Michael Jackson's last days will reportedly be resurrected in a Los Angeles court next week as a trial gets underway in a 7-year-old lawsuit filed by his ex-manager looking to claim his commission for burnishing the image of the troubled superstar.
Tohme Tohme, who came into Jackson’s life in 2008 with claims of connections in the Arab world, alleges he provided the necessary "advice, guidance and skillful work" to improve Jackson's image, help his financial situation and put the singer in a position to go on tour, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Tohme alleges the estate of the 50-year-old singer, who died June 25, 2009, owes him a 15 percent commission on compensation Jackson got during his last year – as well as a cut of revenues relating to the concert film “This Is It.” Tohme also wants a finder's fee for getting the loan that prevented the foreclosure on Jackson's Neverland Ranch home, THR reported.
The estate counters Tohme got a $35,000 monthly fee on top of a 15 percent commission, that the contract terminated before Jackson's death – and that he was stealing from Jackson to boot.
The trial, expected to start on Tuesday in LA Superior Court, is being split into two phases, the first dealing with Tohme’s contract, THR reported.
But testimony will heat up in a second phase parsing the relationship between Jackson and Tohme, THR reported. At that time, witnesses expected on the stand will include Jackson's mother, Katherine, his brother Jermaine, top agents and lawyers in the entertainment industry and Thomas Barrack Jr., the President Donald Trump confidant whose Colony Capital spared Jackson from being evicted from Neverland after buying the loan on the property, THR reported.
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