City official says city would love Jackson contribution for memorial costs, but hasn’t heard

August 14th, 2009 Gary, Ind. paid airfare for Jackson's fatherGARY, Ind. — The mayor of Gary, Ind., said Friday his cash-strapped city paid $5,000 to fly Michael Jackson's father and seven other people out from Los Angeles to attend a July memorial for his son in the pop star's hometown.

July 29th, 2009 LA city attorney seeks documents in Jackson probeLOS ANGELES — A spokesman says the Los Angeles city attorney has been requesting documents and conducting interviews as part of an investigation into the city's role in Michael Jackson's lavish memorial. Spokesman John Franklin said Wednesday there is no timetable to conclude the probe examining civil and criminal issues.

July 14th, 2009 LA mayor: City will pay costs from Jackson eventLOS ANGELES — Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is trying to quell the escalating debate over who should pick up the estimated $1.4 million tab for police, traffic control and other services related to Michael Jackson's memorial service. Villaraigosa, who was vacationing in South Africa a week ago when more than 17,000 fans flocked to downtown Los Angeles to watch the public memorial, asserted Monday that the city will pay.

July 13th, 2009 LA mayor: City should cover Jackson memorial costsLOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (vee-yah-ry-GOH'-sah) has criticized his staff for setting up a Web site seeking donations to cover the city's cost from the Michael Jackson memorial. Villaraigosa says the city is responsible for protecting public safety and should pick up the $1.4 million tab for police overtime and other services from the event last week at Staples Center.

July 10th, 2009 Dozens wait for Jackson's Ind. hometown memorialGARY, Ind.

July 10th, 2009 Dozens line up for Jackson Ind. hometown memorialGARY, Ind.

July 10th, 2009 LA wants reports on Jackson memorial cost, revenueLOS ANGELES — The financial fallout from the Michael Jackson memorial service continues, with Los Angeles city officials calling for reviews on who should pick up the tab for municipal services related to the event. Councilman Dennis Zine said Friday he wants a report on how much the city spent on police overtime, sanitation and traffic control for the service, which was attended by some 17,000 fans at the Staples Center on Tuesday.

July 10th, 2009 LA official: Promoter should pay Jackson memorialLOS ANGELES — A city council member has called on AEG Live to pay some of the estimated $1.4 million cost for policing Michael Jackson's memorial service at the Staples Center. Dennis Zine told Fox 11 on Thursday that the city's taxpayers "are getting ripped off" because the owner-operator of the Staples Center profited by charging media up to $50,000 to use risers outside the venue.

July 9th, 2009 LA seeks donations to pay for Jackson memorial tabLOS ANGELES — As the final cost of Michael Jackson's memorial service was being calculated, city officials cast about Wednesday to find ways to have others help pick up the multimillion-dollar bill. City attorney Carmen Trutanich said his office was investigating how the financially troubled city can legally press third parties to pick up at least some of the tab, which could total as much as $4 million for police overtime and other services.

July 9th, 2009 LA seeks ways to pass on cost for Jackson memorialLOS ANGELES — As the final cost of Michael Jackson's memorial service was being calculated, city officials cast about Wednesday to find ways to have others help pick up the multimillion-dollar bill. City attorney Carmen Trutanich said his office was investigating how the financially troubled city can legally press third parties to pick up at least some of the tab, which could total as much as $4 million for police overtime and other services.

July 7th, 2009 Jackson memorial service under wayLOS ANGELES — A public memorial service for Michael Jackson has begun in downtown Los Angeles. Smokey Robinson opened the memorial Tuesday morning in the Staples Center arena by reading comments from Jackson friends.

July 6th, 2009 Al Sharpton calls for 'love vigils' for JacksonLOS ANGELES — The Rev. Al Sharpton has delivered a sermon in Los Angeles where he called for nationwide "love vigils" for Michael Jackson on Tuesday.

July 4th, 2009 More than 1 million seek tix for Jackson memorialLOS ANGELES — More than 1.2 million people have now registered to get tickets for Michael Jackson's memorial service next week. Only 11,000 tickets will be given out for the Tuesday service at Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles.

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, even though only 17,500 tickets are being offered to the public. 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 2nd, 2009 AP source: Jackson kin considering LA ColiseumLOS ANGELES — One site under consideration for a public Michael Jackson memorial is the Los Angeles Coliseum, where the Los Angeles Lakers held their championship celebration last month. A City Hall official not authorized to speak publicly says representatives for the Jackson family have inquired about using the site.