Las Vegas Weekly

June 12, 2009 · 8:44 AM

Michael Jackson faces $40 million lawsuit ahead of departure for London shows

By Robin Leach

Kenny Ortega and Michael Jackson with the selected dancers.

Photo: Courtesy

On the eve of departure for London, King of Pop Michael Jackson has a new $40 million problem on his hands. At first, it looked as if the new breach of contract lawsuit might interfere with the 50-show run in England, but attorney Ira Meyerowitz says they won’t stop him from performing there.

Allgood Entertainment reportedly had a signed contract with Michael’s manager to do a reunion concert with members of the Jackson family and produce it as a pay-per-view spectacular. The contract apparently had stipulations in it forbidding our on and off Las Vegas resident to perform elsewhere beforehand or for 90 days afterward.

But the London shows violated contract terms even before he’d performed them. Allgood’s managing partner, Patrick Allocco, said, “We’ve given Michael Jackson and his London promoters every opportunity to resolve this, but we have not heard from anyone. … . We want to be compensated for an agreement they entered into or be involved in some way with the London shows.”

As is quite normal, the deal called for Michael not to perform elsewhere for a certain period of time before the event or for at least three months after it. The lawsuit, now in court in New Jersey, says Michael, manager Frank DiLeo and event promoter AEG Live/Concerts West broke the contract by signing to do the London series of concerts this summer.

So far, representatives for Michael and AEG have made no comment. Michael is due to take off to England from L.A. this weekend or early next week to continue the rehearsals of the This Is It series of shows in London. Click HERE for our story this week about Michael’s unusual demand for a children’s choir able to sing and simultaneously use sign language!

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter HERE.

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