Global General

Special

Newsmaker

Asia Pacific

America

Middle East

Europe

Africa

ROK newspaper seeks $7.9M from MJ estate

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-08-06 09:27

LOS ANGELES: A newspaper in Republic of Korea is seeking nearly $7.9 million from Michael Jackson's estate for an unpaid judgment entered against his parents and brother, court records show.

The Segye Times filed court records on Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court seeking priority for repayment of a $4 million judgment entered against Katherine and Joe Jackson and their son Jermaine in 1994 for canceled concert dates. The judgment has nearly doubled as interest has accrued.

Full Coverage:  Michael Jackson, King of Pop Related readings:  Agreement proposed for Jackson-branded goodies  Michael Jackson 'killed by aide'  Michael Jackson's mom gets custody  Jackson's personal doctor was in financial trouble  Chef thought Jackson was 'sleeping late'

The paper sued the Jacksons in 1990 in Contra Costa, claiming the family members were paid $5.5 million for a series of concerts. The concerts never happened and the paper sued, including Michael Jackson as a defendant, documents state.

The pop superstar settled the claims against him in an out-of-court deal in 1992. It was unclear whether his estate is liable for the remaining judgment.

The records filed in Los Angeles show a judge held a trial in February 1992. None of the remaining Jacksons listed in the lawsuit showed up for the trial, and a judgment against Katherine, Joe and Jermaine Jackson was entered.

The Jackson family later asked for a new trial, but the bid was rejected.

Katherine Jackson is the only person listed in the filing who is a beneficiary of her son's estate. The 79-year-old and her son's three children are the only individuals slated to receive any of Jackson's estate, which is being placed into a private trust.

"I have no knowledge or comment on this matter," Katherine Jackson's attorney, L. Londell McMillan, wrote in an e-mail.

The judgment is one of several listed in a 1999 bankruptcy petition filed by Katherine and Joe Jackson in Los Angeles. At the time, the couple listed $24 million in debts that included court judgments, auto loans and credit cards.