Paris Jackson is reigniting her feud with the executor of her father’s estate, accusing John Branca of “persistent incompetence” and asking a judge to reject his nearly $110 million fee request for work on the late pop star’s estate from 2023 through 2024. In a new motion filed Friday and obtained by Rolling Stone, Michael Jackson’s only daughter claims Branca missed his own self-selected Sept. 15 deadline to submit complete financial accountings for 2023 and 2024, instead filing documents that were either incomplete or “nothing more than a placeholder.” Despite the alleged deficiencies, she says, Branca sought $109,219,648 in combined compensation for himself, his lawyers, and his late co-executor, John McClain, who died in May at age 71. She wants the reduction applied retroactively to 2003 and kept in place until Branca submits complete and accurate accountings through 2006.
They are paid a separate, court-ordered management fee for operating the hugely successful Michael Jackson business.” Editor’s picks The 250 Greatest Albums of the 21st Century So Far The 100 Best TV Episodes of All Time The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century Michael Jackson was 50 when he died on June 25, 2009, from an accidental overdose of the surgery-strength anesthetic propofol at his rented mansion in Los Angeles. Branca quickly stepped in to manage his affairs, and his lawyers have long credited him with transforming Jackson’s estate from one saddled with more than $500 million in debt into an enterprise valued at roughly $2 billion. Paris’ new motion comes nearly six months after she won a separate legal battle to force three lawyers who worked for her father’s estate to return $625,000 in bonuses authorized by Branca.
In an April 29 ruling, the retired judge, Mitchell Beckloff, found that the estate had failed to demonstrate the payments were “just and reasonable based on the information provided.” “In fact, on the evidence presented, the bonus amounts paid appear arbitrary — what Mr. Branca determined was appropriate,” Beckloff wrote. Branca may, in fact, know better than anyone about the value of legal fees, there must be some specific and detailed factual basis for an order finding fees are just and reasonable.” Trending Stories How Melanie C Learned to Embrace Sporty Spice The Beach Boys Canceled Another Show.
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