Michael Jackson’s Legal Woes Lessen with Settlement

Michael Jackson, in the news recently because he was being sued in a UK court by Bahraini sheik claiming that the pop singer owes him $7 million, got some relief Sunday when an out-of-court settlement was reached. As a result, Jackson will not be called upon to testify and give evidence in London’s high court today, something the reclusive and eccentric singer wished to avoid.

According to Jackson’s spokeswoman Celena Aponte, "As Mr. Jackson was about to board his plane to London, he was advised by his legal team to postpone his travels since the parties had concluded a settlement in principle. Therefore, he will not be attending court on Monday." Sheik Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who is the second son of the king of Barhain, had noted in the past that he felt that he had formed "a close personal relationship" with Jackson and sometimes referred to him as "my brother."

Despite that, the nature of their business dealings was apparently misunderstood by Jackson, who has claimed that he was under the impression that the sheik was giving him money and presents as "a gift." Instead, apparently, the sheik was interested in working with Jackson on a recording project and an autobiography, neither of which came to fruition despite the pop singer coming to Bahrain and living lavishly through the good graces of the sheik. Jackson apparently rebuffed the sheik, pulling out of their agreement and leaving Bahrain in 2006, though his lawyers maintained from the start that the items and money Jackson received were a gift.