Verdict Reached In Michael Jackson Case

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (July 14, 2006) — In a split decision, a civil court jury Friday awarded a former Michael Jackson adviser $900,000 — far less than he claimed in the money dispute — and awarded the pop star $200,000 in his cross-complaint against F. Marc Schaffel.

Schaffel originally sued for $3.8 million, but his claims were later reduced to $1.6 million, and his attorney ultimately asked the jury for $1.4 million in unpaid loans and expenses before deliberations began on Thursday.

Jackson’s attorney had said Schaffel owed the pop star $660,000.

Earlier in the day, the jury asked several questions and sought read back of testimony.

In the civil suit, in which only nine of the 12 jurors have to agree on a verdict, one question from the panel was, “Do all 12 have to be accounted for, or can some abstain?”

Superior Court Judge Jacqueline Connor sent the jurors a message that some could abstain from voting.

The jurors also asked if they could award damages significantly different than claimed by the parties in the legal action. They were told they could do so but had to follow jury instructions on the law.

The panel of six men and six women also asked to hear the court reporter read back testimony from Schaffel on how much he claimed was due to him from his business relationship with Jackson.

Schaffel recently sat down with Access Hollywood’s Tony Potts to talk about the case.

“In your lawsuit it does state that (Michael’s) inability to handle his drugs and alcohol would lend him at times to call you in the middle of the night with outrageous demands for cash and money and what have you,” Tony said. “What kind of drugs?”

“Liquor, pills, sleeping pills, Zantac’s pain killers, things along those lines,” Marc told Tony.

“A lot of prescribed drugs?” Tony asked.

“Many, many, prescribed drugs,” Marc said.

“Firsthand knowledge? Cocaine? Any of the hard drugs?” Tony asked.

“No comment,” Marc said.

And as for Michael’s extravagant spending sprees, according to Schaffel, other people often paid the bills.

“Michael obviously shops quite a bit,” Marc told Tony. “Michael likes to do things. Michael doesn’t have access through his normal channels. Michael doesn’t carry credit cards.

“Does he carry cash?” Tony asked.

“He carries cash when somebody gives him cash,” Marc said.