Untouchable

by Randall Sullivan

  MJ more vulnerable to family when with his children/AEG knowledge: Tohme. KJ convincing MJ to come to Beverly Hills Hotel meeting: confidential source. Phillips and Gongaware flanking MJ at meeting, what was discussed: Allocco (to muzikfactorytwo/later in complaints against MJ & estate), Rowe; also, confidential source not present at the meeting but who heard a good deal about it later. “But we all knew how hard it was”: confidential source. Brothers’ public denial, letter to Rowe: review of both May 15, 2009, press release issued by the Jackson brothers and May 25 letter to Rowe. “No one was sure,” “stabbed in the back”: confidential sources. “Do or die”: Randy Phillips in “Deep pockets”/LA Times. Preproduction costs to AEG: primarily, introduced in defense in Murray case (though most of it was kept out); significant part of KJ lawsuit against AEG; also widely reported at the time. “Millionaire from a billionaire”: Phillips in “Promoter . . . right moves”/Telegraph. “Track record of missed performances”: “Deep pockets/LA Times; “Michael Jackson Rehearses Near Burbank Airport” also referenced “his reputation for flaking out on performances and business deals.” “We made Mohammed come to the mountain”: Phillips to Telegraph. “In this business”: Phillips in “Deep pockets.” Wish to “recreate” Victoria Falls: Phillips to contactmusic.com. Phillips added, “We were able to talk him out of that”; I was told by a confidential source that Phillips was a bit more forceful than that in his refusal. Elephant, monkeys, etc., objections of animal rights groups: Jamieson/Telegraph; Phillips’s gratitude for the protests: confidential source. Phillips reminding MJ his own assets were collateral: same confidential source. “He said he would have to work at McDonald’s”: Karen Faye to LAPD, reported in “Do You Want Fries with That?”/TMZ. “Michael Jackson economic stimulus”: Seatwave president to BBC 6 Music via metro.co.uk. AEG out about $30 million: documents associated with AEG lawsuit; Phillips has acknowledged that, more or less, to Contact Music and other interviews.

  “I don’t want to hold anything back”: Ortega to Hoffman/Rolling Stone. Work on sound stages at Culver Studios, Bernt Capra quotes: Wiseman/Topanga Messenger; also, Associated Press. Two-a-day sessions with MJ: Travis Payne to Raffles Van Exel. John Caswell quotes: to Kaufman/mtv.com. AllGood lawsuit: review of documents, also, widely reported at the time; see Michaels/Guardian. June 16 and 19 absences from rehearsal: tabloids and Internet at the time, evidence in Murray trial, documents connected to AEG lawsuit. “Self-sabotaging”: Karen Faye to LAPD/reported on TMZ. That accountants and lawyers were impressed by MJ’s focus when it came to business matters I heard from a lawyer and an accountant, neither of whom I can identify by name; Bravado’s CEO made the same point in “Singer’s Last Big Product Push”/LA Times, which enumerated the merchandise to be sold at O2 shows. London shows/potential to repair MJ finances: confidential source. “There are those,” “his dignity as an artist”: Kenny Ortega to McLean/Times of London. Schaffel and Wiesner doubts: Schaffel, Wiesner.

  Dileo suggesting bringing Branca aboard: confidential source associated with the lawsuit against AEG. “I’m pretty sure Dileo wanted to bring Branca in”: confidential source. “Michael wants you to come back”/emotional reunion: Branca quoting Dileo to Deutsch/Associated Press. At least a dozen people (including Katherine Jackson) have told me that MJ denounced Branca in the strongest possible language during the last years of his life. Tohme introduction to Branca/lunch date/breaking date at MJ insistence: Tohme; Randy Phillips, on the advice of Marvin Putnam, refused to comment; I also asked Branca, through Mike Sitrick, and got no reply. Michael Amir Williams (Brother Michael) has been very clear about the fact that he never heard Branca’s name or heard about any meetings between MJ and Branca or that MJ had rehired Branca as his attorney.

  AEG encouraging hiring of Siegel (they nearly succeeded): e-mails between Brother Michael, Randy Phillips’s assistant Arlyne Lewiston and Siegel. John Hougdahl (inc. “very shaky” quote): e-mail to Phillips and Gongaware. AEG execs furious: testified to at Murray trial, documents associated with AEG lawsuit, confidential source; this source also told me Ortega reassured Phillips and Gongaware during the shooting of the Dome project. “Hugging bones”: Stoller in “Shocking End”/People. Weight 157 pounds in London: Tohme, who put MJ on the scale in his hotel suite. “We did talk a lot about his weight”: Ortega to Lang/The Wrap. Fork-feeding: Phillips to Hoffman/Rolling Stone. “It’s not true”: Ortega to the Times of London. Bain filing for default judgment: June 4, 2009; the appearance on his behalf in D.C. took place shortly before his death; see the Blog of Legal Times, report largely based on National Law Journal; also, MJ fan clubs covered this. Gongaware-Rwaramba letter: Rwaramba LAPD statement, review of document. I believe the quotes attributed to Rwaramba by Barak are accurate, which is why I’ve used them. At the same time, I did feel obligated to acknowledge those (Mallika Chopra and her father Deepak in particular) who have claimed Grace was tricked into giving those interviews, and to note Schaffel’s “vulture” opinion. Please see notes to Chapter 12 for more on Grace’s interviews with Barak. Grace calling Schaffel in late May 2009: Schaffel.

  MJ/worsening insomnia: attested to at Murray trial, media coverage; close advisors of KJ have said his own children told their grandmother they were aware he wasn’t getting enough sleep. Late night calls/end of world at hand: confidential sources associatged with KJ/Jackson family, also, Jason Pfeiffer to Woman’s Day. “Too wound up”: Dileo to Rossen/NBC, Van Exel. Payne and Ortega on insomnia/late night calls: Payne to Van Exel, Ortega (“I’m channeling”) to the Times of London/(“information was coming”) to Lee/LA Times blog., Dr. Allan Metzger/propofol: Lee/People (see also Chapter 26). MJ “fearful” O2 concerts would fail due to his exhaustion: Metzger testimony, Murray trial. Klein refusal to prescribe anything beyond sedatives, painkillers, and muscle relaxants: Klein to investigators from coroner’s office and medical board/People v. Murray court file. I believe him; the only drugs prescribed by Klein in MJ’s home after his death were muscle relaxants. Dr. Larry Koplin: subpoena of medical records, L.A. County Coroner; in the subpoena Grace Rwaramba (“Owanda”) identified Koplin as “the last physician to treat Jackson.” Koplin denied providing MJ with propofol and no evidence has been offered to the contrary. “Groggy and out of it”: confidential source, a witness in the AEG lawsuit. Kenny Ortega testimony: Murray trial. Ortega to Phillips e-mail: dated June 20 below, admitted into evidence/Murray trial. AEG execs furious Ortega sent MJ home, Phillips telling Dileo to remind MJ of his contractual obligations: evidence obtained by plaintiffs side/AEG lawsuit. Phillips call to Dr. Murray: Phillips testimony, Murray trial. Dileo voicemail: played in court, evidence. “My concern is” and all Ortega direct quotes and paraphrases in paragraph: Ortega’s June 20, 2009, e-mail to Phillips. “He kept telling people”: Pfeiffer, Woman’s Day. MJ inability to get warm: Paris Jackson to KJ, recounted in documents from AEG lawsuit. “I could hear Michael in the background”: Lee on Anderson Cooper 360.

  Conrad Murray drug purchases: evidence (including receipts), preliminary hearing and trial. Benzodiazepine drugs: Wikipedia, associated medical journal articles; “Benzodiazepine” chapter/Shorter/Historical Dictionary of Psychiatry. Wikipedia can admittedly be risky, but I found the entries there to be astonishingly thorough and thoughtful. Claims attributed to Murray: interview with LAPD Detectives Martinez and Smith, a significant piece of evidence at the trial. Murray carrying oxygen canisters: Kai Chase to Deutsch/Associated Press, later, to Larry King Live, also, Chase to police investigators, Murray trial. June 20, 2009, meeting with Murray: Ortega and Phillips testimony/Murray trial.

  COURT FILES

  Criminal

  LASC SA073164.

  Criminal Investigation

  USDC-CA 09MJ1897.

  Civil

  USDC-CA CV10 4734.

  LASC BC445597.

  2:11-bk-12718-RN (United States Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California) Bankruptcy Petition of Arnold Klein, January 20, 2011 (hereafter cited as 2:11-bk-12718-RN).<
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  2:11-ap-02407-RN 6/27/11.

  2:11-ap-02407-RN 8/3/11.

  LASC BP117321 2/17/12.

  DOCUMENTS

  “Letter of Intent” 1/26/09.

  “Promissory Note” 1/26/09.

  Williams to Lewiston, 4/27/09.

  Lewiston to Williams, 4/27/09.

  E-mail from Barry Siegel, managing partner, Provident Financial Management, to Michael Amir Williams. April 27, 2009.

  E-mail from Barry Siegel to Michael Amir Williams. April 28, 2009.

  E-mail from Michael Amir Williams to Barry Siegel. April 30, 2009.

  E-mail from Barry Siegel to Michael Amir Williams. April 30, 2009.

  E-mail from Michael Amir Williams to Barry Siegel. May 1, 2009.

  E-mail from Barry Siegel to Michael Amir Williams. May 1, 2009.

  “Dear Patients and Friends.” Letter sent by Dr. Conrad Murray to announce his “decision to cease practice of medicine.” June 15, 2009.

  E-mail from John Hougdahl to Randy Phillips and Paul Gongaware. June 19, 2009.

  E-mail from Kenny Ortega to Randy Phillips. June 20, 2009.

  “Statement by Jermaine Jackson” announcing Michael Jackson’s death. June 25, 2009.

  “Los Angeles Police Department Internal Affairs Group Transcript of Recorded Interview with Dr. Conrad Murray.” June 27, 2009.

  Weitzman to Sullivan and Entrekin, 3/31/11.

  “RE: Your Letter of March 28, 2011.” letter from Lee H. Durst (Howard Mann attorney) to Jeremiah Reynolds (Howard Weitzman associate). April 3, 2011 (hereafter cited as Durst to Reynolds, 4/3/11).

  POSTPONEMENT/MJ HEALTH

  Connor, Tracy. “Michael Jackson Denies Skin Cancer Report; Star Still Set to Perform at London Comeback Concerts.” New York Daily News, May 16, 2009.

  Friedman, Roger. “Jacko Shows Delayed, but Are Definitely On.” Showbiz411.com, May 11, 2009 (I).

  ———. “Jacko Shows Might Be Delayed.” Showbiz411.com, May 4, 2009 (I).

  ———. “Jacko Start Date Pushed Back—We Told Ya.” Showbiz411.com, May 21, 2009 (I).

  McConnell, “Doctors.”

  “Michael Jackson Fans Launch Petition over O2 Arena Postponement.” NME, May 21, 2009.

  Rogerson, Ben. “Jackson ‘Angry’ at 50-Date O2 Run.” musicradar.com, June 2, 2009 (I).

  Ryan, Harriet. “Jackson Was Scheduled for a Second Physical.” Los Angeles Times, August 7, 2009.

  DILEO/TOHME/ALLGOOD

  Gold, Todd. “Dumped by Michael Jackson, Former Manager Frank Dileo Bounces Back as One of Hollywood’s Goodfellas.” People, October 22, 1990.

  “Jacksons Deny Any Involvement with Planned Jackson 5 Reunion Show in Texas with Brother Michael and Sister Janet.” May 15, 2009 (PR).

  “Michael Jackson’s Mum Remembers Her Son a Year On and Reveals What Life Is Like for His Children.” Daily Mirror, June 20, 2010 (hereafter cited as “Jackson’s Mum Remembers”).

  Yazmeen, “Allocco.”

  PREPARATIONS FOR “THIS IS IT”

  Chmielewski, Dawn C. “Singer’s Last Big Product Push.” Los Angeles Times, July 9, 2009.

  Cooper, Anderson. “Michael Jackson’s Last Days: Jackson’s Nurse Speaks Out.” CNN, June 30, 2009 (RT).

  Hoffman, “Last Days.”

  “I Was Jacko’s Secret Lover.” Woman’s Day, August 14, 2009.

  “Jackson Wanted Victoria Falls Onstage.” contactmusic.com, October 16, 2009 (I).

  Jamieson, Alastair. “Michael Jackson Wants to Ride an Elephant on Stage at His Concerts, Reports Claim.” Daily Telegraph, March 25, 2009.

  Kaufman, Gil. “Michael Jackson’s Last Tour Rehearsals Filed for Possible Release.” mtv.com, June 29, 2009 (I).

  Lang, Brent. “Kenny Ortega Talks About Michael Again.” Wrap, December 2, 2009 (I).

  Lee, Chris. “Michael Jackson: He Was Channeling God.” LATimes.com, October 27, 2009 (I).

  Lee and Ryan. “Deep Pockets.”

  Mason. “Phillips Profile.”

  McLean, Craig. “Kenny Ortega on Michael Jackson’s Final Days.” Times, October 24, 2009 (hereafter cited as McLean, “Ortega”).

  “Do You Want Fries?”

  “Michael Jackson Finally Takes the Stage in D.C. Court.” Legaltimes.typepad.com, June 19, 2009 (I).

  “Michael Jackson in ‘Billion Pound’ Boost to Economy.” metro.co.uk, May 8, 2009 (I).

  “Michael Jackson Shocking End, 1958–2009.” People, July 13, 2009.

  “Michael Jackson Wrapped Secret Film Project 2 Weeks Before He Died.” Associated Press, July 1, 2009.

  Michaels, Sean. “Michael Jackson Comeback Concerts in Jeopardy?” Guardian, May 12, 2009.

  ———. “Michael Jackson Concert Insurer Refuses $17.5 M Payout.” Guardian, June 8, 2011.

  ———. “Michael Jackson Sued for O2 Arena Residency.” Guardian, June 12, 2009.

  Rossen, “Mystery Man.”

  Ryan, Harriet, and Chris Lee. “Michael Jackson Rehearses Near Burbank Airport.” Los Angeles Times, May 12, 2009.

  Van Exel, Raffles. “Dileo.”

  ———. “Interview with Travis Payne.” YouTube, June 27, 2009 (I) (hereafter cited as Van Excel, “Travis Payne”).

  Wiseman, Cassandra. “Tour Set Dies with Michael Jackson.” Topanga Messenger, July 16, 2009.

  DR. CONRAD MURRAY

  Deutsch, Linda. “Jackson Chef Recalls Doctor’s Role, Final Days.” July 29, 2009 (hereafter cited as Deutsch, “Jackson Chef”).

  Harasim, Paul. “Cardiologists Link Hurting Energy Drink.” Las Vegas Journal-Review, July 19, 2009.

  Haynes, Brian. “Michael Jackson’s Doctor Has History of Legal, Financial Woes.” Las Vegas Journal-Review, June 27, 2009.

  DRUGS/PROPOFOL

  Lee, Ken. “Doctor Warned Michael Jackson About Propofol in April.” People, July 31, 2009.

  King, Larry. “Breaking News Investigation into Michael Jackson’s Death.” July 30, 2009 (RT).

  WIKIPEDIA

  “Benzodiazepine.”

  “Diazepam.”

  “Lorazepam.”

  “Midazolam.”

  “Propofol.”

  CHAPTER 23

  Move to the Staples Center to accommodate scale of production: Caswell to USA Today, also, Ortega and Phillips testimony/Murray trial. “Rise to the occasion”: Ortega June 20 e-mail to Phillips. “In this new kind of place”: Phillips to Eric Ditzian/MTV. MJ’s mercurial nature: multiple sources, including This Is It. “Beautiful, beautiful”: Ortega to UPI. Orabona quotes: Orabona to Trey Borzillieri/Huffington Post, which Borzillieri sent me. Thanks, Trey. Other performers “an extension” of MJ: recalled by Orabona, Ortega (in different language), This Is It. Tohme’s visit to Staples Center: Tohme (who showed me the All Access bracelet); Phillips, again on the advice of Marvin Putnam, declined to comment. Tohme-KJ meeting: Tohme, KJ, her advisors, who obviously agree with her version. Dr. Murray “treatment” of MJ June 23: Murray’s June 27, 2009, interview with LAPD detectives Martinez and Smith. June 24 meeting at Staples Center: Ortega and Phillips testimony/Murray trial, Ken Ehrlich to Lee/Ryan/LA Times and Gunderson/Breznican/USA Today, Hoffman/Rolling Stone; all accounts describe MJ as happy and excited, esp. about Dome project. MJ-AEG agreements re. “Ghosts”: AEG lawsuit, referenced at Murray trial. Descriptions of videos: This Is It. “I want people to scream for miles,” description of illusions: Alonzo to Gunderson/USA Today article. MJ complaining of laryngitis, “He looked great . . .”: Alonzo in “Last Rehearsal”/LA Times. “Bioluminescent”: Ortega to Hoffman/Rolling Stone. “Was electric,” “We all looked at each other”: Woodroffe to BBC Radio 4, quoted in Gunderson/USA Today. “It was fantastic”: Phillips to LA Times. “I watched in awe,” “I honestly could not wait”: Mazur to BBC. “The hair on the back of my neck,” “What I saw that night”: Ehrlich in “Last Rehearsal”/LA Times. Orabona: Borzillieri. “He didn’t take a moment,” MJ stopping to look at spiders: Alonzo in “Last Rehearsal.” “Earth Song” performance: Hoffman
, Rolling Stone. Goose bumps: Phillips to LA Times. “When he finished”: Ortega to Hoffman/Rolling Stone. “This is the dream,” “There was this anticipation”: Ortega to Ditzien/MTV. MJ leaving Staples around 12:30: Ortega, Phillips, Travis Payne, others. Ghosts coming through the screen: Ortega to McLean/the Times of London. Walking MJ to car, “He put his arm around me . . .”: Phillips to Hoffman/Rolling Stone. “Ecstatic and excited”: Payne to Van Exel.