EXCLUSIVE: Godfather of Michael Jackson’s Kids Says “I’m Not Pushing For Any DNA Tests”
Posted on Sep 24, 2009 @ 02:54PM - 4 comments
Mark Lester, the British godfather of Michael Jackson kids, got caught in the middle of a media firestorm after he told a British newspaper that he had donated sperm to the superstar and that he believed that Paris Jackson was his daughter. The Jackson family lawyer Londell McMillan reacted angrily to the reports, claiming they had no legal standing.
Click here to view the legal documents
Lester spoke to RadarOnline.com exclusively to clear the air and confirms he is still close with the family.
His original shocking claims
“Look, I’m not pushing for any DNA tests. The family has been under enough pressure since Michael died and I just want things to settle down,” he said. “Contrary to reports I was invited to his funeral recently but I couldn’t go for business reasons and hopefully I will be able to fly over at Christmas time and pay my respects privately.”
In fact, he speaks regularly to at least one Jackson family member: “I’m still in touch with Randy Jackson who I have known for a very long time and we both respect one another. To suggest that there is a rift between myself and the Jackson family is just not true.”
Godfather breaks Silence About Jackson's Kids
Lester claims that his comments to the newspaper were “spun a lot.” “It’s true that I donated sperm to Michael but he was those kids father and anything else biologically is immaterial really,” he added.
The birth mother of the two eldest children is former nurse Debbie Rowe, and the youngest, who is known as "Blanket", was conceived by a surrogate whose identity has not yet been revealed.
“The last time I spoke with the family I was told that Michael’s kids were doing really well and that is the most important thing to me,” Lester said. “They are really lovely children and I hope that I can play a part in their lives in the future and they can get to know my own kids too.”
Katherine Jackson Is Free To Contest Will
Posted on Sep 18, 2009 @ 06:30PM - 9 comments
Katherine Jackson will be allowed to contest the executors of Michael Jackson's estate, if she so chooses.
Click here to read the court papers
In a ruling handed down today Judge Mitchell Beckloff decided that if Katherine wishes to challenge decisions made by the will executors, John Branca and John McClain, she can safely do so without jeopardizing her 40% stake in Jackson’s estate.
Click here to read inside details of Jackson’s funeral
Katherine Jackson's attorney, Londell McMillan has previously stated that Michael's mother deserves "a seat at the table."
Story developing......
Court Showdown: Katherine Jackson Tries To Get Control of Michael’s Estate
Posted on Aug 03, 2009 @ 09:01AM - 5 comments
UPDATE: At 12:30 PM EST, La Toya comforted Katherine. The family seemed suprised by Kaplan's remarks and whispered to one another in the front row.
UPDATE: At 12:25 PM EST, Judge Beckloff told Kaplan he must file a separate motion.
UPDATE: At 12:18 PM EST, Mark Vincent Kaplan (famous for being Kevin Federline’s lawyer during his custody battle with Britney Spears), spoke up on behalf of Dr. Arnold Klein protesting any involvement of Joe Jackson with Michael’s children. Kaplan did not comment on Klein being rumored to be the children’s father, but said Klein was worried about them due to his long-time friendship with Michael. He also mentioned Klein's interest in having some say in matters like the children's education.
UPDATE: The women of Michael Jackson’s immediate family just entered the courtroom at 11:57 AM EST. Katherine and his sisters La Toya and Rebbie joined brother Randy. The hearing is expected to begin shortly.
Michael Jackson's mother, Katherine Jackson, will face off in court Monday morning with John Branca and John McClean -- the two men named as executors in the late singer's 2002 will -- over who gets control of the late Thriller singer's estate.
Katherine Jackson's lawyer Londell McMillan, said his client should be named as co-executor of the estate, on the basis that she had been her son's most trusted financial adviser for the past four years.
Michael Jackson's Mom Continues Court Battle With Estate Administrators
Jackson died after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest June 25 in Los Angeles; results of an autopsy conducted on the pop icon have yet to be released.
Katherine Jackson Asks Judge For Money for Michael’s Kids
RadarOnline.com will be in court Monday for the Jackson hearing and will bring you the latest twists in the case as soon as they happen.
EXCLUSIVE: Katherine Jackson Lawyer's Comments Disputed -- Estate Battle Continues
Posted on Jul 27, 2009 @ 05:27PM - 10 comments
Katherine Jackson has not had a role in Michael Jackson's business dealings during the past four years, despite her lawyer saying she did.
That's what a source close to the situation tells RadarOnline.com exclusively about statements made by Londell McMillan on The Today Show Monday.
"The past four years Michael has demanded and required that she (Katherine) had a seat at the table for any of his major business assets," said McMillan, who represents both Katherine and Joe Jackson.
But that statement is refuted by a close source, who says: "There is absolutely no evidence that Katherine played any role in Michael's business dealings. There has been nothing presented in court that Katherine had any role in Michael's 'business assets' as Londell claimed."
McMillan also indicated the estate's administrators "should have been working together" with him to coordinate requests for cash to be doled out to the Jackson family, including Michael's children. But the source says the estate executors, John Branca and John McClain "asked how much Katherine Jackson, and Michael's three children would need for a monthly allowance. The amount that Katherine requested was agreed upon by the executors without any hesitation. The amount is under court seal and has been redacted from court records."
McMillan has been attempting to help Katherine get control of the estate through various court filings. Looks like he's not done.
BREAKING NEWS: Katherine Jackson Files New Court Action To Take Over Michael's Estate
Posted on Jul 22, 2009 @ 02:51PM - 22 comments
Katherine Jackson has formally filed a petition with the court to be appointed as administrator of her son Michael Jackson's estate. She is petitioning under the Independent Administrations Estate Act. Click here to read the court papers
Court papers surfaced Wednesday and were filed in the matter by both Katherine and Joe Jackson, but only Katherine is requesting to be placed in charge of Michael Jackson's estate.
EXCLUSIVE: Jackson Family To Meet With Executor of Michael's Will Today In Bid To Avoid Nasty Court Battle
Posted on Jul 03, 2009 @ 08:55AM - 6 comments
In an effort to avoid a nasty court confrontation, Jackson family members will meet with attorney John Branca on Friday. Branca, a top attorney, is the executor of Michael Jackson's estate, as specified in Michael's will.
As RadarOnline.com reported Thursday, there is great dissension within the Jackson family. Some members want to challenge the will and Branca's role as executor of the estate. Those family members also want greater control of the money for Katherine Jackson, who currently has custody of Michael's children. Other Jackson family members believe Katherine is too fragile for a battle.
Londell McMillan is the attorney representing Joe and Katherine Jackson. He also had represented Michael at one point.
A judge granted Katherine's request for limited control over some of Michael's property. She had expressed concern over his finances and wanted them protected. Katherine requested control over thousands of items from Neverland that were removed and due to be auctioned. A hearing on that matter is set for July 6.
But sources tell RadarOnline.com that some Jackson family members want to challenge Branca's role as executor of the estate. The meeting today is to try and get everyone to agree that Branca should be the executor and avoid a nasty court battle.
