Pop icon Michael Jackson is countersuing a former associate, accusing him of concealing and misappropriating funds. This is the latest move in a flurry of legal activity from the singer.
A lawyer representing the superstar, Brent Ayscough, confirmed that Jackson filed the countersuit on Oct. 18.
In court papers, Jackson claims that producer Marc Schaffel “concealed funds, commingled funds, misappropriated funds, charged expenses for matters un-related to the agreement, provided false books of account and ... wrongfully profited..."
Marc Schaffel originally filed suit in November 2004, saying Jackson owed him over $3 million. He claims the singer owes him $2.3 million for payments and loans and a further $800,000 for producing two television specials that aired on the Fox network.
Jackson claims that Schaffel failed to pay costs related to the production of the charity single, ‘What More Can I Give?’
It is also alleged that Schaffel continued to represent himself as Jackson’s associate, even after their business dealings had ended, and that Schaffel profited from this false association.
The singer also claims that Schaffel kept a number of his sculptures and paintings, valued at $250,000.
Ayscough said Schaffel had already failed in two attempts to have a lien placed on the singer’s Neverland Ranch in Santa Barbara.
This case is the latest in a string of legal actions launched by the singer. Jackson recently initiated legal action against concert promoter Marcel Avram, who is suing for lost revenue from two millennium concerts.
He also settled a lawsuit filed by an antiques dealer who alleged he had not fully paid for $380,000 worth of goods.
An attorney for Schaffel, Howard King, dismissed the accusations as "another ridiculous claim."
Source: AP/Daily Telegraph/MJJForum/eMJey