Michael Jackson's Attorneys Accuse Companies of Charity Scam

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -

Attorneys for Michael Jackson sued two California charities on Tuesday, accusing them of scamming the dead singer's fans by using his name and catchphrases to solicit funds. The Heal the World Foundation and affiliated corporation United Fleet pretend to have a legitimate charity tied to Jackson, but they had no relationship to him or his family, the administrators of Jackson's estate said.

They have used "King of Pop" and "Heal the World," two phrases associated with Jackson, to fool the public into thinking they are working for his causes, and have taken advantage of his death on June 25 to further their ends, the administrators said.

A representative of Heal the World Foundation could not immediately be reached for comment, but the group defines itself on its website as a "universal charity organization designed to improve the conditions of all mankind."

Michael Jackson's GLOVE Auctioned in Australia

AP, Sep 6, 2009 3:47 am PDT

A bejeweled white glove Michael Jackson tossed to an Australian fan more than a decade ago sold at auction Sunday for 57,600 Australian dollars ($48,400), almost twice the estimated selling price.

Warwick Stone, a buyer for the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, beat out five other bidders for the late King of Pop's glove, said Charlotte Stanes, spokeswoman for the Melbourne auction house Bonhams and Goodman. The estimated selling price before the auction was AU$30,000.

"We are very happy with the result," Stanes said. "It's the first glove we know about in Australia.Bonhams and Goodman said it was the first auction of a Michael Jackson glove since his death on June 25 this year at age 50.Jackson visited Australia in 1996 as part of his HIStory world tour. While in Sydney, he attended the Australian premiere for the film "Ghosts," in which he had a starring role. At the end of the screening, he tossed the glove at audience member Bill Hibble, who has since died, said national head of collectables Giles Moon.