Just after, the Arvizos are taken back to Neverland by Michael’s chauffeur Gary Hearn but once they arrive, Janet asks Michael’s bodygard Chris Carter to take her back to her boyfriend’s appartment leaving her children at the ranch with Michael…
February 15 : Ann Gabriel is fired by Mark Geragos after wanting to appear on US TV show Access Hollywood as Michael’s Spokesperson.
February 14 : The Los Angeles Family Service opens an investigation on Michael Jackson’s relationship with Gavin based on a phone call made from his school…
Janet & her children go to her boyfriend’s appartment, Jay Jackson.
February 13 : Franck Cascio arrives at the ranch and he calls Janet Arvizo on the phone (recording the conversation) to ask her to come back to Neverland in order to avoid the media frenzy.
February 12 : After an argument with Wiesner & Konitzer, Janet Arvizo asks Jesus Salas (a Neverland employee) to take her & the children to her parent’s house in El Monte . He accepts to take the family out of Neverland in the middle of the night…
February 11 : Janet Arvizo gets a body wax in a beauty shop close to Neverland.
February 9 : David LeGrand hires his girlfrend Ann Gabriel as a consultant for Michael’s PR Team.
February 8 : CBS Entertainment (Ed Bradley & Jack Saussman) arrive at Neverland in order to interview Michael for their show 60 Minutes but Michael cancels the interview when he hears about the leak of the Chandler deposition. Bradley does get to meet Gavin & his family (who volunteer to give an interview to defend Michael!) as well as Mark Geragos, Michael’s freshly hired criminal lawyer who came to Neverland to meet Michael and make Gavin’s mother sign a release stating that Michael’s relation with Gavin was never innapropriate.
February 6 : Jordy Chandler’s 1993 deposition is leaked on the Smoking Gun website which create a new controversy.
In Miami , Wiesner & Konitzer ask Janet Arvizo to sign a complaint against Granada Television, the company which produced LWMJ.
LWMJ is aired on American’s network ABC. Michael is devastated.
February 5 : Gavin, his mother Janet, brother Star & sister Davellin go to Miami on a private Jet with Chris Tucker. Once arrived, they check in the Turnberry Isle Resort where Michael & his friends stay.
Marc Schaffel convinces Debbie to come to his house and do an interview for Michael by promising her that she will get to see her children. Debbie gives a long interview to journalist Ian Drew in the presence of her lawyer/friend Iris Finsilver, Marc Shaffel, his assistants Christian Robinson & Rudy Provencio, as well as Michael’s new spokesman Stuart Backerman.
Scheffel also hires David LeGrand, a new layer based in Las Vegas.
February 4 : A huge controversy arises in the UK over Michael’s admission that he loves to share his bed with children & his interview with Gavin Arvizo.
Gavin’s mother, Janet Arvizo agrees to give an interview to the London Daily Mail where she defends MIchael against $4000!
Michael calls gavin and asks him to come to Miami to do a press conference. Following Marc Schaffel’s idea he also calls Debbie to ask her to do an interview for him.
February : In a series of letters drawn by Wiesner & Konitzer, Michael terminates his working relationship with John Branca, Barry Siegel, Trudy Green & Howard Koffman.
January 27 : Michael is staying at the Miami Oriental Hotel with Grace, the kids & Dieter Wiesner. He shows Dieter a letter he just received from his accountant Barry Siegel.
January 11 : Dieter Wiesner & Ronald Konitzer officially take over Michael’s management in a written agreement. They start working on a plan named MJ Universe which Is supposed to relaunch Michael’s carrer.
2002
December 3/4 : Michael goes back to the Santa Maria Courthouse to resume his testimony in the Marcel Avram trial. He arrives on crutches after being severly bitten by a spider at Neverland.
December : Michael invites Dieter Wiesner & Ronald Konotzer at Neverland to work on a 10 year plan named “MJ Universe”.
November 13/14/15 : Michael goes to the Santa Maria Courthouse to testify in the Marcel Avram trial. His appearance causes media frenzy.
April : Michael’s former business manager Myung-Ho Lee files a $13 million lawsuit claiming that on September 14, Michael met him in Los Angeles and signed an agreement to pay him those fees but he never got them. Michael’s lawyer Zia Moddaber answsers that his client never signed anything and was not even in Los Angeles on that date…
2001
October 17 : Debbie Rowe goes to the family court in Los Angeles to give up her parental rights on Prince & Paris because she says she has not seen them for a year and do not want to disturb them by making intrusions in their life once in a while.
2000
September 30 : Michael sells his merchandising rights to Dieter Wiesner who creates MJ NET Entertainment.
June : Marcel Avram sue Michael for breach of contract of the Millenium Concerts and asks for $21 million.
May 30 : Michael becomes a key investor and partner of HollywoodTicket.com Inc.
March 13 : Michael cancells a visit to Poland after talks about a theme park project he was involved in broke down. MJ wanted to build a theme park in the city since his first visit there in 1996, but difficulties in finding an appropriate site held up progress.
1999
October 8 : Debbie officially files for divorce and sign a confidentiality agreement.
1997
February 4 : Michael goes to a courtroom in Rome to testify that he didn’t steal Will You Be There from Italian artist Al Bano.
1996
June 7 : Evan Chandler sues Michael, Lisa Marie, Sony Music, Diane Sayer & ABC Television for breaking the confidential agreement of their 1994 settlement.
March 01 : Michael gives a three hour long videotaped deposition at the Four Seasons Hotel in New York City as part of a lawsuit filed by five Neverland employees against Michael for wrongful dismissal.
1994
September 24 : Tom Sneddon & Gill Garcetti announce that there is not enough evidence to charge Michael with child molestation…
February 15 : Michael wins this new trial!
February 14 : Michael goes to a Denver courtroom to testify that he did not steal the song “Dangerous” from Crystal Cartier as she proclaims.
February 9 : Santa Barbara ‘s District Attorney, Thomas Sneddon Jr & Los Angeles ‘ District Attorney Gill Garcetty both set up a Grand Jury to determine if there is enough evidence to indict Michael and put him through a criminal trial. Miko Brando is among the first to testify.
January 25 : Michael & Chandler’s lawyers reach an agreement to settle the civil case. The Chandlers agree to withdraw their complaint against a confidential financial compensation and the trial is cancelled.
January 24 : Los Angeles prosecutors announce that they do not have enough evidence to charge Evan Chandler with extorsion…
January 12 : Michael wins the trial for “The Girl Is Mine”, “Thriller” & “We Are The World”.
1993
December 28 : Concert promoter Marcel Avram files a $20 million breach of contract against Michael claiming Michael’s true condition was concealed on signing the contracts for the Dangerous Tour.
December 22 : New York Times : “Jackson aides confirmed the resignation of Bertram Fields, one of Hollywood’s top lawyers, and Anthony Pellicano, Mr. Jackson’s private investigator, after Daily Variety reported the departures. The Jackson camp, including the star’s mother, Katherine, had recently criticized Mr. Jackson’s advisers for their handling of the child molestation accusations against the entertainer. Mr. Fields, through an aide, denied that he and Mr. Pellicano had been dismissed. The 35-year-old Mr. Jackson faces criminal investigations in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara Counties into accusations that he sexually molested a 12-year-old boy in 1992. No charges have been filed against Mr. Jackson, who has denied the accusations. The investigations are expected to be concluded early next year. Jackson to Make Statement More pressing, Mr. Jackson faces a civil suit by the boy, who is now 13. The suit, which is expected to come to trial in March in Los Angeles Superior Court, accuses Mr. Jackson of specific sex acts with the boy and seeks unspecified damages”.
December 20 : Attorney Johnnie Cochran joins Michael’s legal team with Howard Weitzman. Cochran replaces Bert Fields.
Los Angeles Police Department and Santa Barbara Department go to Neverland with a search warrant. They take photographs of Michael’s body including his penis.
December 15 : Blanca Francia, Michael’s former personal maid gives a deposition in the civil lawsuit and sell her story to tabloid TV show Hard Copy claiming that her son Jason was a victim of Michael when he was 10.
December 1 : Meeting of Michael’s team at Elizabeth Taylor’s house in Bel Air. Johnnie Cochran is hired.
November 24 : Los Angeles Superior Court judge, David Rothman sets March 21, 1994, as the date for the civil suit against Michael to begin, denying a request from Michael’s attorneys to delay the proceddings until the criminal investigation is completed.
November 16 : Police obtain a strip search warrant for Michael Jackson in order to verify a descrition of his genitals given by Jordy…
November 10 : Second day of Michael’s deposition in Mexico in the copyright infringement lawsuit. The deposition is videtaped and later leaked to the press.
November 8 : While the Jackson family is in Phoenix for Samuel Jackson’s funerals, the police raids Hayvenhurst…
Michael’s attorney Howard Manning flies to Mexico City to take a deposition from Michael for a copyright infringement lawsuit brought by three songwriters claiming “Thriller”, “The Girl Is Mine” & “We Are The World” were stolen from them… The three hour long deposition is video taped and leaked later to the press.
September 21 : Two US detectives fly to Manila to question Mark & Faye Quindoy.
September : Michael asks John Branca and Howard Wetzman to take over Anthony Pellicano as his spokesmen.
August 30 : Police search Michael’s hotel room at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas.
August 24 : Michael’s criminal lawyer, Howard Weitzman reads a statement to the press on behalf of Michael while Anthony Pellicano reveals the accusations are the result of a failed attempt to extort money from Michael.
August 23 : The media reveal that Michael is under criminal investigation for child molestation which becomes of the biggest scandals of all time and will dominate newspapers, magazines, TV shows and tabloids for many months to come…
August 21 : The Los Angeles Police Department serve search warrants on Michael’s Neverland Valley Ranch in Santa Barbara and on his condominium known as the “hide-out” at 1101 Galaxy Way #2247 in Century City. Brett Barnes is at Neverland when the polices arrives for the search.
August 18 : Bert Fields and Anthony Pellicano inform Michael that the Los Angeles Police Department ‘s Sexually Exploited Child Unit has opened a criminal investigation on him. The same day, June & Dave are interviewed the LAPD.
August 17 : The Los Angeles Police Department officially opens a criminal investigation against Michael Jackson based on accusations of child molestation made by Jordy Chandler.
August 16 : On behalf of June Schwartz, attorney Michael Freeman notifies Rothman that he will be filing paper early the next morning that will force Chandler to turn over Jordy.
Reacting quickly Chandler takes Jordy to psychiatrist Mathis Abrams. During a gruelling three-hour session, Jordy tells Abrams that he was sexually molested by Michael.
Abrams, who is required by law to report any such accusations to authorities calls a social worker at the Department of Children’s Services who in turn contact the police. Within hours, Jordie is interviewed by a caseworker with the Los Angeles County Department of Children Services and an officer with the Los Angeles Police Department.
August 13 : During another meeting in Rothman’s office, Pellicano proposes a counter offer : a $ 350 000 screenwriting deal but Chandler rejects it…
Rothman makes a counterdemand: a deal for three screenplays that would amount to about 15 million dollars. Through Pellicano, Michael declines the counter-offer.
August 4 : Evan & Jordy meet Michael & Pellicano in a suite at the Westwood Marquis Hotel (this is the last time Michael & Jordy ever see each other)
Later that evening, Pellicano go to Rothman’s office where he & Chandler make their demand for $20 millions!!!
August 2 : Evan Chandler extracts a tooth from his son Jordie in his Beverly Hills clinic. During the procedure, he decides to intravenously administer the drug sodium Amytal. While under the influence of the drug, Jordie answers questions about Michael.
July 11 : Chandler & Rothman ask June to let Jordy stay with Evan for a “one week visitation period” but Evan does not return Jordy to June after one week as planned…
July 10 : Michael takes takes Jordy, Lily & June Chandler to his friend’s Michael Milken’s beach house in Los Angeles. Later, they are supposed to go to Neverland to celebrate Lily’s birthday but June cancels the trip and decides to ga back to her home in L.A. Michael returns to Neverland alone.
July 9 : Dave & June Schwartz play the tape conversation to Pellicano who then visits Jordy & Lily at Michael’s Century City condominium. Pellicano asks Michael, June and Dave to leave the room to be alone with Jordie. After asking him questions for one hour, the PI is convinced that nothing happened betweet the boy and Michael Jackson.
July 8 : During a phone call to Dave Schwartz (Jordy’s stepfather), Evan threatens to destroys Michael if he doesn’t get what he wants. Michael’s attorney Bert Fields hires private investigator Anthony Pellicano to investigate the Chandlers.
July 7 : Evan Chander files a modification of his custody agrement. The documents petition the courts to forbid Jordie from going anywhere near Michael. Evan requests that Jordie receive psychiatric help to determine the full extent of Michael’s influence on him. He also accuses June of “nurtering” the relationship between Jordie & Michael.
July 2 : Evan Chandler & Dave Schawartz meet at Rent-A-Wreck to discuss what is going on in the family. Evan asks Dave’s help to put an end to the relationship between Jordie ans Michael.
Early July : Evan Chandler hires attorney Barry Rothman and together set a plot to extort money from Michael.
