Korean Paper Seeks Millions From Estate

The South Korean newspaper Segye Times is seeking nearly $7.9 million from Michael Jackson's estate for an unpaid judgment entered against his parents and brother Jermaine, court records show.

On Monday, the newspaper filed court records in Los Angeles Superior Court seeking priority for payment of a $4 million judgment entered against Katherine, Joseph, and Jermaine Jackson in 1994 (!) for canceled concert dates. They claim the judgment has nearly doubled as interest has accrued.

The paper sued Katherine, Joseph, and Jermaine Jackson in 1990 in Contra Costa, claiming the family members were paid $5.5 million for a series of concerts. The concerts never happened and the paper sued, including Michael Jackson as a defendant, documents state. Michael settled the claims against him in an out-of-court deal in 1992. A judge held a trial in February 1992. None of the remaining Jacksons listed in the lawsuit showed up for the trial, and a judgment against Katherine, Joseph, and Jermaine Jackson was entered. The Jackson family later asked for a new trial, but the bid was rejected.

So far it is unclear whether Michael`s estate is indeed liable for the remaining judgment. Katherine Jackson is the only person listed in Monday`s filing, being a beneficiary of her son's estate.

"I have no knowledge or comment on this matter," Katherine Jackson's attorney, L. Londell McMillan, wrote in an e-mail.

The judgment is one of several listed in a 1999 bankruptcy petition filed by Katherine and Joseph Jackson in Los Angeles (USA). At the time, the couple listed $24 million in debts that included court judgments, auto loans and credit cards.

Source: MJFC / AP