Ex-General Counsel of Jackson Company Files Sexual Bias Suit

The former vice president and general counsel for singer Michael Jackson’s company has filed suit in Los Angeles Superior Court against the entertainer and other executives of the firm for sexual discrimination.

Maureen Doherty alleged in the suit filed Wednesday that Jackson and two other directors of MJJ Enterprises subjected her to “unlawful sex discrimination . . . in that she was so subjected to unsatisfactory and disadvantageous working conditions by reason of her sex.”

Doherty, who worked for the company for about 15 months, was terminated in September 1994.

Jackson wrote to Doherty in a termination letter, “Unfortunately, in keeping with the current plans to restructure my organization and downsize my in-house staff, the decision has been made to eliminate the in-house position of general counsel.”

Neither Jackson nor his attorney could be reached for comment.

Doherty’s attorney, Dan Stormer of Pasadena, said his client never was able to properly do her job because of sexual discrimination.

“Unlike the male executives, who were provided with support staff and secretaries,” Stormer said, “my client was forced to do her own typing, filing and faxing.”