Joe Jackson: Son's Advisers were Frauds

Michael Jackson's Father Files Motion Before Estate Hearing Claiming Advisers Bilked Singer

(AP)  On the eve of a hearing in the Michael Jackson estate, a lawyer for the singer's father filed a 60-page motion Monday that intensifies a bid to get money from his son's estate by making accusations of fraud against the administrators of his will.

Joseph Jackson's attorney, Brian Oxman, filed a blizzard of documents in court late Monday claiming that the singer believed his old friends John Branca and John McClain had defrauded him. He also accused both of conflicts of interest and said they should be removed from administering the will.

Joseph Jackson was omitted from his son's will with all of Michael Jackson's assets going to his mother, his children and children's charities.

Howard Weitzman, one of the attorneys representing Branca and McClain, issued a statement Monday night in response to the motion. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Tuesday morning.

"These claims filed by Joe Jackson are so outrageous that they don't deserve any response," said Weitzman.

It was unclear whether Joseph Jackson has the legal standing to challenge its provisions.

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Oxman said in a phone interview that the father is allowed to challenge the executors as "an interested party who has the right to be an executor or personal representative."

Most of Oxman's accusations were aimed at Branca, the attorney who represented Jackson for more than 20 years and is seen as the architect of his financial empire. Branca parted ways with Jackson in 2006 and then returned to work with him shortly before the singer died.

Oxman claimed that Jackson believed Branca had committed "crimes" against him including embezzlement and funneling money into offshore accounts. But Oxman acknowledged in the interview Monday night that may not be true.

"It's not the truth or falsity of the accusation," he said. "It's that Michael believed it and that's why he terminated him."

Branca has said he was not terminated; he resigned because he felt Jackson was being influenced by people who did not have his best interests at heart.

Among the items attached to the motion filed Monday is an undated report from a New York private investigation firm, known as Interfor, allegedly hired by Jackson to investigate Branca and his connections to Tommy Mottola, a music executive with whom Jackson was feuding.

The one page report refers to "rumors of irregularities involved in the accounting of legal fees" but cites no evidence.

Instead, it related finding a former employee who described Branca as "brilliant" and quoted a paralegal as saying "Branca is very quiet, intelligent, shy but lovely with a funny sense of humor."

Michael Jackson's 2002 will omitted any mention of his father. The two had an often-strained relationship.

Oxman claimed father and son had reconciled and "Michael loved his father."

[pickaguitar1]

RIP Michael

[barcar55]

After Joe's kids became famous he quit his real job. He hasn't had to do anything but leech off the success of the kids for the last 45 yrs. Old habits are hard to break I suppose. No wonder he and Kathryn aren't together anymore, Michael probably got tired of supporting him.

[CATEYES877]

IF MICHAEL WHATED YOU TO HAVE A CUT OF THE MONEY JOE, HE WOULD HAVE LEFT YOU IN THE WILL. STOP TRYING TO RIP OFF YOUR GRAND KIDS AND GET YOURSELF A JOB.

[PaGuy1960]

He's such a lowlife

[hockeymom441]

Joe Jackson is a loser who should be utterly ashamed of himself.

He drove his son to his death by exploiting him throughout his young life.

The Will has spoken and any attempts to argue against it are transparantly ill-founded.

[CompletelyFrustrated]

Pathetic money-grubbing parasite!!!

Sorry Joe, you and your buddy Al will have to find another money scam! This one is dried up!

[stryker54]

I was never a Michael Jackson fan, but hey the boy did't leave Daddy a dime. Respect Michaels last wishes. He didn't want Joe to have any.
Get a grip Joe, if it wasn't for your kids you would be a no body, well you are anyway.

[Skirt-Lifter]

Corpse Mining requires a permit Joe, do you have one?

[edgy44]

We keep graduating ambulance chasers instead of engineers in this country. It's no wonder we have a 12 Trillion dollar debt...

[Dgunner]

That SOB has to be 171 years old by now . I want to know the secret of his long life. I don't mean not working for a living and bumming from his children.He looks like three cheese burgers from the morgue and has for twenty years past.

[mtcolquitt]

There are more frauds here than just his advisers. Joe is one of them!

[rondivoo]

I certainly hope Joe Jackson cannot get any of Michael's money. Michael excluded him in the will because he didn't want him to have any. Hope the courts uphold MJ's wishes.

[mommybarber2]

Is this man every going to give up on trying to get money from his son????????

[6591Hou]

Give it a rest Joe, the money was not meant for you.