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Holly Bailey

Katie Connolly





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Posted Tuesday, July 07, 2009 6:33 PM

LA Officials Irked Over Jackson Costs

Daniel Stone
Michael Jackson's memorial might have brought closure and catharsis today to his thousands of fans in Los Angeles, but the real man looking in the mirror? L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. The cost of producing the event was covered by production company AEG, but securing the Staples Center and the surrounding area fell in the lap of the LAPD. Even though only 11,000 tickets were granted, more than 250,000 people were anticipated in the area (grossly overshot, only about 1,000 ticketless people actually showed), which led city officials to expect the cost of securing the event to hit $4 million, all billed to the city's taxpayers. It has created quite a rift among city council members in L.A.—a city currently with more than a $520 million deficit. Not to mention the state's struggles; California faces a potential shutdown of public services this summer for being so low on cash. "There was never any doubt in the mayor's mind that this event needed to happen," says Matt Szabo, head spokesperson for Villaraigosa. Others thought differently. "Michael was a phenomenal entertainer, but why should the taxpayers of Los Angeles pick up this extremely high tab for security?" L.A. city councilman Dennis Zine, who represents part of the San Fernando Valley, said to Reuters. Responding to concerns, Villaraigosa's office has asked for Jackson's fans to donate on the city's Web site to offset costs. So far, no donation totals have been released.
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Member Comments

Posted By: brydges (July 8, 2009 at 2:01 PM)

Lavish funeral for a pedophile - where are the same organized protests that CEOs who recieved compensation for doing their jobs had to deal with.

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Posted By: Debunked! (July 8, 2009 at 10:33 AM)

Sorry, but NO CITY OR TAXPAYERS should be expected to pay for a lavish funeral ESPECIALLY during a time in which the city has no money!!!

The city officials should have made it crystal clear AND collected money up front from who ever made the arrangements for the service that they were not in a position to pay for security or the service or anything else relating to it!

There were plenty of people who attended the service and participated that had money! The  family or service planners should have seeked donations from MJ's family and friends--------they should have started with collecting some money from that Al Sharpton since he was the most visible person grandstanding (IMO for self interest) since June 24th! (sorry but that man irks the hell out of me!)  

The city need to go after the event planners for payment! It is crazy for the city to ask for donations to help offset the cost! THE PLANNERS OF THE EVENT NEED TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT and the city was crazy for okaying everything without payment arrangements (I would have asked for the money up front from the handlers)!

Dumb move by the city, very dumb move!

What does this say about MJ's family and friends (I hate to go there but it is what it is)--------they plan/participate in a lavish "going home" ceremony for a man that all the participants say they loved and respected yet they stick the city with the damn bill for the service THEY CHOSE to have for him? That's just messed up!

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Posted By: teddyo (July 8, 2009 at 9:35 AM)

After all the money they made on him. The nerve.

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