Jackson at the centre of new court case

A former business associate of Michael Jackson is suing the pop icon, claiming he is owed $3m (€2.3m) in unpaid loans, producing fees and cash advances.

The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday by J Marc Schaffel at Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Schaffel alleges he was a key figure in producing a pair of Fox television specials to counter British journalist Martin Bashir's controversial documentary which was instrumental in renewing concerns over the Thriller singer's involvement with children.

Schaffel claims Jackson owes him $2.2m (€1.7m) alone in loans to fund lavish shopping sprees and other expenses, including paying Marlon Brando to appear at one of his concerts and buying jewellery for Elizabeth Taylor.

Schaffel first came to widespread public attention for his involvement with the 2002 charity single What More Can I Give? recorded by Jackson to raise money for victims of September 11. However, the project was put on hold when Jackson learned of Schaffel's past as a gay pornography director.

Bashir's February 2003 documentary showed the now 46-year-old Jackson holding hands with a 12-year-old boy with whom he later confessed sharing his bedroom. Jackson admitted he had spent the night with many children but vehemently denied any sexual activity.

The child molestation charges which Jackson currently faces are based on allegations stemming from the boy featured in the Bashir documentary.

The later Fox specials are at the centre of Jackson's criminal case because the prosecuting team argues that the boy and his family were pressured into appearing by Jackson's aides in an attempt to rebuild his public image.