Jackson advisors gather for meeting

Popstar Michael Jackson’s inner circle met at a Beverly Hills hotel today to look at the entertainer’s business affairs – four days before his first court appearance on child molestation charges.

The meeting was attended by attorneys, managers and accountants for the superstar, along with Nation of Islam leaders.

Jackson’s lawyer, Mark Geragos, came out of a closed-door session at the Beverly Hills Hotel suite and allowed a reporter and photographer into the room to ask a few questions, seeking to end the atmosphere of secrecy that had surrounded the gathering.

“This is going on throughout the day,” he said, indicating that other members of the Jackson team would be participating later.

When asked why Jackson, 45, was not present, Geragos said, ”Who says he isn’t?” However, Jackson could not be seen in the room.

Members of Jackson’s closest advisers were gathered around a large table in the suite. At the head of the table was Leonard Muhammad, a high-ranking official of the Nation of Islam who has been described as an adviser to Jackson. Other Nation of Islam members were in an area outside the suite.

Also at the meeting were Jackson’s accountant, Alan Whitman; his music manager Charles Koppelman; his civil lawyer, Zia Modabber and other members of the Geragos law firm.

When asked if the Nation of Islam was handling any aspect of Jackson’s financial affairs, Koppelman said: “No sir.”

When asked who was in charge of the meeting, Geragos said: ”This is a very egalitarian group.”

Security at the hotel was high and other guests were unaware of the meeting until they reached the end of the driveway where fans and camera crews were assembled.

One of the celebrity guests at the hotel, Donald Trump, stopped to chat with reporters and was asked what he thought of the Jackson case.

“I think they’re trying to make money off Michael and it’s a shame,” Trump said.

Earlier in the day, Jackson’s brother, Jermaine, and a handful of fans held a news conference to describe plans to support Jackson during his Friday arraignment in a Santa Maria courtroom.

“My brother is innocent, he is 1,000% innocent,” Jermaine Jackson said. “My mother, father, sisters and brothers are overwhelmed at the outpouring of the fans in the USA and all around the world.”

Diana Dalo, a fan from Italy, said fans were planning a ”huge gathering” in Santa Maria over several days that also will include people from Spain, France, Britain, Canada, Mexico and Japan, as well as from around the United States.

Jackson is 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 is free on three million dollar bail pending his arraignment. Jackson has maintained his innocence.

A hearing is also scheduled Friday for news organisations who are asking a judge to unseal documents related to the November 18 search of Jackson’s Neverland Ranch.