Questions Over CBS-Jacko Deal

CBS paid Michael Jackson an additional $1 million for a television special to air this week — a program that was key in the negotiations that secured a 60 Minutes interview with the pop star, a newspaper reported Wednesday.

Jackson, 45, is charged in Santa Barbara County, Calif., with seven counts of performing lewd or lascivious acts on a child under 14 and two counts of administering an intoxicating agent, reportedly wine. Jackson, who is free on $3 million bail, has said he is innocent.

A Jackson special called "Michael Jackson Number Ones" was supposed to air in November. The CBS website says the special "takes a historic journey through Michael Jackson's unparalleled career, celebrates his achievements and examines his artistic genius."

The show was removed from the CBS schedule when the allegations against Jackson arose.

Now, CBS says the special has been rescheduled because Jackson agreed to sit for the 60 Minutes interview. It will air Friday.

According to a Jackson business associate, who complained that he was not paid a commission on the extra money, CBS originally agreed to pay Jackson $5 million for the television special, then tacked on an additional $1 million in negotiations after the program was ditched.

The New York Times characterized the extra money as a payment from CBS to Jackson for the interview.

"In essence (CBS) paid him" for the interview, the associate told The Times, suggesting that the money came from CBS entertainment division rather than 60 Minutes, but that this was merely a ruse to shield the news programs from allegations that it had paid for an interview — a move that could be deemed unethical.

But a 60 Minutes spokesman denied that, saying: "CBS News doesn't pay for interviews."

Another CBS spokesman said, "This was not a package deal."

"We licensed a special, nothing else," the spokesman, Chris Ender, told The Times. "The only time these two projects were linked was in the wake of the charges, when we informed Mr. Jackson's people we couldn't broadcast the special if he didn't address the charges on a CBS news program."

Wednesday afternoon CBS released a statement calling The Times story "misleading and false."

"CBS did not pay for its interview with Michael Jackson on 60 Minutes," the statement read. "The origins of this story are unclear as The Times did not see fit to name its single, admittedly disgruntled, source within the Jackson camp."

"We will, however, reiterate what multiple CBS representatives told the Times on the record: CBS licensed an entertainment special, nothing else. There was no payment for a News interview," the statement continued.

According to the business associate, whom The Times does not name, CBS negotiated the extra payment with Jackson's criminal attorney Mark Geragos and Leonard Mohammad.

Mohammad is a Nation of Islam official. The Times and Associated Press have previously reported that the Nation of Islam has assumed a leading role in Jackson's affairs, including his finances and media strategy.

On Monday, Jackson spokesman Stuart Backerman resigned, citing "strategic differences." Backerman refused to comment on reports involving the Nation of Islam.

Geragos and the Nation of Islam have denied any role for the black separatist group, which has espoused controversial views on Jews and gays.

When Geragos held a news conference on Jackson's behalf after charges were announced on Dec. 18, one of those standing behind him was Muhammad.

"He's one of Michael's supporters," Geragos said.

In the 60 Minutes interview, the pop star denied doing anything sexual with children but also said he didn't see anything wrong with children sleeping with grown men and had done so himself as a child star.

He also accused police of mistreating him, displaying what he said was a bruise on his right arm he said he received from jailers.

Sheriff's officials have said the entertainer "was treated with courtesy and professionalism throughout the arrest and booking process." Jackson's account has also been questioned by several doctors interviewed by CBS News.