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."