Jackson's ex-wife denies giving up kids

Reuters - Wednesday, July 15
By Alex Dobuzinskis

Michael Jackson and ex-wife Debbie Rowe pose for a wedding photo minutes after their wedding ceremony in California in this November 14, 1996 file photo.

LOS ANGELES - An attorney for Michael Jackson's ex-wife Debbie Rowe on Tuesday angrily denied reports that she had agreed to take millions of dollars to give up parental rights to her two children with the King of Pop.

In a letter to the New York Post, attorney Eric George said that Rowe, who was married to Michael Jackson from 1996 to 1999 and is the mother of his two oldest children, "has not and will not" give up her parental rights.

Nor will Rowe, whose attorneys have been in talks with lawyers for Michael Jackson's parents, Katherine and Joe, take any money beyond the spousal support to which she and the singer agreed upon years ago, George's letter states.

In a 2002 will signed by Michael Jackson, he said he had "intentionally omitted" to provide for Rowe.

The New York Post reported on Tuesday that Rowe had agreed to take about $4 million to give up her parental rights to children Prince Michael Jr, 12, and Paris, 11.

George has asked the newspaper to publish a retraction.

In a statement, New York Post editor in chief Col Allan said, "The Post stands by its story."

Katherine Jackson, 79, was granted temporary guardianship of her son's three children on June 29, only days after the "Thriller" singer died.

George's letter states that no agreement has been reached between Rowe and the Jacksons on custody or visitation.

Jackson, who died on June 25 after suffering cardiac arrest at his rented Los Angeles mansion, was the father of a third child named Prince Michael II, 7, but the boy's surrogate mother has never been identified.

Rowe in 2001 sought to give up parental rights to her children, but she later went to court to contest her waiver of those rights and it never went into effect.

A custody hearing on Jackson's three children is set for this coming Monday.

Also on Tuesday, an official from the LA Coroner's office, which is one of several law enforcement agencies investigating Jackson's death, visited the office of Dr. Arnold Klein, the singer's dermatologist, to obtain medical records.

Craig Harvey, a spokesman for the LA Coroner, said results of an autopsy on Jackson will not be released this week or next, as final work is being completed on the case.

Promoter mulls Michael Jackson tribute concert in Britain

The late pop icon Michael Jackson in London in March 2009. The promoter of Jackson's planned comeback concerts in London said Tuesday he was in talks with the late pop star's brothers and sisters about a one-off tribute show.

LONDON (AFP) - - The promoter of Michael Jackson's planned comeback concerts in London said Tuesday he was in talks with the late pop star's brothers and sisters about a one-off tribute show.

The president of promoters AEG Live, Randy Phillips, said he was "confident" of making a decision this week about whether a show would go ahead on Jackson's birthday on August 29.

Jackson had been preparing for a string of sold-out concerts called "This Is It" at London's O2 arena before his sudden death late last month.

"The number one item I'm discussing is presenting "This Is It" the production, hopefully with the Jacksons and maybe Janet, and other artists," Phillips told BBC 6 Music radio station.

"We have to make some hard decisions this week otherwise it will be too late to even contemplate doing anything on (the) 29th," he added.

Phillips said he had also held negotiations with Kenny Ortega, the director of hit movie "High School Musical", who had been directing Jackson's concerts.

"What we're thinking about is one massive tribute that's broadcast around the globe. We've opted to go to broadcast television, either cable/satellite, or traditional broadcast," he said.

Hundreds of fans have gathered outside the O2 Arena in the British capital this week to mark what would have been the start of Jackson's 50 planned concerts.

AEG Live have said they will offer a full refund to all fans who were due to attend. Alternatively, ticket holders can send off for their specially designed tickets to keep as memorabilia.