LA city attorney: 'Criminal aspects' involved in probe of Michael Jackson memorial costsJuly 21st, 2009 'Criminal aspects' probed in Jackson memorial costLOS ANGELES — Investigators looking into the chain of events that led City Hall to spend an estimated $1.4 million for police protection and other services at Michael Jackson's memorial have turned up possible criminal wrongdoing, the city attorney said Tuesday. The disclosure two weeks after Jackson's lavish farewell came amid a public backlash over the taxpayer bill, which included more than $48,000 for sandwiches brought in for police from 70 miles away.
Items from Michael Jackson memorial at Motown Museum are buried at Detroit cemeteryJuly 17th, 2009 Mementos of MJ buried at storied Detroit cemeteryDETROIT — Stuffed animals, flowers, letters and other mementos placed outside Detroit's Motown Historical Museum in memory of Michael Jackson have been buried at a high-profile cemetery. Two hearses carried the items Friday morning from the museum to the Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit where they were buried.
LA mayor: City will not ask third parties to pay $1.4 million Michael Jackson memorial tabJuly 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.
LA mayor criticizes staff for Web site seeking donations for Michael Jackson memorial billJuly 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.
LA officials want reports on revenue, expenses stemming from Jackson memorial serviceJuly 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.
Dozens line up at ballpark ahead of Jackson's Ind. hometown memorial celebrationJuly 10th, 2009 Dozens wait for Jackson's Ind. hometown memorialGARY, Ind.
Dozens lined up at ballpark ahead of Jackson's Ind. hometown memorial celebrationJuly 10th, 2009 Dozens line up for Jackson Ind. hometown memorialGARY, Ind.
Mayor: Jackson's father to attend memorial in family's hometown of Gary, Ind.July 9th, 2009 Mayor: Jackson's dad to attend Ind. hometown eventGARY, Ind.
Jackson memorial drew nearly 31 million viewers in United StatesJuly 8th, 2009 Nielsen: 30.9 million watched Jackson memorialNEW YORK — Just under 31 million people in the United States watched the Michael Jackson memorial on television. Nielsen Media Research says that's a smaller audience than for Princess Diana's funeral or President Barack Obama's inauguration — but it's still impressive in today's TV world.
Michael Jackson's public memorial service under way in Los AngelesJuly 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.
City official says city would love Jackson contribution for memorial costs, but hasn't heardJuly 6th, 2009 Los Angeles would 'love' contribution for memorialLOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson's ex-wife Debbie Rowe will attend the pop superstar's memorial service. Former Jackson business associate Marc Schaffel told ABC's "Good Morning America" that Rowe was confirmed for VIP seats.
Drive-through ticket process for Michael Jackson memorial goes smoothly in Los AngelesJuly 6th, 2009 Jackson memorial ticketing goes smoothlyLOS ANGELES — The ticket hand-off for Michael Jackson's public memorial service in Los Angeles has been going smoothly at Dodger Stadium. Winners of an Internet ticket lottery began exchanging vouchers for tickets in a drive-through process Monday in the stadium parking lot.
Neverland draws the curious, but gates to remain closed until after Michael Jackson memorialJuly 4th, 2009 Neverland closes until after LA Jackson memorialLOS OLIVOS, Calif. — Like an old Western boomtown, the makeshift village that sprang up around the gates of Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch was vanishing Friday, with visitors and vendors packing up tents, tarps, posters and CDs.
LA City Hall official: Jackson family considering Los Angeles Coliseum for memorialJuly 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.
Memorial tributes spring up nearly anywhere there's a Michael Jackson fanJuly 2nd, 2009 Tributes to Jackson spring up in unlikely localesPITTSBURGH — Michael Jackson permeated popular culture so thoroughly that people and towns nationwide with no connection to him are holding services in his honor. A funeral director in Pittsburgh's East Liberty neighborhood is holding a memorial service Thursday night and was flooded with reservations.