Michael Jackson: 'Criminal aspects' probed in memorial cost

Michael Jackson: 'Criminal aspects' probed in memorial cost

The investigators are looking into the chain of events that led the City Hall to spend an estimated $1.4 million for police protection and other services at Michael Jackson's memorial that have turned up to be possible criminal wrongdoing. On Tuesday the city attorney has revealed this news.

This significant disclosure was made two weeks after lavish farewell of Michael Jackson that came amidst a public backlash over the taxpayer bill, which included over 48,000 dollars for sandwiches that were brought in for police from seventy miles away.

The 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, thereby hoping to identify a way for taxpayers to recoup at least some of the money.

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

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

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

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

Staples did not reply to an e-mail that was sent to its media office. However 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 regarding uncovering more serious violations to the county district attorney.

The city's involvement in the event of Michael Jackson, which was broadcast throughout the world, has been marked by confusion. An attempt to collect donations from fans of Michael Jackson in order 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 that the cost of the event could far surpass the estimate.