Michael Jackson Fined For Not Appearing In Court

Judge orders $10,000 fine

Thursday, August 18, 2005

Michael Jackson was fined $10,000 for not appearing or being represented in a New Orleans courtroom. Michael is being sued by Joseph Thomas Bartucci who claims he was sexually assaulted by Michael in 1984, and his memory of the event was repressed until allegations arose in 2003.

Charles Gay, an attorney representing Michael for this case, stated that he did not appear previously as the summons arrived on June 13th - the day Michael was exhonerated of child abuse charges - and was misplaced due the ongoing proceedings of that day according to the Associated Press.

"I would like to point out that June 13 was probably the most anxious day of Michael Jackson's life," Gay said. "That was the day the jury reached the verdict." The Judge acknowledged this, however still ordered the fine.

- Source - MJNI.COM