Is Paris losing the case against father Michael Jackson's estate?
What's the story
Paris Jackson, the daughter of late pop icon Michael Jackson, has suffered a setback in her legal battle against her father's estate. A court ruling has partially struck down her petition, leaving her responsible for paying some of the estate's attorneys' fees, reported People on Thursday (US time). The decision was made by Los Angeles Referee Mitchell L. Beckloff, a retired judge acting as a referee, on Monday (November 10), siding with executors John Branca and John McClain.
Legal dispute
What did Jackson allege in her petition?
Jackson's legal filing sought to "compel" the executors to file petitions for orders before authorizing payment to attorneys and reimbursement of costs for the years 2019-2023 within 90 days. The petition also accused the estate of operating with little oversight and indulging in irregular payments, including non-contractual gifts of $1,25,000 and $2,50,000 to counsel.
Ruling details
Court ruling favored the estate's special motion
The court's ruling favored the estate's special motion to strike portions of Jackson's petition. It found that many of her legal claims targeted the estate's own court filings, which are protected under California's anti-SLAPP statute. The ruling dismissed parts of Jackson's filing but left other allegations standing, like those tied to the pace of the estate's filings and whether beneficiaries should be given greater transparency moving forward.
Executors' defense
Branca and McClain defended their management of the estate
Branca and McClain defended their management of the estate, saying they inherited an estate "burdened with hundreds of millions of dollars in debt" and transformed it into "a powerhouse and a force in the music business today." They also alleged that Jackson has "received roughly $65 million" in benefits since her father's death, a detail they used to counter her claims of mismanagement.
Ongoing battle
Jackson's spokesperson said, 'This order does not change the facts'
Despite the setback, a spokesperson for Jackson said in a statement to PEOPLE, "This order is limited to minor procedural issues and does not change the facts: the pattern of behavior displayed by the executors and their attorneys raises significant red flags." The spokesperson added that the 27-year-old model will continue working to ensure her family is treated fairly. "We will be submitting an updated filing shortly."