On July 17, several of Michael Jackson's siblings - Rebbie, Tito, Jermaine, Randy, and Janet - sent a bitter and disparaging letter to John Branca and John McClain, the co-executors of Michael's estate, accusing them of taking advantage of the Jackson clan's 82-year-old mother, Katherine Jackson, and completely mismanaging the estate of their "beloved brother." The letter goes on to describe the writing that was admitted to the probate record as Michael's last will and testament as "Fake, Flawed and Fraudulent," and calls for the immediate resignation of the co-executors.
In response to the letter, the co-executors released a statement that denied the allegations, stating: "We are saddened that false and defamatory accusations grounded in stale Internet conspiracy theories are now being made by certain members of Michael's family whom he chose to leave out of his will." Ouch.
Meanwhile, just last week the co-executors filed documents in the probate court matter which indicate that the King of Pop's estate grossed over $475 million through the end of May 2012. At the time of his death Jackson was $500 million in debt, so the court papers indicate that nearly three years after the singer's death, the executors have been able to pay off the bulk of the debt. Of course, all of this was accomplished as the "small army" of attorneys handling the estate paid themselves more than $13.6 million in attorney's fees between May 2010 and November 2011. Maybe this, coupled with the fact that Katherine Jackson, who has been acting as the guardian of the late singer's three minor children, Michael Joseph "Prince" Jackson, Jr., Paris Katherine Michael Jackson, and Prince Michael "Blanket" Jackson II, has asked for an additional $34,700 per month to pay her attorneys and accountants, and an additional $205,041 to cover these fees since 2011, is what really prompted Michael's siblings to write the scathing letter - the siblings may be looking for a part of the action too.
- Read a copy of the siblings' letter: Dear Mr. Branca and Mr. McClain...
- Michael Jackson's Siblings Declare War On Estate Executors: Will Is Called "Fake, Flawed And Fraudulent"
- Michael Jackson Estate Clears MJ's Massive Debt ... Almost
- What Does Michael Jackson's Will Say?
- What Does Michael Jackson's Family Trust Say?
- What Are the Grounds for Contesting a Will?
- King of Pop Worth Far More Dead Than Alive
- Death Becomes Them: Forbes Announces 2010 - 2011 Top Earning Dead Celebrities
- A Collection of Blogs About Michael Jackson's Estate and Family Trust