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Michael Jackson's Doc -- Ex-Employee Dies

TMZ has learned Dr. Arnold Klein, who treated Michael Jackson for decades, had an office employee who just died ... an employee who had a history of drug abuse, even while working for Dr. Klein.

Bruce Ayers, who worked for three years as Dr. Klein's research assistant and confidant, was found dead on a sidewalk on December 18 in Los Angeles.

Dr. Klein tells TMZ he fired the 44-year-old Ayers in February, after learning Ayers was allegedly stealing drugs and money from Klein's office.

We're told Dr. Klein stored certain drugs at a pharmacy he used to fill prescriptions for patients. When the drugs would expire, there was a protocol for destroying them. But Klein says Ayers would go to the pharmacy and get expired Demerol for his own use -- and the pharmacy gave it to him. Klein says the pharmacy violated protocol.

We're told Dr. Klein knew Ayers was a drug addict when he hired him but at the time Ayers was on the wagon. Klein says it became painfully obvious at the beginning of 2009 that Ayers' drug problem had resurfaced. Several members of Klein's staff told the Dr. they would quit unless he fired Ayers.

And, we're told, after Ayers was fired, Klein's staff realized 100 Percocet pills were missing.

We've learned Ayers, who met Michael Jackson many times while working for Klein, had a history of abusing pain meds.

When Ayers' body was discovered, authorities found hospital records showing that he had been admitted to three different hospitals since August, in each case for pain issues -- and in each case he was discharged with various meds.

The L.A. County Coroner has deferred Ayers' cause of death, pending toxicology tests.

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TMZ Michael Jackson's Dad Wants Medical Records

"Posted Dec 31st 2009 2:09PM by TMZ Staff

Michael Jackson's father, Joe Jackson, has subpoenaed medical and other records from the UCLA Medical Center because he believes the records could reveal evidence of foul play in Jackson's death -- and the subpoena has outraged MJ estate lawyers ... TMZ has learned.



Joe's lawyer, Brian Oxman, sent 2 subpoenas to the UCLA Medical Center -- the hospital where Michael Jackson was pronounced dead on June 25. Oxman is asking for a number of documents, including medical records, autopsy reports, autopsy photos, medications and prognosis assessments.

Joe Jackson tells TMZ his entire family is behind the subpoenas -- Katherine, the brothers and sisters, along with him. He says they all believe the medical records will show what was in Jackson's body when he passed and they believe the information will expose foul play.

We've obtained a letter sent to Oxman by estate lawyer Howard Weitzman, in which Weitzman calls the subpoenas "clearly improper." Weitzman claims the subpoenas violate Jackson's right of privacy and the physician/patient privilege. Weitzman also says the subpoenas are irrelevant to Joe Jackson's only legal claim -- a financial allowance."

http://www.tmz.com/
 
Dr. Conrad Murray -- Too Early to Deal

Posted Jan 11th 2010 1:00AM by TMZ Staff
Dr. Conrad Murray -- who is in the cross hairs of the Michael Jackson homicide investigation -- is in no position to even discuss plea bargaining a criminal case ... this according to his lawyer.

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Attorney Michael Flanagan tells TMZ he has already been in touch with Pat Dixon, the Head Deputy District Attorney in the L.A. County D.A.'s office, and Dixon is not sharing any info about the case against Dr. Murray. According to Flanagan, Dixon said he can't share information in a case that could go to the L.A. County Grand Jury.

A spokesperson for the D.A.'s office tells TMZ Flanagan did speak with Dixon on Friday, but all Dixon said was he could not discuss the case. The spokesperson says Dixon never mentioned a possible grand jury.

As we first reported, there is a "strong likelihood" the D.A. go after Dr. Murray for involuntary manslaughter, but it's not a done deal.

Law enforcement sources say they don't know if the big wigs in the D.A.'s office will sign off on involuntary manslaughter. The LAPD will be formally presenting the case to the D.A. soon, and the presentation, we're told, will be critical in the decision-making process.

Flanagan tells TMZ as far as he knows Dr. Murray has not violated any law in connection with Michael Jackson's medical care the day he died. Flanagan believes it will be "very difficult" for the D.A. to base a case on gross negligence -- a requirement in proving involuntary manslaughter. As Flanagan puts it, even if there's proof of "an error in judgment," it's a giant leap for a jury to conclude the lapse of judgment constitutes manslaughter.

But, law enforcement sources say the LAPD has experts who have gone on record saying Dr. Murray's conduct constitutes gross negligence that supports a manslaughter prosecution.
 
MJ Attorney -- Now Ya See $20 Mil, Now Ya Don't

Posted Jan 11th 2010 5:50PM by TMZ Staff
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In a stunning reversal of fortune, a California appeals court has overturned a massive judgment against the jet company that secretly videotaped Michael Jackson and his lawyer, Mark Geragos, as they were flying to Santa Barbara in 2003 when Jackson turned himself in to cops.

Geragos had sued the now-defunct XtraJet and the owner of the company, and the famed lawyer won a whopping $20 million judgment.

But the appeals court ruled the judgment was excessive and is now giving Geragos two choices -- either take $750,000 or retry the case.

We're told Geragos is leaning "heavily" toward retrying the case.

The former owner of XtraJet, Jeff Borer, tells TMZ, "Hopefully the courts will come to their senses and see there is no real harm done. Shame on Mark Geragos for trying to take advantage of a nothing situation."

P.S. Borer pled guilty to conspiracy in connection with the taping. Not so "nothing."
 

Accusations Fly in Sudden Deaths of MJ Giraffes

Posted Jan 13th 2010 7:30AM by TMZ Staff
The owners of two celebrity giraffes -- which once belonged to Michael Jackson and roamed freely in Neverland -- are crying "foul play" after the animals mysteriously died.



PETA sounded alarms this morning when news broke of the giraffes deaths, pointing fingers at the Banjoko Wildlife Preserve in Page, Arizona -- where the giraffes had been living since 2006 -- claiming the preserve was responsible for the deaths due to "improper feeding and/or exposure to cold temperatures."

TMZ spoke with the Banjoko Preserve founder, Freddie Hancock, and she tells us -- "We suspect foul play with the giraffes. There is no other explanation for their deaths. There is currently a police investigation going on. Someone has hurt these giraffes, they were healthy."

A necropsy is currently underway to establish an official cause of death -- but Hancock insists the animals were well taken care of: "There is no sign of infection, abuse, or neglect."

The giraffes -- named JJ and Rambo -- had been at the center of a vicious legal battle between Banjoko and the local city council over a $100,000 bond to cover the animals in case of emergency.

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PETA is claiming that the Preserve is responsible for their deaths (due to neglect) but today at TMZ live said that it was not true. ( the animals were healty and looked after and even there was neglect it is impossible that two giraffes would die at the same time). Apparently the city did not allow the preserve to build a wall around the giraffes and everyone could access them. Also the city did not want the animals there.
Overall they think that they were poisoned /killed. TMZ live also stated that FBI has become a part of the investigation as well.
 
Michael Jackson's Insane Interior Design

Posted Jan 14th 2010 1:30AM by TMZ Staff
Michael Jackson spent more than $700,000 on all sorts of flamboyantly bizarre furniture before he died -- but now, it could be yours ... if the price is right.


TMZ has learned MJ ordered the incredibly unique items for a London mansion he was supposed to live in during the run of his "This Is It" tour ... but he died before the Italian furniture maker -- Colombostile -- could deliver the goods.

Colombostile tells us they gave the $700,000 back to Katherine Jackson and plans to auction the items off in the near future.

Among the items -- lavish sofas, a crystal-encrusted chair, a desk with a secret compartment and much more -- check out the gallery for more details. We're told ***** bought one of the chairs specifically for his friend Elizabeth Taylor to sit in when she came to visit.

There's also a seashell-studded chair that was intended for MJ's "Little Mermaid" room -- we're guessing it was for his daughter Paris, but then again, ya never know...
 

Crazy Creditor's Claim Against Jackson Estate


Posted Jan 14th 2010 5:27PM by TMZ Staff
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A woman who claims to have spent 2,000 hours analyzing the extended family of Michael Jackson -- including children, birth mother(s), sperm donor claims ... and on and on ... wants more than $2 million from Michael Jackson's estate.

Claire McMillan says she's a "homeschool expert" who did "a thorough analysis" of Jackson's complete extended family, to determine ... well, it's not clear why she was doing it.

Whatever ... she concluded that Katherine Jackson is doing "a poor job outside of the home, related to - grooming, age, and psyc appropriate activities, same-sex, academic & soc interactions w/ non-extended family children .... " oh, what's the use? It makes no sense.

McMillan says she also inquired as to whether Dr. Arnold Klein would be interested in obtaining guardianship of the children with McMillan and her husband.

Anyway, McMillan says her time is worth $1,000 an hour, and she wants $2,002,000 for her efforts.

Howard Weitzman
, lawyer for the Michael Jackson estate, tells TMZ "To the best of our knowledge, Ms. McMillan never did anything for the estate and the estate owes her nothing."

Translation -- she's crazy.

See Also


 
Michael Jackson's Kids - Best Allowance Ever!

Posted Jan 15th 2010 8:36AM by TMZ Staff
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Michael Jackson's kids just got their allowance upped -- from $60,000!

TMZ obtained court documents showing that Wednesday, the judge in the Michael Jackson estate case increased the monthly allowance, which totals $60,000 for Prince, Paris,and Blanket.

Sources tell TMZ the reason for the change -- the accounts guardian and lawyers underestimated the monthly expenses.

We don't know how much they're getting now, but it's a good bet Prince won't be slinging newspapers on your front porch anytime soon.


More Michael Jackson


 
New Top Level Meeting in Michael Jackson Death

Posted Feb 1st 2010 3:13PM by TMZ Staff
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Dr. Conrad Murray is one step closer to being charged in the death of Michael Jackson after yet another top level meeting in the L.A. County District Attorney's Office last Friday -- this according to multiple law enforcement sources.

The way it was described to us: It was "a big meeting." D.A. Steve Cooley was on the list of attendees.

As we first reported, the D.A. is ready to charge Dr. Conrad Murray with involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson and the case could be filed as early as this week.

The deputy D.A. assigned to the case -- David Walgren -- has all the LAPD's investigative notes, and the D.A. could charge Murray even without having the case formally presented by detectives.
 
Conrad Murray Plans to Surrender
Posted Feb 2nd 2010 3:03PM by TMZ Staff


TMZ has learned Dr. Conrad Murray is in L.A. and plans to surrender tomorrow morning in an L.A. courtroom in connection with Michael Jackson's death ... sources tell TMZ.

As we first reported, the Los Angeles County District Attorney will charge Dr. Murray with involuntary manslaughter as early as this week. Based on Murray's plan to surrender, the charges would have to be filed before the court appearance.

What is unclear -- Will Dr. Murray surrender or will the LAPD arrest him and take him into custody?


More on Dr. Conrad Murray ...

Dr. Conrad Murray -- Too Early to Deal
Dr. Conrad Murray -- The Britney Connection
Murray's New Lawyer -- I Know Propofol


Read more: http://www.tmz.com/2010/02/02/conrad-murray-surrender-involuntary-manslaughter-/#ixzz0ePvGL7B7


Read more: http://www.tmz.com/2010/02/02/conrad-murray-surrender-involuntary-manslaughter-/#ixzz0ePvGWGfE
 
Criminal Complaint Ready in Michael Jackson Death

Posted Feb 3rd 2010 3:01AM by TMZ Staff
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Sources tell TMZ the L.A. County District Attorney's Office has a criminal complaint drafted and ready to file against Dr. Conrad Murray in the death of Michael Jackson.

We're told it's now just a matter of timing before Dr. Murray is charged with involuntary manslaughter -- a felony that carries a maximum 4-year prison sentence.

As we first reported, Dr. Murray plans on surrendering today, so all signs point to the D.A. filing criminal charges as early as this morning.

Dr. Murray is in Los Angeles and his legal team is already mapping out strategy.
 
Michael Jackson Estate Pays 10% to Executors

Posted Feb 3rd 2010 6:00PM by TMZ Staff
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The executors for the estate of Michael Jackson just got their 10%.

John McClain and John Branca had asked the judge for 10% of the profits made from a number of estate-related ventures.

The judge just approved the fee request, stating that the arrangement actually could save the estate money -- because the traditional way of making deals with managers, lawyers, etc. costs a bloody fortune.

One item excluded from the 10% profits from the movie, "This Is It."

The judge also gave McClain and Branca the right to green light deals without going back to court every time for permission.

The judge gave McClain and Branca props for raking in the dough for the estate.
 
Dr. Conrad Murray -- Friday's the Day

Posted Feb 4th 2010 12:11AM by TMZ Staff
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Dr. Conrad Murray will be arraigned Friday and charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson -- law enforcement sources tell TMZ.

We're told Dr. Murray will turn himself in to the LAPD Friday morning. He will be booked and then taken to Airport Court in L.A., Division 144, where he will face a judge at 1:30 PM.

A pool video camera and a still camera will record the event.
 
Feud between LAPD & D.A. Deepens over Murray

Posted Feb 4th 2010 3:19PM by TMZ Staff
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Scratch disagreement ... a feud has erupted over the Dr. Conrad Murray case between the LAPD and the Los Angeles County District Attorney ... law enforcement sources tell TMZ.

As we first reported, the LAPD was ticked that the D.A. kept top cops out of the loop on the subject of charging Dr. Conrad Murray in the death of Michael Jackson.

We told you that yesterday members of the D.A.'s Office met with the LAPD and everyone agreed that cops would take Dr. Murray into custody, book him and deliver him to the courthouse for his arraignment on involuntary manslaughter charges.

But this morning, the feud has intensified and it's now at the top levels of both the LAPD and D.A. The fight is bitter and ultimately the D.A. could do an end around the PD and just have Dr. Murray show up in court tomorrow.

One law enforcement source tells TMZ relations between the D.A. and the LAPD have "totally deteriorated" over the Murray case.

UPDATE: 2:32 PM PT. One of Dr. Murray's lawyers, Ed Chernoff, just posted on his website that he's working with the D.A. to turn his client in after the case is filed. Chernoff said, "An arrest of Dr. Murray would be a waste of money, time and resources." The LAPD begs to differ.

Read more: http://www.tmz.com/#ixzz0ebqocV03
 
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