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Promoter Sues Michael Jackson
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AP) _ Michael Jackson’s longtime promoter is suing the singer for $21.2 million, saying he backed out on a plan to ring in the year 2000 twice with concerts on both sides of the international date line.
German-based promoter Marcel Avram filed the lawsuit Friday in Santa Barbara County Superior Court. The suit claims that Jackson agreed to four performances, including two Dec. 31 in Honolulu and Sydney, Australia.
Jackson performed at the first two concerts, the proceeds of which were for charity, but pulled out of the New Year’s Eve shows in October. The suit contends Jackson was paid a $1 million advance and had debts totalling $1.2 million covered.
When Jackson dropped out of the shows, Avram said, he “was left to explain Michael Jackson’s erratic behavior_and to pay all of his bills.”
A Jackson representative could not be reached for comment.