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WORLD: 'Criminal aspects' raised in Michael Jackson memorial probe
Ben Bailey22 Jul 2009
Investigators in Los Angeles have uncovered possible criminal wrongdoing in the staging of the lavish Michael Jackson memorial.
City attorney Carmen Trutanich told officials that "both civil and criminal aspects" had been raised during his probe into the event.
It comes amid a public backlash over the memorial, with many angered that taxpayers are footing the 1.4 million (£852,000) dollar costs involved.
The total price included almost 50,000 dollars (£30,400) in sandwiches brought in for police manning the event.
Los Angeles Police Department deployed 3,200 officers after estimating that as many as 250,000 people would descend on the Staples Centre where the memorial took place. The prediction was wide of the mark, with only around 1,000 fans turning up without tickets.
Mr Trutanich was brought in to investigate procedures that led to the deployment of so many police members and other city workers.
Speaking to the City Council, the lawyer said: "Our investigation has taken an unanticipated turn that raises both civil and criminal aspects.
He added that he could not reveal the nature of the possible criminal activities, but that the investigation was ongoing.
Mr Trutanich also told council members that he had contacted AEG, the company that owns the Staples Centre, and AEG Live, the subsidiary that was promoting the singer's comeback tour in London.
The city attorney's spokesman said: "That letter is an investigative-type letter. He is asking questions and wanting them to produce certain things.
"His main goal here is to recoup taxpayers' money. When you are dealing with the civil aspect, that's basically it."
The Jackson memorial took place on July 7 in front of 17,500 fans who obtained tickets through a lottery.
Behind a gold-platted casket containing the late singer's body a host of famous names from the entertainment world paid tribute to Jackson's life and music.
