A son of the king of Bahrain is suing U.S. pop star Michael Jackson for backtracking on an agreement to record a new album and write an autobiography as repayment for the million-dollar loans he received from the prince, press reported Monday."Sheikh Abdullah began to support Mr. Jackson financially after 2005 when it became clear that Mr. Jackson was in very serious financial difficulties, much to Sheikh Abdullah's surprise," Khalifa's lawyer, Bankim Thanki, told London's High Court.
| " Sheikh Abdullah began to support Mr. Jackson financially after 2005 when it became clear that Mr. Jackson was in very serious financial difficulties, much to Sheikh Abdullah's surprise. " Lawyer Thanki |
The two men had a "close personal relationship,"
| Sheik, you actually paid a lawyer to say this in open court? |
The court heard that the sheikh forked out $35,000 to pay utility bills at Jackson's Neverland Ranch and also gave him one million dollars in April 2005 after Jackson asked for the money through an assistant. "Sheikh Abdulla made many more payments on his behalf or to others," including Jackson's $2.2 million legal bill for his criminal trial, he said.
The early financial support coincided with Jackson's 2005 trial on child molestation charges. Despite his acquittal, the case left the 50-year-old performer's reputation and financial status in tatters.