'Criminal Aspects' Probed In Cost Of Jackson Memorial

LOS ANGELES — Investigators looking into the chain of events that led City Hall to spend an estimated $1.4 million for police protection and other services at Michael Jackson's memorial have turned up possible criminal wrongdoing, the city attorney said Tuesday.

The disclosure two weeks after Jackson's lavish farewell came amid a public backlash over the taxpayer bill, which included more than $48,000 for sandwiches brought in for police from 70 miles away.

City Attorney Carmen Trutanich has been reviewing the procedures that led the city to deploy thousands of police and other city workers for the star-studded tribute at the downtown Staples Center, hoping to identify a way for taxpayers to recoup at least some of the money.

"Our investigation has taken an unanticipated turn that raises both civil and criminal aspects," Trutanich told the City Council. The investigation is continuing, but he said he could not reveal any further details about possible criminal activity.

Trutanich later told the Council his office had exchanged correspondence with AEG, the company that owns the Staples Center. Subsidiary AEG Live was the promoter behind Jackson's planned comeback concerts in London.

"That letter is an investigative-type letter," said Trutanich spokesman John Franklin. "He's asking questions and wanting them to produce certain things.

"His main goal here is to recoup the taxpayers' money. When you are dealing with the civil aspect, that's basically it," Franklin added.

Staples did not reply to an e-mail sent to its media office. AEG Live spokesman Michael Roth did not return a phone call.

The city attorney's office prosecutes misdemeanors, but the office could also pass on any evidence it uncovers of more serious violations to the county district attorney.

The city's involvement in the Jackson event, which was broadcast worldwide, has been marked by confusion. An attempt to collect donations from Jackson fans to help cover the costs was later abandoned by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who at first supported the idea.

The Police Department deployed 3,200 officers after projecting that as many as 250,000 people would converge on downtown streets for the service. Beyond ticket holders, only about 1,000 fans showed up.

The City Council is seeking a full accounting of the taxpayer dollars committed to Jackson's tribute. Councilman Dennis Zine has said the cost of the event could far surpass the estimate.

Comments

[soccerlover]

If Michael McDonald was there, he could have tricked the crowd. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2oWWu4jKQE

[Bude]

That's a lot of donuts.

[andrea7565]

What a debacle! The Staples Arena is an inappropriate forum for a funeral. How unbelievably tacky. And how disgusting that the taxpayers are expected to pay for that travesty. It was clear the kind of security that was mobilized for the event was completely unnecessary. They acted like a major public figure was assassinated. Don't get me wrong, I love Michael Jackson's music, but the status to which he has been elevated since his death is absurd.

[i5kfun]

3,200 cops x 8 hours = 25,600 hours.

Lets say the billable rate for these cops including G&A is $100/hr

That takes us to $2,560,000 just for the cops!

[groucho]

Why do cities always employ so many cops for things like memorial services and peace marches. The most problems are usually the police. (remember the guy on the bike going home from work who was knocked off his bike by some je rk cop for no reason?)
Closing off surrounding city blocks was overkill. But my feeling is they thought the "blacks" might get out of control.

[Carrie Leber]

that's *a lot* of sandwiches!

[bdl0715]

I have heard that the memorial service may be made into a video which will be sold and possibly televised at a later date. Any income AEG receives for this should be paid back to the city until the full amount is recouped.

[duze]

WHEN WILL JORDAN CHANDLER AMD HIS FAMILY BE PROSECUTED FOR ADMITTEDLY LYING ABOUT MOLESTATION CHARGES FILED AGAINST MICHAEL JACKSON?

[Charity]

give it up.

[KingMidas]

Good question..­.why is the media protecting this guy?

[sasson]

Why do you use all caps and fall for unverified urban legends?

[Aabby]

no yelling

[LaPoesie]

The city of Los Angeles and the media thought that Michael Jackson's memorial would be a circus. they thought it was going to be outrageous. They thought his fans were going to be animals. They underestimated the respect that people can have for a man and his memorial service. People were asked NOT to show up if they didn't have tickets and they complied. If the city of LA thought things were going to get rowdy and that they needed 3200 cops, thats on them and they should pay for it.

[Dewtrell]

Exactly! And the fact that the city spent $40K on lunches tells you the real reason why this city and our State for that matter, are broke! We pay taxes in this city and it is the responsibility of the city to protect the public, and this is what our tax dollars are suppose to be used for with these types of events. I don't see the city asking the promoters or artist at the Hollywood Bowl to reimburse the city for protection. I don't see them asking the McCourts at Dodger Stadium to reimburse them for the protection the LAPD provides during the games.

The Jackson family have been L.A. residents for more than 40 years, they pay taxes. AEG is responsible for the entire revialization of Downtown Los Angeles, and they contribute much to the city. Thank god Mayor Villarigosa knows the deal and won't charge the family, AEG or the fans to recoup cost.

[andrea7565]

LaPoesie, you are right!

[greenflower]

This is absolutely rediculous! Some people will never give Michael Jackson the respect that he deserves. Opinionator1 have you forgotten that there was a trial and Mr. Jackson was acquitted. After years of trying L.A. law enforcement still couldn't find any evidence that he was a criminal. As far as the city crying about the expense of his memorial service, that's a bunch of **** too!!!! Who did the planning? I guess he held the city hostage also! LOL

[sidneycat]

Considering the millions of dollars and thousands of man hours that were spent in the past to persecute and emotionally torture an innocent man..L.A. owes Michael a lot more than a couple million...­.There are a number of very credible books out there on the subject, and since scandal "sells" and these authors could find no scandal, time to give it, and Michael a rest..One of the reasons he was in debt was the damage done to his career and reputation, trying to defend himself from extortionists. Hope he is having the last laugh, with money and sympathy pouring in from all over the world.

[Dewtrell]

Amen!

[bensisco]

Typical government waste. They always generously spend tax payer money on themselves. That's why every event is budgeted to cost millions.

[JeffPoster]

That big meal tab has me all worked up. If this same supplier has worked with the city of L.A. before, and once again, provided essentially two meals per person for the police working the event detail, I think it can be chalked up to "political patronage". I understand a local Subway franchise offered to do the same for about one-third the price...hm­ph!

[cyoohoos]

Why did they feed them at all? Most of them were making overtime. They can't buy/bring their own lunch?

[Opinionator1]

1.5 million for 10,000 people. What does that work out to?

As for the disbelieve­rs...how do you suppose the children were able to describe his genitals precisely? He liked to drug children and have sex with them. That was his shtick...

[AnaisKarim]

There was only one child who described his genitals - Jordan Chandler - and his description was wrong. That's why no criminal charges were brought in 1993. You are just repeating tabloid lies with no factual information.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lVUvOLdg50

[sasson]

His description was not "wrong," it was merely inconclusive. Heck, I bet most people could not describe their own genitals.

[sasson]

By the way, nice unbiased source. Just like the websites that say Jordan Chandler "recanted" his accusations.

At the end of the day, we just don't know either way, so don't pretend that we do.

[duze]

Speaking of Little Mr. Chandler, he recently admitted he lied. Jordon stated he simply said "what his father told him to say, because they needed the money" And because of these manufactured lie a man was persecuted and reviled by many in this country ONLY. Michael Jackson work remained #1 on every musical chart or billboard in the world. This country described him as JACKO. However, this country accepted and spent the 300,000,000. he gave to charity. The Guniness Book of records referred to Michael Jackson more than any other person who ever donated to charities in this country, sold records, made videos, awards, welcomed by two presidents and dignataries around the world. Michael brought, designed and voluntarily offered Neverland specifically for children with terminal diseases. These are the things he should be remembered for not the lies of greedy people who were willing to lie (to the fools who believed it )and ruin a man's life for money

[octopi]

The police never said the description was accurate. They said it was "precise." You can look it up at The Smoking Gun website.

[Dewtrell]

http://floacist.wordpress.com/2007/08/22/gq-article-was-michael-jackson-framed/

And I went to Smoking Gun, there is no such thing listed on their site dude.

[Rictracee]

I am so sick of all this whinning about this cost of the memorial.. THE CITY MADE A BOAT LOAD of money off this memorial too... but you will not hear about that.. all this is such a crock of crap.