Former Michael Jackson attorneys reach $2.5 million settlement in jet videotaping case

[bluesky]

By Associated Press, Updated: Monday, March 19,1:09 PM


<article style="font-family: arial; ">LOS ANGELES — Celebrity attorney Mark Geragos and his law partner have settled a lawsuit for $2.5 million against the owner of a defunct charter jet company that secretly recorded the men and Michael Jackson as they flew from Las Vegas to Santa Barbara for the pop star to turn himself in on child molestation charges.

The amount awarded to Geragos and partner Pat Harris will be difficult to collect because defendant Jeffrey Borer is insolvent, his attorney Lloyd Hirschbaum said. The agreement was reached Friday, the last court day before a re-trial in the case was scheduled to begin to determine how much Geragos and Harris were owed.
</article>

Borer attempted to sell the video, which contains no audio, of the flight to media outlets after Jackson’s surrender. Geragos, Harris and their attorney Brian Kabateck have argued that the lawyers had an expectation of privacy on the private jet that flew them and Jackson from Las Vegas to Santa Barbara in November 2003. The video, which has never been released, also violated the attorney-client privilege, the said.
<article>An appeals court in 2010 threw out a judge’s $20 million award to the attorneys and instead offered them $750,000.
Geragos’ attorney Brian Kabateck said he was pleased with the settlement sum and would work vigorously to collect it. He said the amount will send a strong message.
Borer and an associate pleaded guilty to conspiracy two years ago for videotaping Jackson and his lawyers as they flew to the pop star’s surrender on molestation charges. A jury later acquitted Jackson of 14 charges in the case.

Hirschbaum argued Monday that Geragos didn’t have any provable damages, but the settlement avoided a three to four day retrial.
Geragos, Harris and Jackson filed the invasion-of-privacy suit against Borer and XtraJet in November 2003. Jackson dropped out as a plaintiff in April 2005.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/former-michael-jackson-attorneys-reach-25-million-settlement-in-jet-videotaping-case/2012/03/19/gIQAiJQXNS_story.html


Note: I think there is a thread regarding this case , but i cannot find it.
Mod can merge or move it somewhere else.


</article>

​

 

[Bonnie Blue]

^ Thanks for posting - this case has taken nearly 10 yrs! No wonder mj dropped out - the legal fees would never cover whatever settlement (if any) he could hope to collect.

Interesting to remember that jeffry borer was introduced to mj by marc schaffel. No wonder mj was said to be paranoid - everywhere he was being secretly taped - telephone conversations, plane rides, by his own doctor at his bedside. Actually that's not paranoia, mj's fear was totally rational and well-founded.

 

[Petrarose]

Bonnie ture^^. If I was in his position, I would be afraid to use the toilet at the hotels. No wonder he craved privacy so much!!!! 20 mil to 2 mil is not much, but I am happy that the company is insolvent and I hope this sends a stiff message to those who like to sell information to tabloids!!!

 

[dewey]

Just so I understand, did Mr. Borer actually sell what he had or only attempt to? And...will the lawyers be able to get the money from him since his company is insolvent now? What happens if they don't get the $2.5M? What happens if they do?

I know next to nothing regarding legal matters. :blush:

 

[Bonnie Blue]

^ Borer attempted to sell the tape to media outlets but that alerted mj and his lawyers what was happening so they were able to stop it as it breached their privacy. I can't imagine how this man will come up with $2.5 m if his company is insolvent, i suppose it will be up to the court to decide how much if any borer will have to pay once they look at his finances. The legal fees alone must be massive - hope this man has to pay for the rest of his life, it was such a horrible thing to do.

 

[soulmum]

I guess it means that this guy will not be able to pay off this debt. If he makes money in the future then I imagine he has to declare it and start making amends financially.