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Michael Jackson Sued by Spokeswoman Over Concert Fees (Update2)

By Cary O’Reilly

May 6 (Bloomberg) -- Michael Jackson, the pop singer who’s sold more than 750 million records worldwide, refuses to pay his spokeswoman for helping arrange a debt refinancing and concerts that may net him $400 million, she claimed in a lawsuit.

Raymone Bain, who has worked as Jackson’s spokeswoman and publicist since 2003, is entitled to a 10 percent fee for “any agreements” entered into by Jackson that she helped generate, according to the suit filed in federal court in Washington.

Jackson gave Sony Corp. an option to buy half of his 50 percent stake in Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC in 2006, allowing him to refinance about $300 million of loans. He also sanctioned the 25th anniversary release of his “Thriller” album last year and in March announced a series of 10 London concerts backed by Anschutz Entertainment Group to raise money.

“After the refinancing was complete, Mr. Jackson rebuffed all attempts by Ms. Bain to discuss her fee payments” and hasn’t paid her for helping to arrange the concerts, she said in her complaint, filed late yesterday. “Ms. Bain has been directly and actually damaged by Mr. Jackson’s conduct” and should be awarded at least $44 million, she said.

L. Londell McMillan, a Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP attorney in New York who has represented Jackson, did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment.

An auction of some of Jackson’s possessions in Beverly Hills, California, was called off last month after Jackson sued to block the sale of about 2,000 items, including a trademark crystal-covered glove, a 1999 Rolls Royce Silver Seraph and the entry gate to the Neverland Ranch once owned by the singer.

The case is Bain v. Jackson, 09-cv-826, U.S. District Court, District of Columbia (Washington).

To contact the reporter on this story: Cary O’Reilly in Washington at caryoreilly@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: May 6, 2009 17:33 EDT

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