Sheikh seeks millions from Michael Jackson



http://www.cnn.com/2008/W....court.ap/

LONDON, England (AP) -- The son of an Arab monarch is taking the King of Pop to court over an album and an autobiography Michael Jackson was allegedly paid for but never produced.

Sheikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa is seeking $7 million from the embattled singer at London's Royal Courts of Justice.

Lawyers for Al Khalifa say the money was intended as an advance on a joint recording project. Jackson, however, claims the cash was a gift.

David Sherborne, representing Al Khalifa, says the case would mainly hinge on the nature of Jackson's friendship with the sheikh.

Jackson was not in court as the trial opened Monday.

Jackson's finances fell apart following his arrest in 2003 on charges that he molested a 13-year old boy at Neverland. He moved to Bahrain after being acquitted.
[Edited 11/21/08 12:52pm]
[Edited 11/23/08 14:40pm]

No surprise here. When this deal first happened I knew it was going nowhere. I would never do business with MJ.
[Edited 11/17/08 12:02pm]

JackieBlue said:

For some strange reason, I think MJ was going through physical hell after his 2005 acquittal and wanted to escape. I think Jermaine told him to go to Bahrain so he can get some peace of mind. Then we heard about the deal that year. To be honest I was kinda taken back by it and was like "well it seems like he's recovering well..." Little did I know...

Anyway, no matter who you believe in this case, it's still fucked up that it had to end up like this.

Timmy84 said:

Definitely. I thought or at least hoped that things would be good for him there but I thought the deal was a big leap. I just had a feeling about it... Maybe they’ll settle out of court.

Of course you had to bring it here! Oh well, at least here it's possible to really talk about it, without having to deal with countless loons, who find 100 excuses for Mr. Jackson, like the peeps on MJJC! I swear, that place is sometimes like a sect!

JackieBlue said:

They had over one year time to settle this out of court... I think MJ will lose this one and I'm certain that prince won't accept any settlement at that point!
[Edited 11/17/08 12:12pm]

He owes everyone money at this point. He owes me at least $10...I bought "Invincible".

PatrickS77 said:

I read this awhile ago I'm just surprised it wasn't posted here sooner.

PatrickS77 said:

Pat, my dude, that's the ONLY reason I posted it here!

yep, pretty dodgy all the way around.

i don't know why mj seems to get involved with these people, or conversely, why they want to involve themselves with him. why would you extend your hand to help someone who clearly needed help, when you really had ulterior motives? conversely, why do you go sponge off someone to the tune of millions of dollars (allegedly) for months on end without expecting something in return? moreover, from what i read, mj did sign some sort of agreement while in bahrain.

mj should just pay this this guy and be done with him. whatever the misunderstanding, mj is at fault, imho.

^^Well, count on Timmy to bring that shit here!

JackieBlue said:

Plus look how much work was given to MJ to do to fulfill it? Ain't no way with his condition back then that he'd be 100% up to it.

PatrickS77 said:

Timmy84 said:

Oh, so you can finally be honest and say what you really think and not join in in the "I feel sorry for Michael" chorus, like you do over there?!

kibbles said:

Yes! That's what I'm saying too... I mean, he did get that money and benefits after all!

PatrickS77 said:

I still say I feel sorry for him.

I just express more of my opinion on here. You know I don't like to start fights with people who don't agree with me.

Plus, I don't like when either side is one-sided on issues, sure some folks on the ORG can't see anything good in Michael but there's others who share my opinion that MJ can and will do better than this.
[Edited 11/17/08 12:21pm]

Timmy84 said:

Timmy84 said:

Yes! You're like a different person over there... almost to a point of seeming a bit fake sometimes... I love to say my opinions there and get some certain idiots worked up over it!


The best thing is to just ignore those certain idiots over here! But overall, in many ways, it's better to talk here about him...

Oh well! Another day in court for MJ. The most sued individual ever.

Must be a reason for that. Oh yeah! Michael is a stupid idiot.

A new album gets further away.

Timmy84 said:

i love how MJ's mind works sometimes

PatrickS77 said:

Yeah I do seem "fake" over there, but I'm slowly starting to become more opinionated. I think Michael agreeing to do this deal was REAL bad judgment. Honestly, why would he agree to do something that he knew he couldn't do at that time. I just don't buy him being the victim in this at all.

IstenSzek said:

LOL

Remember this is the same guy whose "Scream" video cost...$7 million!

Marrk said:

To the contrary... once that shit is settled the path is clear for a new album!

Timmy84 said:

at this point, unless there is extensive paperwork and signed contracts
on this deal, i'd say the sheikh dug his own grave.

i mean. this isn't the first time something like this happened, i'm sure
i read before about a huge multi million dollar loan that mike had and
in the end he never payed for it but was like "that wasn't a loan, that
was a gift, man"

PatrickS77 said:

If it DOES get settled.

IstenSzek said:

Is everything a gift to Michael. GOT DAMN!

Timmy84 said:

hahaha. you gotta love his approach. i'm gonna try it at the supermarket tomorrow

IstenSzek said:

Good luck!

Whether he is to blame or not there’s a reason why he tends to have such an abundance of litigious and financial messes.

Timmy84 said:

Yeah, you truly do!


Well, say that over there! I dare you to say over there that you think that Michael was an idiot for signing this paper! LOL!

I surely believe MJ was in a bad state of mind and that the prince was taking advantage of the situation, so MJ is a bit of a victim (even though a tiny one)... but still, that doesn't absolve him from taking responsibility... he should have known better, especially after coming off the trial! He should pay the money back and get it over! Who in their right mind would think that someone hands over 7 Mio. as a gift???

JackieBlue said:

As there always is. Michael has been in financial messes for a LONG time.