AEG, Michael Jackson estate donate US$1.3 mln to L.A.
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Staples Center owner Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) and the estate of Michael Jackson will donate 1.3 million U.S. dollars to the city of Los Angeles to help cover the costs incurred by the memorial tribute held at the arena last year, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and AEG President & CEO Timothy J. Leiweke announced on Friday.
The sum was paid to cover the police costs and public utilities expenses during the late King of Pop's July 7 memorial tribute held at Staples Center. One million dollars will be given to the city's general fund, while 300,000 dollars in cash and crime fighting equipment will be donated to the Los Angeles Police Foundation.
Mayor Villaraigosa praised the effort, saying "Through the continued good corporate citizenship of AEG and the Michael Jackson Estate, we will be able to promote and support important civic events that hold so much meaning for the people of Los Angeles and bring us together as a city."
The city's chief budget analyst computed that the city incurred 1.3 million dollars in costs for police services, permits, transportation and cleanup during the July 7 Jackson memorial. The city has mobilized 3,000 officers, the largest security effort planned since the 1984 Olympics, to keep order.
AEG has already contributed 90,000 dollars to the Police Foundation which is raised through the sale of suites at the Jackson Tribute, and it will come up with an additional 210,000 dollars of equipment including scanners to be used by police officers patrolling skid row.
"It was important to us that all parties agreed that this was not an obligation but a choice we believed was important to make at a time when thousands of City employees are being reduced," said Leiweke. "We appreciate and thank Mayor Villaraigosa, Jan Perry, Dennis Zine and the rest of the Council for their support which will now allow us to finally put this issue behind us."
The late pop icon died on June 25 at the age of 50 from an overdose of potent sedatives when he was rehearsing for his London concerts. His personal physician Conrad Murray is charged with involuntary manslaughter for his role in his death. If convicted, the cardiologist will possibly face four years behind the bars.
