Jackson loses, or fires, attorney

For the second time in a year, a law firm representing Michael Jackson has parted company with the pop star, saying it hasn’t been paid and can’t get Jackson on the phone.

A federal judge in Manhattan on Monday gave attorneys at Wachtel & Masyr permission to withdraw from a case in which a financial company claims the singer owes it $48 million.

Attorney William Wachtel said he had dealt with the singer through one intermediary after another, only to be informed that they were quitting or had been fired. A letter from Jackson to the law firm, dated July 17, said the singer had fired Wachtel.

U.S. District Judge Kevin Castel said Jackson must hire a new lawyer by Sept. 5 or appear in court himself.