Katherine Jackson Looses Battle to Subpoena Administrator’s Documents in Michael Jackson’s Estate Case

Michael Jackson’s estate saga continues, and will no doubt remain so for years to come. On Tuesday, July 28th, 2009, Katherine Jackson’s attorney was again in court requesting the court to award his client the power to apply pressure to the administrators of the estate, to reveal information prior to the August 3rd hearing.

The attorney argued for permission to interview both John Branca and John McClain, administrators to the estate, and demand details of business contracts and other documents. They contended that this information was crucial in their preparation for the August 3rd hearing, which will determine the permanent executors of the estate, which is reportedly worth $500 million and growing.

However, Superior Court Judge Mitchell Beckloff deferred the issue until the hearing. At the hearing the court is expected to hear arguments in the case, and will ultimately decide on the permanent executors of the estate. Other issues that the court is expected to resolve are the custody issue, and the issue of allowance for Katherine Jackson and the three Jackson children, Paris, Prince Michael, and Blanket.

At the heart of the battle is Michael Jackson’s 2002 will, which requested the establishment of trust funds for his mother Katherine, his three children, and undisclosed children’s charities. According to the Associated Press (AP), Katherine Jackson’s attorney, L. Londell McMillan, in a written statement wanted to obtain “personal, business, legal information, and documents relating to Michael Jackson, including the Concert Tour deal with AEG. He also reportedly stated that Katherine Jackson is also seeking information relating to life insurance policies, settlements and disputes, including agreements of the temporary special administrators and others with her son. He felt that the administrators were attempting to keep information from his client.

In response, the administrators stated that they were unable to comply with the demands, due to time constraint. They also claim that the AEG contract had confidentiality provisions, but would require Mrs. Jackson to agree to comply with these provisions, before they are released to her. However, no agreement was reached on the issue.

The two camps are at odds how to move forward. The hearing is set to begin on August 3rd 2009, and it will be up to the judge to rule in these cases. Whatever the decision, one thing is sure; it will be challenged, because of the large sums of monies at risk for both camps.