Neverland Staff, Animals Face Cuts

Michael Jackson got a loan to cover back pay at his Neverland Ranch, but may still have to lay off staff and move animals from his private zoo, sources tell CBS News Correspondent Vince Gonzales.

CBS News reported earlier this week that staff at Jackson's Neverland Ranch staged a sickout because they had not been paid.

Prosecutors want to review Michael Jackson's financial records, saying they believe serious money troubles drove the entertainer to force his accuser's family to help him rebut a damaging television documentary.

Assistant District Attorney Gordon Auchincloss requested copies of Jackson's financial records Friday at a hearing that included several rulings in the singer's child molestation case, including that "Tonight Show" host Jay Leno may joke about Jackson despite a gag order on prospective witnesses.

Auchincloss told Judge Rodney S. Melville the state only wanted "a concise snapshot" of Jackson's finances to show the entertainer is "on the precipice of bankruptcy."

Melville said he would allow only minimal evidence on Jackson's financial condition. He asked both sides lawyers to confer and reach an agreement by Thursday on what financial records would be released.

"I don't want to inundate the jury with a lot of figures that don't tell a story," the judge said. "I don't think you can turn the jury into accountants."

Jackson lawyer Robert Sanger denied Auchincloss' assertion and said the state's focus on the singer's finances today has no relevance to his finances in 2003, the year at issue in the trial.

Despite Sanger's denial, Auchincloss called Jackson "a spend-a-holic" who has "an insatiable appetite for money." From 1999 to 2001, he said, Jackson was spending $35 million a year while earning only $11 million to $12 million.

"He is in debt to the tune of $300 million and has liabilities close to $400 million," the prosecutor said.

Auchincloss did not explain if he was talking about two amounts or including the debts in the sum of liabilities.

Prosecutors allege money troubles gave Jackson an incentive to hold his accuser's family captive to help him respond to a TV interview he gave in which he admitted sharing his bed with children.

Jackson, who was not required to attend Friday's hearing, was not in court. His spokeswoman, Raymone Bain, told The Associated Press he is still in pain from a back injury that caused him to be late for court Thursday, an incident that irritated the judge.

Jackson's accuser was expected to return to the stand Monday to continue being cross-examined. He testified Thursday about two alleged molestations.

Later in the trial, the defense is expected to call Leno as part of its effort to show the accuser's family has sought money from many celebrities, including the "Tonight Show" host. According to the defense, Leno called police after talking with the accuser because he thought the boy's family was looking for a "mark."

The judge said he would not even try to make Leno stop telling jokes that assume Jackson is guilty.

"I am not attempting to prevent anybody from making a living in the normal way that they make their living," he said.

The judge also joked: "I'd like him to tell good jokes ... but I guess I can't control that."

Sanger, Jackson's lawyer, said Leno has made "very cruel jokes" that could affect how he might testify. He urged the judge to restrict him.

"We're not putting him out of his business if he can't talk about Michael Jackson for a few weeks," Sanger said.

The judge said he didn't believe such a limit would be constitutional.

Leno has been finding creative ways to make jokes about Jackson without opening his mouth, including having comedians deliver lines during his monologue and a spoof of Jackson's odd arrival at court Thursday. Leno arrived "late" for his show that night, stepping from a black limousine in SpongeBob SquarePants pajamas and accompanied by several bodyguards. One of the bodyguards held an open umbrella over the host's head.

Leno expressed his delight with Melville's ruling by beginning Friday's show dancing and "moonwalking" down a hallway. He followed that with his opening monologue, which was made up entirely of Jackson jokes.

In other rulings, the judge rejected a defense bid to take jurors to Neverland and a media request that copies of videotapes admitted as evidence be given to news organizations. He also said he would allow defense evidence about the accuser's mother having cosmetic surgery but said its relevance must be explained.