Big verdict goes against Jackson
- Share via
A Santa Maria jury decided Thursday that Michael Jackson owes a concert promoter $5.3 million for backing out of two concerts planned to celebrate the millennium on New Year’s Eve 1999.
The verdict came in a $21-million breach-of-contract lawsuit filed against the singer by German concert organizer Marcel Avram. Jackson’s attorneys said it was Avram who canceled the shows over concerns they would not be profitable.
The jury deliberated for nearly two weeks. Jackson testified on his behalf in November.
Avram said Jackson had agreed to perform two concerts on Dec. 31, 1999. He would have performed in Sydney, Australia, then flown across the international dateline to Honolulu for another concert, technically within the same calendar day.
Jackson’s attorney, Steve Cochran, did not immediately return a call.
From Associated Press
The biggest entertainment stories
Get our big stories about Hollywood, film, television, music, arts, culture and more right in your inbox as soon as they publish.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
