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Summary Michael Jackson's estate has earned more than $300 million since his death in June 2009.
A legal war erupted Friday over earnings from Michael Jacksons estate with a former manager claiming a 15 percent stake and the singers executors seeking to block any payments to the former adviser.Attorneys for Jacksons estate and Tohme R. Tohme filed dueling cases over the advisers claims that along with Jacksons mother and three children, he is entitled to a sizable share of the singers post-death earnings. The estate has earned more than $300 million since Jacksons June 2009 death.Jacksons estate claims Tohme used undue influence to get Jackson to sign several deals that lined his pockets and that he improperly gave away some of the singers property. The contracts involved a refinancing of Jacksons debt related to Neverland Ranch and a producers fee that Tohme negotiated for himself for Jacksons series of planned comeback concerts in London.Tohmes lawsuit, filed in Santa Monica, California, claims he was influential in reviving Jacksons career after he was acquitted of child molestation charges. His lawsuit states he worked diligently to create a financial and career strategy that would provide stability for Michael Jackson and his children.Estate attorney Howard Weitzman wrote in a statement released Friday morning that he expected Tohme to file suit and that the estate was asking a probate judge to block the former advisers claims.We believe the facts will show that Mr. Tohmes claims are meritless and that Mr. Tohme engaged in wrongdoing with respect to Michael Jackson starting early in their relationship, Weitzman wrote.Tohme served as Jacksons manager from January 2008 until March 2009. His suit claims he was instrumental in getting the singer to move to Los Angeles to prepare for a career comeback and was key to the singer signing an agreement with AEG Live for a series of comeback concerts in London dubbed This Is It.Rehearsal footage was turned into a film of the same name, and Tohme was credited in the picture as Jacksons personal adviser.Jacksons estate however contends that Tohme has improperly retained Jacksons property and financial records and forced the singer to sign unconscionable contracts. One of the deals, which dealt with the refinancing of debt on Neverland Ranch, called for Tohme to receive $2.3 million. Tohme also negotiated a producers fee of $100,000 a month for the This Is It shows planned in London, although Jackson died before the concert series began.
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