Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael"/ Excerpt @pg151/New Interview Post 3743

[soulmum]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

Still waiting for my copy but looking forward to making my own mind up about it.

 

[MsCassieMollie]

Excerpt from Frank Cascio's book

At the time, Saudi Arabian billionaire Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal was his business partner in a newly formed company called Kingdom Entertainment.

According to Michael, the prince and his colleagues liked to do business with family men, so he wanted Michael to be married – especially after the Jordy Chandler allegations the previous year. The prince was investing a lot of money, so Michael had married Lisa Marie. Or so Michael’s story went.

Michael with Lisa Marie and the Saudi Prince's family on the yacht !!

( The guy in black who's standing next to Lisa is the Prince's son "Khalid" , not her ex Danny )

 

[chanel05]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

Still waiting for my copy but looking forward to making my own mind up about it.

i agree.. Im doing the same thing and I think thats what matters the most.

 

[Ashtanga]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

 

[KOPV]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

I appreciate those who will make up there own mind from reading the book for themselves.. The thread for the most part picks on it making it out to be much worse than it is.. The book has much much more positivity than this thread..

 

[8701girl]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

What i dont like bout frank writing bout that is its making michael look bad in a way imo

 

[KOPV]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

^^ In my opinion he makes Michael look much better than the public view of Michael..

Sometimes showing someone behind the scene shows the true essence of a person that can be more appreciated than a factitious image we try to showcase that people will tend to denounce because it's not believable THEN answer there own questions with negitive perseptions giving a BAD view.. But if you tell it the way you really see it, then it answers the question and not give people any reason to wonder and fill in the gaps with there own perspectives.. which the general public 9/10 times will pick negitive

 

[Ingelief]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

Wow im shoched to read about michael not able to walk because he took medicine and alcohol on train trip in 01... Also i thought he only used propofol before during touring but now during invincible he used it as well

Also he used the word ****, never knew that. Like **** it lets have fun, or **** it your fired frank tells in the book.

Nice to read about the time where frank worked for michael they seemed soo close. He was there every day working calling etc with michael. I dont know how it goes further im not finished with the book but it seems in that time period Frank knew michael the best and was the closest to him from everyone. Also nice that michael had girlfriends and even fans he kissen LOl wish it would be me

 

[Ingelief]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

I appreciate those who will make up there own mind from reading the book for themselves.. The thread for the most part picks on it making it out to be much worse than it is.. The book has much much more positivity than this thread..

SO agree :") Its a nice book so far I LOVE IT

 

[Ingelief]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

off topic i wanted to thank kopv for his post above but i cant find the thank botton? Sometimes its there sometimes its not? im confused?

edit: now i can thank kopv.. How does that thank botton work? Its not always there is it?

 

[love is magical]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

What i dont like bout frank writing bout that is its making michael look bad in a way imo

If you read the book from cover to cover, you'll see Frank did not ever make Michael look bad in his book.

 

[suzynyc]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

Wow, one of the saddest parts in this book for me (so far) isn't even for Michael. It's when Michael doesn't allow Frank to join his family when they all gathered in Michael's room because he was working. That must have been so hard for Frank, I felt so bad for him. Well, he eventually began to understand Michael's reasoning which was keeping personal separate from professional. But still...Michael, it was Frank's own family lol.

Then there is the part where Frank refuses to take money from a business man on the side in exchange to have a deal with Michael. He refuses the money and then later tells Michael, to which Michael says, "If it was anybody else, they would have taken the money. You see what I deal with? This has been happening forever. Everyone takes kickbacks. I appreciate your honesty."

Sorry if this has been discussed in this thread before.

 

[Ingelief]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

Ok very UPSET Its 7 am didnt get any sleep because i finished the book! The last bit i was crying..

I need to ask some importend questions to those who read it! Please help me understand this:

1. Frank get a letter that stated not to contact michael *chapter interlude* from brian wolf, to frank and on it were copied Michael John Mclain trudy green John branca Barry siegel.. I never get this??? I thought john branca was estate and one of the good guys??

2. Also in 2007 michael and franks talk there issue out and became friends again, but he says michael there the last time, why didnt he see michael during his last 2 years?? I know the spoke regulary on the phone and frank was going to london to help on this is it

3. Also in the last year the contact with michaels kids is good, and they want to see cascio *want to ride with them in de elevator having christmas there huging them calling* Also they knew about the recording michael was doing with Eddie. So why did it end?? Why is there no contact?
I hate that because i feel the cascios are truly good people who stood by michael even with frank also being charged in 05 and could go to prisson, he stood by michael!
So for me it seems to be very importent to keep the children in contact with the cascios the only ones i really trust beside katherine.. I dont trust la toya and jermaine around those kids...

The book is amazing read it give a clear view of what he had to endure in michaels world and how difficiult it was for michael * ifeel so sorry for him!*

4. What i dont get is he was of the meds because of that good doc.. why didnt he asked that doc to help him during this is it? The one that weaned him off drugs??? Maybe michael would still be a life if it was for that doc

Also Randy seems to be to good guy in this book i believe that! ALSO FRANK said Michael never wanted any thing to do with la toya, also jermain he saw as a headache and problem. He forgave them but didnt want to be arround them.
Nice to hear frank clear that up

5. Also franks speak higly of shaffel and he kissed and huged also karen faye.. He says something about the brothers doing a soap joe promoting stuff.. So he adressed this.
What was the story that fans were pissed at shaffel? What did he do??

I cant see why people are against the cascios against the music against this book! I truly cant. Reading it i only felt 1 thing and that was joy and a calmness knowing michael had them in his live so he wasnt alone. It makes me calm to know that. THis book gave me a more clear few of michael as joker and teacher/ im glad the focus points where there. We all know michael the entertainer this was a other for me better perspective.,

I hope some of you can truly help me with above questions, im really stuck with it. Also i really need to sleep its now 7.30 am. Thats proves how good the book was to me. The end part is sad, and felt like 09 again but its what it is....... I love you Michael

 

[missred07]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

?think lots of the questions can only be answered by MJ. I just shared my point of view

1. Frank get a letter that stated not to contact michael *chapter interlude* from brian wolf, to frank and on it were copied Michael John Mclain trudy green John branca Barry siegel.. I never get this??? I thought john branca was estate and one of the good guys??

I think Frank had more problem to McClain not to Branca. Branca is one of the main representative, he might just signed the letter but not participate in any firing act. I don't think he cared a personal assistant. In my point of view I actually doubt MJ didn't know the letter exists. Frank said he also had the doubt but he believed in MJ. However, it's big chance that MJ really wanted to fire him.

2. Also in 2007 michael and franks talk there issue out and became friends again, but he says michael there the last time, why didnt he see michael during his last 2 years?? I know the spoke regulary on the phone and frank was going to london to help on this is it

Maybe MJ is super busy?

3. Also in the last year the contact with michaels kids is good, and they want to see cascio *want to ride with them in de elevator having christmas there huging them calling* Also they knew about the recording michael was doing with Eddie. So why did it end?? Why is there no contact?

I think it's obvious because of those tracks. 3T even said Eddie betrayed MJ after Frank on twitter.

4. What i dont get is he was of the meds because of that good doc.. why didnt he asked that doc to help him during this is it? The one that weaned him off drugs??? Maybe michael would still be a life if it was for that doc

Only MJ can answer this question. Maybe he desperate to fall into sleep and he doesn't have time to go through other slow medication? who knows

5. What was the story that fans were pissed at shaffel? What did he do??

Shaffel sued MJ couple years ago. I think Debbie Rowe testified in 05 that she think Shaffel lied to MJ and try to use MJ to gain lots of money etc. I think someone would give you more details.

I think part of the reason Frank spoke highly about Shaffel is because he helped Frank's career before. He might still have some business with Frank. Just like he didn't call out Rabbi Shmuley because they might be friend.

I think Frank did the similar thing in his book like Jermaine's book that he can't really call out any people. I think it's quite understandable. On the other hand, there's not only good or bad people in real world. It's not like movie that you would be easy to put people in these 2 categories. Most of the time people are in the grey area.

 

[maral]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

didn't shaffel claimed at some point he had tapes that could "expose" Michael?

 

[bluetopez]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

My god Shaffel did an interview about MJ on Access Holywood during their fall out a few yrs ago and he said the worse things possible about MJ. So I really hope that Frank isn't still friends with this guy? It's already disapointing as hell he is friends with people like Friedman and Shumley! YIKES!

 

[Ingelief]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

Aha ok thx missred.
but im still confused that there must been prove of the cascios songs like a recording of michael speaking to eddie about it or a a video. and why do they dont release that so that there a cleared...

i think the book is very good and it seems like the cascios and frank were reallu close to michael which is nice

 

[HIStory]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

5. Also franks speak higly of shaffel and he kissed and huged also karen faye.. He says something about the brothers doing a soap joe promoting stuff.. So he adressed this.
What was the story that fans were pissed at shaffel? What did he do??

Schaffel filed a civil lawsuit against Michael in 2004 claiming Michael didn't pay his wages and owed him money. Michael counter-sued him for Schaffel taking money from him that he wasn't supposed to take. During that civil trial Schaffel tried to pressure Michael into a settlement by spreading all kind of innuendos about him in the media. For example, he claimed that Michael owed him $300 000 for paying off a family in South America who alleged Michael sexually molested their son. Schaffel knew well that these are the kind of rumors that if he throws in just one year after the trial everybody will believe and the media will have a field day with them. That's exactly why he did it. He tried to pressure Michael into a settlement. I personally think at the time Friedman was Schaffel's Nr 1 helper in the media. Many of these innuendos pressuring Michael were first published in Friedman's articles and interestingly he finished off all of his articles by saying Michael would be better advised to settle with Schaffel before more stories like these come out. It clearly looked like a blackmail. And it was. During the civil trial financial forensic experts testified that there is absolutely no evidence of this $300 000 payment ever transferred to anyone. And Schaffel didn't even claim it until 2006. And of course, had such a family existed, Sneddon would have found them. So it was a clear attempt to blackmail MJ into a settlement by spreading stories like this.
It also came out that Schaffel basically stole money from MJ's bank accounts.

He also published an audio tape on which Michael was heard saying begging him for cash and another with an anti-semitic remark. Whether that tape was authentic or manipulated I don't know but I wouldn't put it past Schaffel that he manipulated the tape. Again, the fact he published this tape was an attempt to blackmail MJ into a settlement.

After Michael's death Schaffel was full of praises of MJ and he did that documentary "Commemorated" which was actually one of the best documentaries since MJ's death. After Michael's death he was also seen in Forest Lawn with Debbie Rowe. But that won't make me forget what this man did while Michael was alive. He was among the endless number of backstabbers and vultures.

So Frank being friends with him (and Debbie also) is a bit disappointing. But it's hardly surprising. Frank, Schaffel and sometimes Debbie seem to be those "insiders" who served as sources for many of Friedman's articles over the years. Sometimes for Michael's benefit, sometimes for their own benefit and against Michael (like during the Schaffel-MJ civil trial). This seems to be one clique of "friends".

Edit: BTW, the whole dynamic of this group is very strange. At the trial in 2005 Debbie trashed Schaffel as the vulture he is, but after Michael's death they hang out together again.

 

[maral]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

^^thank you for that info. i had heard the guy had claimed something but wasn't sure what actually went on. now i wonder how Frank can be friends with someone who claimed MJ molested kids and yet firmly claim it's absolutely not true.

 

[HIStory]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

^^thank you for that info. i had heard the guy had claimed something but wasn't sure what actually went on. now i wonder how Frank can be friends with someone who claimed MJ molested kids and yet firmly claim it's absolutely not true.

Well, strictly speaking Schaffel did not claim Michael molested kids. He was "just" planting innuendo.

 

[maral]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

Well, strictly speaking Schaffel did not claim Michael molested kids. He was "just" planting innuendo.

sorry my english is failing me. can you elaborate?

 

[HIStory]

sorry my english is failing me. can you elaborate?

What I said above. He claimed Michael sent him "on a mission" with $300 000 to pay off a family in South America who alleged he molested their son. He never claimed this until 2006 and like I said, the forensic experts at the civil trial who examined Schaffel's bank accounts said this alleged payment never happened.

Here is an article about the forensic expert's testimony:

Accountant Disputes Claims Against Jackson
13th July 2006

By Linda Deutsch

A forensic accountant hired by Michael Jackson’s lawyer testified Wednesday that a former associate who is now suing the singer used money from a Japanese record production company for the down payment on his own $1.9 million home rather than for the business expenses he claimed.

Jan Goren, who showed jurors how he traced millions of dollars through the various bank accounts of F. Marc Schaffel, also said he found no substantiation for a $300,000 payment Schaffel claimed he provided to a mysterious “Mr. X” in South America on Jackson’s behalf.

The testimony was presented as the trial neared the closing arguments phase. Schaffel’s lawsuit claims Jackson owes him $1.6 million for various endeavors he worked on for the pop star.

Jackson’s side has sought to show Schaffel enriched himself at the singer’s expense, outweighing any sums that might actually be owed.

Goren challenged Schaffel’s claim that he received $400,000 from a Japanese company called Music Fighters which was seeking to buy rights to Jackson’s “What More Can I Give,” an ill-fated charity recording intended to raise money for victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Schaffel had testified that he split the amount with Jackson, each taking $200,000, but maintained that he used his half to pay business expenses.

Goren said according to his financial detective work that was not true.

He said the $400,000 was wired by Music Fighters on Feb. 27, 2002, to Neverland Valley Entertainment, a company Schaffel started with Jackson, and the next day it was transferred into Schaffel’s personal account.

The accountant noted that in a deposition Schaffel said Jackson was given $200,000 in cash and the rest was kept in the Neverland Valley account to pay bills.

“That did not happen,” said the witness.

“Is there any support that 200,000 (dollars) went out to Mr. Jackson?” asked Thomas Mundell, Jackson’s attorney.

“Nothing,” said the witness.

Goren then used an easel and marker to trace Schaffel’s home purchase, showing the down payment, escrow fees, mortgages and the full price of the home at $1.9 million. He said the source of the down payment was the personal money market account, “and 400,000 that went into that account was Music Fighters money.”

On the purported delivering of $300,000 to “Mr. X” in South America, Goren testified that Schaffel never claimed the amount until this year and “there is no check, no moneys leaving a bank … no bank statements, no ledgers.”

“I have nothing that corroborates it from a documentary point of view,” he said.

He noted that the entry was coded “EFT,” which refers to an electronic fund transfer to another account. But he said the amount was never transferred to or from any account.

“My conclusion on this is it is not a valid claim,” Goren said.

On cross-examination, Schaffel’s attorney, Howard King, challenged some of the accountant’s opinions and asked if he considered testimony by other witnesses who said they knew about some of the disputed transactions.

Goren said he read depositions by Jackson’s business manager, Allan Whitman, but had not questioned him about any of the records.

“You didn’t ask Mr. Whitman to see any of Michael Jackson’s records or Michael Jackson’s tax returns?” asked King.

“I did not,” said Goren.

“Would you have liked to have seen them?” King asked.

“I would like to see Mr. Schaffel’s tax returns,” Goren said.

In spite of King’s claim that he was wrong on some figures, Goren consistently asserted that there were no documents to support some of Schaffel’s claimed expenses.

“Even when there are documents that slightly support it,” he said of one charge, “it fails and it fails miserably.”

Asked why Whitman and others in Jackson’s financial inner circle would have approved some large payments to Schaffel, Goren said, “I think they trusted Mr. Schaffel.”

On the issue of the $300,000, King asked if Goren had seen a receipt from a Hungarian bank.

“No, you can show me,” said Goren.

But it wasn’t until redirect examination by Mundell that the receipt was displayed in court. It showed a withdrawal of $258,000 from a Hungarian bank three years before Schaffel claims he was dispatched to South America on a mission for Jackson.

“Of course this does not influence my opinion,” Goren said. “This transaction took place three years before. So what? How does it end up in South America? I don’t see the connection at all.”

King asked Goren if he ever asked Mundell why no one had asked for the name of the recipient of the purported $300,000 payment. Goren said he had not.

Source: Associated Press

 

[maral]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

i see. so he did actually say it. that's why i can't see how Frank can defend him

 

[HIStory]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

If anyone is more curious about Schaffel and what he did to Michael here is an older thread about it: http://www.mjjcommunity.com/forum/t...Marc-Schaffel-NEEDING-INFO?highlight=Schaffel


Make sure to check out Soundmind's posts in it!

 

[Ingelief]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

Ok but in 2006 frank wasnt even speaking with michael, it can so be truth he doesnt even know this???? I believe in franks honesty and respect for michael truly i do.
@Respect did you read this book???

I also know that some people who sui michael were still friends or not hated by michael after words. So it could be they made up.. Also i dont think debbies knows what was going on in michaels life, why would she. michael was always very private and closed about his buisness

So personally even with that story i cant see how its frank faults to be friends or maybe even only not even friends but just know each other and sometimes work with each other is harmfull.

 

[HIStory]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

@Respect did you read this book???

I didn't read the book and I don't intend to. The summaries are enough for me.

I also know that some people who sui michael were still friends or not hated by michael after words. So it could be they made up..

Who? Schaffel and Michael? After Schaffel was trying to blackmail him by making innuendo about him in the media I doubt Michael would ever want to see him again, let alone make up with him.
There are things those are simply unforgivable. Accusing someone of child molestation (even if "just" in the form of innuendo) is unforgivable in my opinion.

Also i dont think debbies knows what was going on in michaels life, why would she. michael was always very private and closed about his buisness

I doubt Debbie doesn't know these issues with Schaffel. In fact, at the trial in 2005 in her testimony she said Schaffel was a vulture who was trying to exploit money from Michael. I don't know why she's friends with him again now.

So personally even with that story i cant see how its frank faults to be friends or maybe even only not even friends but just know each other and sometimes work with each other is harmfull.

Same with Frank. I doubt he doesn't know this about Schaffel. After all he's friends with Friedman, I'm sure he reads his articles. Why on Earth he and Debbie decided to turn a blind eye on Schaffel's past I don't know, but it doesn't reflect too well on them as Michael's "friends".

Of course, I make a distinction between Frank and Schaffel. Frank is Frank and Schaffel is Schaffel. Frank always defended Michael against the allegations. But it seems a bit opportunistic from him (and from Debbie as well) if he's still friends with Schaffel. But I don't put them on the same category. It's just unfortunate. Who knows, maybe this is one of the reasons why Michael didn't want to see Frank after 2005.

 

[bluetopez]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

Given the fact that many fans knew alot about what went down between Shaffel and Mike it's hard to believe Debbie and Frank not knowing all of this aswell. To me that's a loud of crap. It's something I can't turn a blind eye to just because of some nice stories here and there and others doing 180's trying to play nice after MJ died.

 

[ivy]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

So I really hope that Frank isn't still friends with this guy?

So Frank being friends with him (and Debbie also) is a bit disappointing.

I have to ask, how did you come to the conclusion that Frank is friends with Debbie and Shaffel?

 

[missred07]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

Thanks to respect77 for the summary of Shaffel. I knew he did many nasty things but can't put in order.
Yes, I have to admit that it's hard for me to believe either Frank nor Debbie knew Shaffel's character since it's all over the news.
Debbie even testified during 05 claiming Shaffel is a vulture and steal lots of money from MJ etc.
I never understand why she be friend with him after MJ's death after she testified him badly in court.
As for Frank, I think he felt Shaffel helped his career at the beginning so he turned blind eyes.
Just like he turned blind for Rabbi Shmuley.

 

[bluetopez]

Re: Frank Cascio "My Friend Michael" book release date Nov 15 ,2011 / Excerpt posted at @pg151

Re-read I said "I really hope he isn't still friends with shaffel" and I never said he was friends with Debbie.