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FBI’s 10-year bid to build Michael Jackson 'molesting' case
Ed Harris23 Dec 2009
The FBI tried for more than a decade to build a case against Michael Jackson over allegations of molesting young boys including having him under surveillance while he was in London, newly-released documents reveal.
Details of the extraordinary efforts made by US authorities emerged in a 333-page FBI file made public under the Freedom of Information.
An FBI special agent travelled to Manila in the Philippines to interview former workers at the singer's Neverland ranch. Officials believed the man and woman had witnessed him molesting boys when they worked at the ranch from 1988 to 1990.
The file states that a legal attache for the US embassy in London was sending back information regarding alleged sexual misconduct by Jackson in England — specifically a phone call to a teenage boy. The FBI file, which dates from 1992 to 1995, was released yesterday, almost six months after Jackson's death at the age of 50.
The FBI's plans to travel the world investigating the singer were made in 1993 — the same year that Jordan Chandler, then 13, accused Jackson of sexual abuse. Jackson settled out of court with Chandler for $22 million.
One document includes notes which state Jackson was riding on a train with a boy he identified as his cousin. The notes said “he was very possessive of boy” and claim a witness on the train “heard questionable noises through wall” at night.
The file also reveals that FBI agents from LA, New York and Miami were secretly involved in the 2005 child molestation case against Jackson. Agents were assigned to assist Santa Barbara county prosecutors in the trial. A jury found him not guilty of all sex abuse charges in 2005.
Tom Mesereau, who was Jackson's lead defence attorney during his trial, said the documents provide further proof the singer did nothing wrong.
“He was not a criminal and he was not a paedophile,” Mr Mesereau said. “The fact that so many agencies investigated him and couldn't find anything proves he was completely innocent.”
Reader views (12)
I am happy that at least haters are now able to read the reality at the end.After all this research nobody was able to prove one single wrong deed to him. I wonder how many people could stand that kind of scrutiny on their lives and come out as completely clean of any wrong doing and yet be the best global star the world has ever seen, be a great dad to his kids and be a great humanitarian when all he got out of fellow humans was insults, lies and intrusion!
- Cindy, Accrington, 28/12/2009 00:24
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I FEEL SO BLESSED TO HAVE BEEN ON EARTH THE SAME TIME AS MICHAEL JACKSON
Sometimes for just a little while God lets one of his Angels come to Earth to sing to us and teach us how to love one another. But then, of course, she calls them back to Heaven ever so much too soon.
One such Angel was Michael Jackson.
When I finally get to Heaven, I'm going to demand front row seats to all of Michael’s Heavenly Concerts.
I WILL LOVE YOU FOREVER, MICHAEL JACKSON
THANKS FOR THE LOVE.
- Cherubim, Nashville, Tennessee, USA, 27/12/2009 17:05
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Yeah...he was tormented his entire life. I pray G-d ease his pain now.
- Whatever, america, 25/12/2009 03:48
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many tried to destroy the reputation of MJ,shame on them..we love his beautiful spirit..we all miss him.rest in peace michael jackson.
- Noor, iraq, 25/12/2009 01:06
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I would also like to say thx for the fair article, ill be sure to visit this site more often. This just confirms what i already knew, the man was innocent!
- Dom, Ireland, 24/12/2009 00:02
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These files show that despite being under observation for such a long time, there was no evidence to suggest the man was anything but an innocent victim of fortune hunters and a sadistic media. God bless him - may he rest in peace.
- Mags, Gwent South Wales, 23/12/2009 16:18
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Thank you for the fair article.It's so rare that such an unbiased article on MJ. This should be the way things go.. but perhaps a bit late..
Thanks, anyway.
- Janica, Spain, 23/12/2009 15:32
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wow im pleasnatly surprised by your fair article...its really rare to hear an unbisaed opinion there should be more journalists like you that just state the facts and let the audience make up their own minds thts true journalism!
And Michael was always innocent!!! 
- Sherry, Keighley,England, 23/12/2009 12:12
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What a waste of public resources to get people to listen thru walls. The evidence would not have been admissable, his catamites were all paid off, and the man is dead. Well done, FBI.
- Neil, People'S Republic Of Europe (Formerly England), London UK, 23/12/2009 12:07
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Michael Jackson was proven innocent in a court of law because all the evidence showed he was not a child abuser.
Thank you to the Evening Standard for writing a fair and impartial article in these newly released FBI files, and not resorting to innuendo or reporting unproven allegations as a fact like The Sun has.
- Ben S, London, 23/12/2009 11:41
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All these documents do is PROVE what we already knew.... and that is that Michael Jackson was totally innocent of all and any charges and false allegations made against him. Michael was, at ALL times, the VICTIM of greed lies and extortion attempts. Sooooo many people helped to destroy this truly genuinely good man. People like Evan Chandler, The Arvizo Scam Gang, Tom Sneddon, AEG, Judas Bashir etc etc. Shame on them ALL. Michael was the victim of a malicious witch-hunt and it's unbelievable what this poor man had to deal with in his short life. Once again I say SHAME on ALL the people who helped destroy his beautiful spirit.
- Janicebyrne, sussex, 23/12/2009 11:38
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Thank you for your fair article. It's a rarity as with everything regarding Michael Jackson.
- Mollygrue, Bremen Germany, 23/12/2009 10:19
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