City of Los Angeles sets up Web site for fans to help pay for Jackson memorial

August 1st, 2009 Jackson tribute provides money for LAPD projectLOS ANGELES — The people who staged Michael Jackson's memorial service have donated $90,000 to build a tribute to fallen Los Angeles police officers. Anschutz Entertainment Group, which owns Staples Center in Los Angeles, donated money received from the sale of 18 luxury suites to guests at the July 7 Jackson memorial.

July 21st, 2009 'Criminal aspects' probed in Jackson memorial costLOS ANGELES — Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich says a probe of taxpayer costs tied to Michael Jackson's memorial has "criminal aspects." Trutanich told members of the City Council Tuesday that investigators have interviewed witnesses and gathered evidence, and the probe "raises both civil and criminal aspects." He provided no further details. The financially desperate city has been facing a backlash after spending an estimated $1.4 million for police and other services during the Jackson event earlier this month.

July 8th, 2009 LA could cover costs for Jackson memorial serviceLOS ANGELES — Deficit-ridden Los Angeles may break even on the bill for the cost of police and other public servants on duty for Michael Jackson's memorial service, even though the city asked the singer's fans to help defray the costs, an economist said Tuesday. A Web site was posted Tuesday seeking donations to cover the costs, estimated at between $1.5 million and $4 million, according to Matt Szabo, a spokesman for Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

July 8th, 2009 LA city attorney seeks funds for Jackson memorialLOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles city attorney's office is investigating how the city can legally press third parties to pick up at least some of the costs for Michael Jackson's memorial service at the Staples Center. City attorney spokesman John Franklin said Wednesday that his office aims to have a report ready for the City Council by Friday.

July 7th, 2009 Elephants lumber to Staples before Jackson serviceLOS ANGELES — Hours before a public memorial for Michael Jackson, a herd of elephants were on the march through downtown Los Angeles in a fitting start to a circus-like day. Eleven Asian elephants and seven horses from the Ringling Bros.

July 7th, 2009 Fans gather outside Jackson memorial siteLOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson fans have come from near and far to say goodbye to their pop music hero, some traveling from across the U.S. and Europe for his public memorial in Los Angeles.

July 7th, 2009 Jackson motorcade reaches LA memorial service siteLOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson's golden casket has arrived at Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles for a public memorial service. A hearse carried the flower-draped casket in a motorcade from a private service earlier Tuesday at a cemetery hall in the Hollywood Hills.

July 3rd, 2009 Jackson memorial tentatively set for Tuesday in LALOS ANGELES — An executive with a concert promoter says Michael Jackson's memorial service will be Tuesday at Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles — if that's what his mother wants. Randy Phillips, chief executive for AEG Live, which owns Staples and was Jackson's promoter, says he met Thursday with Jackson's brother Randy.

July 3rd, 2009 Ticket plans announced for Jackson memorial in LALOS ANGELES — Details of next Tuesday's public memorial for Michael Jackson are being released in Los Angeles by the owners of Staples Center. Staples Center boss Tim Leiweke (LY'-wihk-ee) says 17,500 tickets free tickets will be provided.

July 3rd, 2009 LA police plan for huge crowd at Jackson memorialLOS ANGELES — Los Angeles city officials are preparing for massive crowds downtown during Tuesday's public memorial for Michael Jackson at Staples Center. Assistant Police Chief Earl Paysinger says anywhere from a quarter-million to 700,000 people may try to reach the arena, even though a wide area around Staples Center will be sealed off to those without tickets.

July 3rd, 2009 LA braces for horde of Michael Jackson mournersLOS ANGELES — Los Angeles officials are scrambling over the holiday weekend to figure out how to accommodate an expected horde of Michael Jackson fans who will show up for a public memorial service next week. The Jackson family said in a statement that the event has been set for 10 a.m.

July 3rd, 2009 MELBOURNE - Fans wanting to bid their final adieu to late King of Pop Michael Jackson can attend his memorial service free of charge. The Jackson family has confirmed that a memorial service for the late pop icon will take place on Wednesday at the Staples Centre arena in Los Angeles About 11,000 tickets will be distributed free of charge for the event, the family said, through a public relations company engaged to handle the event.

July 3rd, 2009 Jackson memorial set for Tuesday in LALOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson's memorial service has been set for Tuesday at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles. AEG Live, which owns the Staples Center and was Jackson's promoter, called a press conference for Friday at 10 a.m.

July 3rd, 2009 LOS ANGELES - Organisers Friday released the first details of Michael Jackson's public memorial service, confirming that it will take place at the Staples Centre in downtown Los Angeles Tuesday. A total of 17,500 tickets will be available via lottery for fans who register online at Staplescenter.com.

July 2nd, 2009 Person: Officials discuss possible Jackson eventLOS ANGELES — A person with knowledge of the situation says Los Angeles officials are holding closed-door talks about a possible event for Michael Jackson on Tuesday at a downtown arena. The person, who wasn't authorized to speak publicly, said the event would take place at the Staples Center, home of the Los Angeles Lakers.