LA City Hall official: Jackson family considering Los Angeles Coliseum for memorial

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 16th, 2009 LA mayor at center of Jackson donation flapLOS ANGELES — Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was not in the country on the day of Michael Jackson's memorial service, but his grinning face popped up on his Twitter site with a message urging fans to help the financially desperate city pay the tab for police and services. "Help LA give Michael the safe and orderly send-off he deserves," said a tweet in his name.

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 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 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 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 6th, 2009 Movie theaters to show Jackson memorial serviceLOS ANGELES — Only a small number of fans will be able to attend Michael Jackson's memorial service. But others may be able to watch it in movie theaters all over the country.

July 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.

July 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.

July 5th, 2009 Jackson family plans private event at LA cemeteryLOS ANGELES — Los Angeles police say Michael Jackson's family is planning a private ceremony at a cemetery in the Hollywood Hills. Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell said Sunday that his department is working with the Jackson family on a "private family function" at the Forest Lawn cemetery.

July 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.

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 Jackson event could be held at L.A. Staples CenterLOS 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.