Paris Jackson is challenging the latest financial accounting filed by the estate of her late father, Michael Jackson, arguing that it lacks details about 18 estate-owned businesses and includes expenses that require further explanation.
In documents obtained by TMZ, Jackson’s legal team objects to the estate’s spending on private jets and to $604,850.09 in credit card and law firm costs described as unspecified. The accounting, submitted by executor John Branca in April, covers 2022.
Her lawyers also question payments for public relations and consulting. They challenge the estate’s payment to Harvard Business School professor James Sebenius, saying his work primarily portrayed Branca as a “legendary” lawyer rather than benefiting the estate. The filing also questions $3,827,520.20 in legal fees and $9,415,074 in executor compensation paid to Branca and the late John McClain.
Jackson’s team further alleges that Branca wasted millions on reshoots for the film “Michael,” on which he served as an executive producer, and says the costs have not been recouped. The filing also questions why more than $440 million was held in low-yield bank accounts and argues that Branca’s compensation structure focuses his interests on gross entertainment revenue.
A representative for the estate rejected the criticism, telling TMZ that Jackson’s lawyers were repeating “hollow complaints” and failing to account for the estate’s structure as an operating business with customary costs. The representative said the estate was $500 million in debt when Michael Jackson died and has since generated $3 billion in revenue, adding that the biopic’s worldwide box office exceeded $1 billion.
Jackson’s lawyers are asking the court to reject the accounting and order the executor to submit a full and accurate replacement. A hearing is scheduled for Dec. 7.
Sources: TMZ.