REPORTS: ARREST WARRANT ISSUED FOR MICHAEL JACKSON (via Drudge)

CTV ^ | November 18, 2003

[RWR8189]

Pop star Michael Jackson is again at the centre of a police investigation. About 20 officers searched his California ranch on Tuesday as part of an ongoing but undisclosed criminal investigation. Jackson was not home.

Cable channel Court TV said the investigation stems from allegations of sexual abuse brought by a 12-year-old boy against the 45-year-old Jackson.

Up to 70 investigators from the Santa Barbara County sheriff's and district attorney's offices entered Jackson's sprawling Neverland Ranch outside of Santa Barbara on Tuesday morning. No immediate arrests were made.

Court TV reporter Diane Dimond, who is on the scene, says a source told her that police not only had a search warrant, but an arrest warrant. Dimond told CNN's Larry King that had Jackson been at the ranch, the warrant would have been executed.

Jackson's spokesman, Stuart Backerman, said the singer was not at his ranch but was with his three young children in Las Vegas filming a music video.

"We cannot comment on law enforcement's investigation because we do not yet know what it is about. Michael will, as always, cooperate fully with authorities in any investigation," the Backerman statement said.

Jackson denounced media coverage of the search in a statement released by Backerman to The Associated Press.

"I've seen lawyers who don't represent me and spokespeople who do not know me speaking for me. These characters always seem to surface with dreadful allegations just as another project, an album, a video is being released," the Jackson statement said.

The search came on the same day Epic Records released Number Ones, a greatest hits collection featuring Jackson's new single, One More Chance.

Nine years ago, a 14-year-old reached an out-of-court agreement to settle a lawsuit accusing the singer of molesting him in 1992. No criminal charges were ever brought and Jackson has maintained his innocence.

Police dropped an investigation into the case after the settlement was reached and the boy made it clear that he would not participate in any criminal prosecution of the pop star.

In February, Jackson revealed in a British television documentary that he shared his Neverland bedroom with young boys and made his children wear masks in public.

"Why can't you share your bed? It's the most loving thing to share your bed with somebody," Jackson said.

The frank revelations sparked calls for an investigation by California child welfare authorities at the Neverland ranch, where Jackson has built theme-park style rides, a zoo and a mini railroad track which he throws open to local children.

In June, Jackson settled a $12 million US breach of contract lawsuit by his former top adviser, avoiding a trial that threatened to spill details of his personal life into open court.

Jackson is also connected to Hollywood private eye Anthony Pellicano, who began serving federal prison time Monday for possessing illegal explosives.

Pellicano worked for Jackson, through his legal team, during the 1993-94 police investigation into child abuse accusations.

Pellicano is under investigation on suspicion that he secretly and illegally wiretapped the conversations of celebrities and their lawyers.

\Dimond told the New York Post that she was contacted by the FBI last week. She said agents informed her that her phone was monitored by Pellicano back in 1994, while she was working as a reporter for Hard Copy and covering accusations by a young boy that he was molested by Jackson.

The New York Times reported last weekend that the Pellicano investigation is widening. Managers, actors, businessmen and lawyers are being questioned, and in some cases subpoenaed, by the federal government.

On Nov. 26, CBS is scheduled to air a Jackson special consisting mainly of old concert footage.

[dfwgator]

Will Michael...

A.) Off himself, or
B.) Flee the country?

[RWR8189]

i duped it

delete this thread

[Paul Atreides]

One thing's for sure: altering his appearance isn't an option.

[Burkeman1]

The man is a freak and always has been. I have never been able to understand how such a feminine and weird looking weirdo like Jackson was ever a "sex" symbol to young girls all over the world. Never liked him or his music.

[friendly]

Will the 2 billion (yes, that is 2 billion) pages of material from the Pelican discs will find their way into conspiracy and racketeering charges against pedophile Jackson? Can similar charges against former Pelican employers the Clintons and the DNC be also coming from those same discs?

[zarf]

Suicide watch.

[dfwgator]

I bet he ends up moving to France. He'll fit right in.

[BBell]

He is one weird dude but you can't help but wonder if this is an extortion attempt

[Petronski]

Can similar charges against former Pelican employers the Clintons and the DNC be also coming from those same discs?

No matter what happens, rest tonight assured that the vast majority of Hollywoodlanders are lefties.

[Petronski]

I bet he ends up moving to France. He'll fit right in.

He smells like cheese and prefers geriatric whores?

[friendly]

Rest tonight assured that the vast majority of Hollywood lawyers and their crooked clients soiling their undergarments as the Pellicano investigation unfolds.

[ServesURight]

Never liked him or his music

Jackson's early work are classics, right up to the Bad album in 1987.

After that, it takes a dump.

[zarf]

If he's guilty, a bucket of water would be an effective punishment....

[dfwgator]

And to think back in the early 80s, we all thought Prince was the weirder one out of the two.

[cryptical]

B.) Flee the country?

A few years ago, when he was under investigation and doing a "World Tour", some comedian remarked that he should rename his tour "The Statute of Limitations Tour".

[Walkingfeather]

2 questions...

1. do you think the 14 year old that took the payoff 10 years ago feels any guilt that he kept the door open for another victem for 14 million bucks?

2. What kind of parent would allow their child to spend ANY time with a 45 year old man....Especially Michael Jackson after the first case?

[dagnabbit]

You mean the Door-to-door Jehova's Witness formerly known as Prince?

[Burkeman1]

I was a "Credence Clearwater Revial", "The Who", and a "U2" fan in the 80's. I was a Classic rock listener while in high school. The only 80's band that I think will stand the test of time is U2. Those stupid "hair" bands like "Motley Crew" and "Poison" are monuments to white trash middle America.

[egarvue]

Hey, us Hair Band fans resemble..er..um..resent that remark! I'll have you know that I was distinctly Upper Class White Trash...