Jacko keen to stay out of court for business trial
Michael Jackson's lawyers are desperately trying to keep the King of Pop out of a London court in a new dispute over an alleged business deal gone bad.
Sheikh Abdulla bin Hamad al-Khalifa of Bahrain claims he's owed a $7m (€5.5m) advance on an album and autobiography deal that Jackson never produced.
And, as the case got underway in London on Monday the pop star's legal team is fighting to keep their client from having to face another court saga, four years after his child molestation trial in California.
Lawyers for the singer, who insist the money was given to Jackson was a gift, are seeking permission for their client to testify by a videolink from the United States.
Al-Khalifa's attorney Bankim Thanki told the court that his client had hoped to help Jackson rebuild his career, and spent millions moving the pop superstar, his children and entourage to Bahrain.
Thanki explained, "The cost even included the expenses of bringing out Mr Jackson's hairdresser."
He revealed Jackson stayed in Bahrain as a guest of his client for almost a year after the end of his child molestation trial.
The new trial continues.
