http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/news/7593949.htm
Posted on Mon, Dec. 29, 2003
Nation of Islam denies involvement in Michael Jackson's affairs
LINDA DEUTSCH
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES - The Nation of Islam on Monday denied it was taking a central role in Michael Jackson's strategy to defend himself against charges that he committed lewd acts on a child.
The group issued a statement after receiving inquiries from The Associated Press and other news organizations. Sources close to the Jackson camp had told the AP that the Chicago-based group was helping direct decisions that related to the case.
"The Nation of Islam, in response to several inquiries, has said today that it has no official business or professional relationship with Mr. Michael Jackson," said a statement issued by The Final Call, the group's newspaper. "The Nation of Islam joins thousands of other people in wishing him well."
Jackson's attorney, Mark Geragos, also denied the reports.
"They are not part of his defense," Geragos said. "I'm certainly not pushing away support from anyone, but I don't ask people what their religious affiliation is when they offer support.
"A lot of people have reached out to Michael. Jesse Jackson has called, and I've spoken to him. Tons of people are supportive."
Geragos acknowledged that when he held a news conference on Jackson's behalf after charges were announced on Dec. 18, one of those standing behind him was Leonard F. Muhammad, identified on the group's Web site as its chief of staff.
"Leonard Muhammad was there," Geragos said. "He's one of Michael's supporters."
In a separate development Monday, longtime Jackson spokesman Stuart Backerman said he resigned because of what he called "strategic differences."
Backerman refused to comment on the reports that the Nation of Islam had become involved with the Jackson camp.
Geragos said Backerman was fired five days ago because he spoke to the news media during a Jackson family get-together Dec. 20 at Jackson's Neverland estate near Santa Barbara.
The event was designed to show support for the embattled singer after he was charged with seven counts of performing lewd or lascivious acts on a child under 14 and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent, reportedly wine.
"He was terminated by me personally for talking when I told him not to," Geragos said.
Backerman responded to Geragos' statement by saying, "That's untrue."
"I was the spokesman up until I just resigned. I was actively involved with management," Backerman said.
"I was not fired," he said.
Backerman, who has been Jackson's spokesman for a year and was a consultant for six months before that, said Geragos would not have had the authority to fire him. But he acknowledged that Geragos asked him after the party to not speak to the media again until they had further discussions.
Sources who have been close to the Jackson camp said Muhammad and other Nation of Islam members had been working out of Geragos' office, a claim the lawyer denied.
The Jackson insiders, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Nation of Islam members handled security during the Dec. 20 Neverland party and began taking over some of Jackson's business affairs. Many of Jackson's regular advisers were unable to gain access to the singer after that, they said.
Attorney Brian Oxman, who is a close friend of the Jackson family and has represented some of them in litigation, said his attorney-client relationship with the family restricted what he can say.
"I'm aware of the claims about the Nation of Islam and the factors behind them," he said. "As to what the details are, I have no information. I've heard of the claims, but I do not know their validity."
Two of Jackson's business advisers, Charles Koppelman and Alan Whitman, said they remain in charge of Jackson's music and finances.
Asked about the Nation of Islam's reported role in directing Jackson's affairs, Koppelman said, "It's not the case as to his music, finances and assets. I think it's primarily in security."
Koppelman, a former chief of EMI Records, said he negotiated with CBS for the broadcast of a Jackson television special, which is set to air Friday. He said he has not talked to Jackson about the Nation of Islam.
"If he gets involved on a spiritual basis, that's his business," he said.
Whitman, an accountant, said he continues to be Jackson's financial manager.
"I receive his bills and write his checks. ... Anything else I relate to Mr. Jackson is confidential," he said.
Koppelman and Whitman said they have been working with Jackson for about a year.
Jackson's brother, Jermaine has converted to Islam but is not a member of the Nation of Islam. He was asked during an appearance on CNN's "Larry King Live" whether his brother planned to convert and answered no.
Geragos also ridiculed the Nation of Islam reports during that TV appearance.
Posted on Mon, Dec. 29, 2003
Nation of Islam denies involvement in Michael Jackson's affairs
LINDA DEUTSCH
Associated Press
LOS ANGELES - The Nation of Islam on Monday denied it was taking a central role in Michael Jackson's strategy to defend himself against charges that he committed lewd acts on a child.
The group issued a statement after receiving inquiries from The Associated Press and other news organizations. Sources close to the Jackson camp had told the AP that the Chicago-based group was helping direct decisions that related to the case.
"The Nation of Islam, in response to several inquiries, has said today that it has no official business or professional relationship with Mr. Michael Jackson," said a statement issued by The Final Call, the group's newspaper. "The Nation of Islam joins thousands of other people in wishing him well."
Jackson's attorney, Mark Geragos, also denied the reports.
"They are not part of his defense," Geragos said. "I'm certainly not pushing away support from anyone, but I don't ask people what their religious affiliation is when they offer support.
"A lot of people have reached out to Michael. Jesse Jackson has called, and I've spoken to him. Tons of people are supportive."
Geragos acknowledged that when he held a news conference on Jackson's behalf after charges were announced on Dec. 18, one of those standing behind him was Leonard F. Muhammad, identified on the group's Web site as its chief of staff.
"Leonard Muhammad was there," Geragos said. "He's one of Michael's supporters."
In a separate development Monday, longtime Jackson spokesman Stuart Backerman said he resigned because of what he called "strategic differences."
Backerman refused to comment on the reports that the Nation of Islam had become involved with the Jackson camp.
Geragos said Backerman was fired five days ago because he spoke to the news media during a Jackson family get-together Dec. 20 at Jackson's Neverland estate near Santa Barbara.
The event was designed to show support for the embattled singer after he was charged with seven counts of performing lewd or lascivious acts on a child under 14 and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent, reportedly wine.
"He was terminated by me personally for talking when I told him not to," Geragos said.
Backerman responded to Geragos' statement by saying, "That's untrue."
"I was the spokesman up until I just resigned. I was actively involved with management," Backerman said.
"I was not fired," he said.
Backerman, who has been Jackson's spokesman for a year and was a consultant for six months before that, said Geragos would not have had the authority to fire him. But he acknowledged that Geragos asked him after the party to not speak to the media again until they had further discussions.
Sources who have been close to the Jackson camp said Muhammad and other Nation of Islam members had been working out of Geragos' office, a claim the lawyer denied.
The Jackson insiders, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Nation of Islam members handled security during the Dec. 20 Neverland party and began taking over some of Jackson's business affairs. Many of Jackson's regular advisers were unable to gain access to the singer after that, they said.
Attorney Brian Oxman, who is a close friend of the Jackson family and has represented some of them in litigation, said his attorney-client relationship with the family restricted what he can say.
"I'm aware of the claims about the Nation of Islam and the factors behind them," he said. "As to what the details are, I have no information. I've heard of the claims, but I do not know their validity."
Two of Jackson's business advisers, Charles Koppelman and Alan Whitman, said they remain in charge of Jackson's music and finances.
Asked about the Nation of Islam's reported role in directing Jackson's affairs, Koppelman said, "It's not the case as to his music, finances and assets. I think it's primarily in security."
Koppelman, a former chief of EMI Records, said he negotiated with CBS for the broadcast of a Jackson television special, which is set to air Friday. He said he has not talked to Jackson about the Nation of Islam.
"If he gets involved on a spiritual basis, that's his business," he said.
Whitman, an accountant, said he continues to be Jackson's financial manager.
"I receive his bills and write his checks. ... Anything else I relate to Mr. Jackson is confidential," he said.
Koppelman and Whitman said they have been working with Jackson for about a year.
Jackson's brother, Jermaine has converted to Islam but is not a member of the Nation of Islam. He was asked during an appearance on CNN's "Larry King Live" whether his brother planned to convert and answered no.
Geragos also ridiculed the Nation of Islam reports during that TV appearance.
