Michael Jackson's death: Joe Jackson said he and wife have sole authority to act on Michael's behalf

Michael Jackson's father said in a statement Sunday evening that he and his wife Katherine had the sole personal and legal authority to act on behalf of "our son and his children."

Joe Jackson's publicist read the statement as she stood next to the family patriarch during a red carpet interview with CNN as he arrived at the Black Entertainment Television awards at the Shrine auditorium in Los Angeles.

He made clear that other than the family's newly hired attorney, L. Londell McMillan, no one was authorized to speak on behalf of the family.

"Our beloved son Michael Jackson loved you all. Michael's children are our first priority. We will have further announcements to discuss our plans going forward," the statement said.

"Until such time, however, we have the personal and legal authority to act, and solely Katherine and I have authority for our son and his children. We wish to handle his memory and legacy with dignity," the statement read. "The attorney for the Jacksons is L. Londell McMillan and no one has the authority to speak on behalf of the Jackson family at this time."

Joe Jackson declined to discuss the specific circumstances surrounding his son's sudden death last week at age 50 but said he had concerns.

“I can’t get into that,” Jackson said. “But I don’t like what happened.”

He said that funeral arrangements are still not finalized but that the family would release information later.

He said the family was handling things as well as possible under the circumstances.

"It has been really tough. Remember we just lost the biggest superstar in the world, so it's been tough," Jackson said.

Asked if the world recognized his son's legacy, Joe Jackson told CNN: “They seem to realize it now. I wish the world had recognized him when he were living.... But right now he’s bigger than ever right now. I wish he were here to see all this, to hear all this.”

--Andrew Blankstein

 

Comments

[Doug]

My main concern are MJ's three children. Joe Jackson does not have a good record of looking out for the needs of children.

[Reuben Camara]

WHY the sudden interest from the Jackson family?

Money?

[Terry E.]

I believe Joe Jackson is stil the selfish person he is and will always be... He doesn't care at all about Michael, just the business aspects.
RIP Michael...you were the talented one

[Rob]

Money-sucking father! How can he take care of MJ's children if he's only interested in his assets??? You didn't lose "the biggest superstar in the world", you lost YOUR SON, YOU MORON! You and Katherine should be ashamed of yourselves for sucking the life and money out of Michael! You didn't deserve Michael, and I really do hope that you don't get to lay one finger in his money! I hope the kids stay with their nanny, who cared for them in ways that u never did for your children.

This whole family is rotten, and I'm very sorry Michael had to be a part of it.

[Nick]

Michael was the icon and king of all music he had pop hip hop everything he tried and did make it so spectacular like nothing else he blew my mind away with rock with you thriller and beat it

[frieda]

the dad says "we just lost the biggest superstar in the world"? how about "we lost our beloved son" instead? makes it seem like MJ was the meal ticket for the family.

[liz]

pretty sure the white gold digger will beat you.

[Valene]

Why didn't Joe acknowledge grief associated with the loss of a son anywhere in his comments? Why was he at an awards show dancing days after his son died unexpectedly. My god, his son hasn't even been buried. It's all about the money of the estate. I guess that is what he was establishing, that he and Katherine will control the money. What a creep.

[John C. Ochran]

What I always liked about Joe is that he had less shame than me.

[debra.hamner@sbcglobal.net]

Jackson Family:
I almost lost my 14 yr old daughter two yrs ago in a car accident. My daughter was in a coma for some time. I just watched BET and heard Janet's talk about her brother. Being very close to loosing a child I do understand the pain. I only wish "WE" the public did not buy all the smut, and lies. I cannot imagine your family, and his children watching whats on TV. Without fact news is so willing to find everything bad to talk about, they seem to like that more than the good. I only wish the Jackson family could stop the slander.
I understand your family has been in the press all your lives, however the press was so damaging to your son, brother, and father. In his music he tried to tell his story, still all the press could print is lies.
I believe the best thing Michael did for his children was covering their faces in public. I believe he tried really hard to allow them privacy. Without the public knowing what they look like they have a chance of life in the public.
I pray for your family and hope you can find the strength to tell the public the truth so the media can stop making it all up !

[P.Pineault]

boy....I knew that the father, Joe Jackson was unscrupulous in the past and though I thought there were certain to be squabbles over Michael's estate, he really showed his true colors tonight. I find it reprehensible that his poor son isn't even in the ground yet and he's already trying to profit from the tragedy. Shame on Joe Jackson. I hope the rest of his family put's Michael's legacy first.

[Katie]

Why should he get custody of Michael's children when he abused his own children?

[corinthia rankin]

am missing him my prayers go out to the jackson family i love all of you..

[Dave from Tampa Bay]

Watched the CNN interview and Joe Jackson seemed more interested in promoting what HE is doing than in honoring his own sons legacy as a entertainer. I just didn't quite see how the dude in the white hat , who seemed to be selling something, fit in at such a sensitive time. Mr Jackson just seemed like more of a promoter than a grieving father. It is no wonder MIchael had "father" issues throughout his life as dad seems to be one cold hearted man, in my opinion.

[PurpleTentacle]

Leave it to Joe to try to run his deceased son's empire and steal his children.

Money grubbing old monster needs to stay away from MJ's kids.

[OC CPA Dude]

"Asked if the world recognized his son's legacy, Joe Jackson told CNN: 'They seem to realize it now. I wish the world had recognized him when he were living.... But right now he’s bigger than ever right now. I wish he were here to see all this, to hear all this.'"

I always loved his music and always defended his talent and impact on the music industry to his doubters. It is nice to see that so many people now recognize his amazing talent. He will be missed.

[kyraann may-haynes]

Black Parents like the Jacksons love their children beyond the understanding of people that have never had parents to struggle to make them be all that they can be. If they get money from it, THEN MAY GOD GRANT THEM THAT! iT IS HARD TO KEEP CHILDREN ON TRACK FOR SUCCESS AND FOR PARENTS WHO CARE, THERE IS NO REST.

[aw]

Watching Joe Jackson on BET tonight was just tragic and made me sick to my stomach. He also seemed to dissapear from the Awards - so hopefully someone took him out of there so they could do a tribute without his acting like he had not just lost his son.

I felt very sad for Janet as she brought respect back - but was obviously dealing with more than she should.

[Robert Walcott]

http://www.blueribbonpress.net/Michael.htm

"After Monterey" is a Michael Jackson tribute album

[victoria]

Let's see. Son isn't buried yet but Joe is on the red carpet. Need I say more? Thought not.

[Mark Green - England]

I don't believe thet Joe Jackson will act in the best interests of the MJ estate or his children. I would think that Jermaine Jackson would be a far better person to manage MJ's affairs.

Jermaine was on a reality tv show here in England and really came across as a genuine sincere man with a big heart.

Mark Green

London, UK

[Tammy]

It is a shame that Joe is only worried about Michael's fame and his personal affairs. I did not see any grief in his face or his families face. It is common knowledge that Michael's family had been living off of his fame for years. Joe let him R I P! Maybe you should have not pushed as hard as you did, all natural great talent will come around it may take a little longer but it does come around! Now Michael can have his play time he wanted! It is shame that its all about money to you Joe.

[Chunder Down Under Melbourne Australia]

When you have spent money all your life raising 7 or so kids and something happens to one of them later you have every right to step back in and help sort it out. So what if Joe Jackson gets something out of it? On average we all spend something like $250K per child to get them through to their 21st birthday, most of which never pay anything back. Good on you Joe for keeping all the leeches out. You made Michael Jackson no doubt one night through a bit of fun. You deserve to get something back for your hard work to if not all of it.

[Molly]

Watch the full clip of his comments on you tube: search joe jackson BET 2009. He is a MONSTER. All he cares about is money. All the family cares about is Michael's money. Why didn't they SAVE HIM? They KNEW he was addicted to prescription drugs. I pray a will surfaces or someone steps in, and the kids get sent back to Debbie or someone else who might actually care about them. Elizabeth Taylor would be GREAT. She actually loved Michael (you tube clip from mid 1990s shows her giving a public speech about MJ's addiction to prescription drugs and her efforts to protect his privacy AND help him.) She's a TRUE friend.

[Nilesh Dayma]

Is there any law which makes a trusty to MJ's mother to care his children till their matuare & give all financial rights to his children at the matuarity age.

[E]

The quote below sums it up for me. It hasn't been tough for Joe because he lost a son, but because "we just lost the biggest superstar in the World." Some people never change.

"It has been really tough. Remember we just lost the biggest superstar in the world, so it's been tough," Jackson said.

[Bow]

All this TERRIBLE man cares about was and still is Michaels net worth. He rode Michaels' back all the way to the bank for years and now he wants to milk as much out of his death as he can get. Joe Jackson was an AWFUL parent to Michael and his siblings and now the best performer to walk this earth is gone and I BLAME JOE JACKSON for destroying this beautiful persons childhood. SHAME ON YOU BOTH JOE & KATHERINE JACKSON. Katherine, you were his MOTHER,,, you should have PROTECTED your kids from this MONSTER OF A SO-CALLED FATHER they had. Where YOU thirsty for money just as bad as Joe?!?!? SHAME ON YOU GOLD-DIGGING TWO PEOPLE. I guess it is true what they say.... MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL!!

[Tony]

Joe Jackson used to beat the hell out of Michael and his siblings. Now he wants Michael to be treated with dignity! He never treated his own son with dignity. Michael became a psychotic recluse, who did some bad things, and just because he was a great entertainer, does not mean the press should treat him as he never did anything wrong. Michael had plenty of demons[thanks partially to his father], after the release of Thriller, he grossly disfigured himself with plastic surgery, had women bore him children with donor sperm that wasn't even his, and worst of all, he was a suspected child molester, in which he paid a family to basically drop charges to the tune of over 20 MILLION. For all his talent, he was very sick, and I believe he had a death wish to finally end his misery of debt, drugs and most of all acute depression and lonliness. Rest in peace Michael, your suffering is finally over.

[Kyle]

Joe Jackson is an alright man. He and Michael had there ups and downs like every other father and son, but in the end they truly loved one another. Michael always respected Joe and gave him the credit that he diserved and vise verse. Every child at that time and in that neighbor hood was disciplined with belts or with, switches in that era (1960's) Plus Michael himself never was physicaly beat by Joe because "you can't catch him, he's fast as a rabbit" JOE Jackson and then out of Michael's own mounth "Never me but my brothers,Oh he would realy get them " Michael Jackson. So we should love Joe Jackson and all the Jackson family as we would love our beloved Michael may he rest in Peace.

[writer]

"The world didn't recognize him when he was living."

Joe, you abusive leech. 750 million records sold, hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars, millions upon millions of adoring fans all over the world, and the world didn't recognize him when he was living? Oh no, the world recognized him, just not YOU. Geesh, from cradle to the grave, Joe. What's horrible is that his family and the black community is defending and protecting this man. At the BET awards, he looked like he was happy to finally be receiving the praise and accolades that he feels he deserved. Sure, he worked like mad to make them stars, and you have to admire his never ending persistence and never give up attitude - but at what price?

[carolyn55]

Joe Jackson and his wife are too old to be raising anyone's kids, and that is the bottom line.

[Linda]

THIS SAYS IT ALL:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jackson

Jackson said that he was physically and emotionally abused by his father from a young age, enduring incessant rehearsals, whippings and name-calling. However, he also credited his father's strict discipline as playing a large part in his success. In one altercation — later recalled by Marlon Jackson — Joseph held Michael upside down by one leg and "pummeled him over and over again with his hand, hitting him on his back and buttocks". Joseph would also trip or push his male children into walls. One night while Jackson was asleep, Joseph climbed into his room through the bedroom window. Wearing a fright mask, he entered the room screaming and shouting. Joseph said he wanted to teach his children not to leave the window open when they went to sleep. For years afterwards, Jackson said he suffered nightmares about being kidnapped from his bedroom. In 2003, Joseph admitted to the BBC that he had whipped Jackson as a child.

Jackson first spoke openly about his childhood abuse in a 1993 interview with Oprah Winfrey. He said that during his childhood he often cried from loneliness and would sometimes start to vomit upon seeing his father. In Jackson's other high profile interview, Living with Michael Jackson, the singer covered his face with his hand and began crying when talking about his childhood abuse. Jackson recalled that Joseph sat in a chair with a belt in his hand as he and his siblings rehearsed and that "if you didn't do it the right way, he would tear you up, really get you".

[Lee Hall]

Michael's innocent children being in the legal custody of their grandparents? Ludicrous! After hearing Michael tell how his father beat and abused him and his siblings while mother kept still about it ~ those two should be kept as far away from those babies as possible. Once again, it is all about money.

[The truth]

I am quite certain that Joe Jackson is the last person Michael wanted his children with and there will be a public outrage if that happens. Joe Jackson wants all the rights to his son's songs, money, properties, all the fortune that could be made and can be made after Michael's death. He will not be a loving grandfather for those children because he never was a loving or caring father for Michael and his siblings.

JOE JACKSON IS AS BAD AS SELENA'S FATHER. They didn't love their children just the money that they made!!!

[LaShawn]

Ok, some of ya'll are crazy. 1) MJ had a gargantuan amount of fans, true, but Jo was right when he said he was appreciated this much when he was living. Now I see and hear sooo many people honoring MJ the way he should have been honored when he was alive. Some of the people I hear honoring him now are the same ones that couldnt wait to joke on him instead of support him through some of his torrid times. I know MJ did some crazy stuff but everybody is very willing to just believe everything they hear because Michaels demeanor, voice "suggest" that he would be that type of person. Not many were willing to actually listen to the facts and really sort out the truth. This along with Jo Jacksons treatment contributed to some of Michaels craze. And as far as Jo Jackson goes. The way he did the kids when they were growing up was so wrong. But MJ loved his father despite that. So if MJ, the one that was done wrong, can forgive and love his father then why cant we forgive and stop judging him on his past. We dont live with Jo, he might have learned from past mistakes. Despite his past I never thought he didnt love his children. Stop focusing on all the negative when it comes to Michael. He did a multitude of good too.

[Barbara]

Joe Jackson was always been about the money and fame. He insisted Michael be what he could never be. I think none of the Jackson kids should even talk to him. He is to blame for Micheal's loneness and sadness throughout his life. Money and fame did not make him happy. Joe Jackson you are one sad excuse of a father. Even now your asking about the money that Michael's estate will bring in. How do you face yourself in the mirror.

[Robert Walcott]

"After Montery" is a tribute to Michael Jackson.

http://www.blueribbonpress.net/Michael.htm

[mycatalbert]

Whoever posted that Joe Jackson is an "alright man" and said that he never physically abused Michael because "you can't catch him, he's quick as a rabbit" is an idiot of the highest order. An "alright man"? Are you serious? Even if any part of that statement is true, can you imagine having to run for your life from your own father? You are a moron.

[rather not say]

I am sorry to see Michael him go. We should all realize that being rich doesn't necessarily bring happiness - maybe unhappiness. (J.P. Getty)

Maybe we'll see him in the resurrection. After all, the wages sin pays is death.

I never knew Michael - but I have shared your experience with my children. Keep seeking first the Kingdom......

Beautiful voice, may he rest in peace until that DAY!

[Uncontainable Spirit]

For those speaking ill of Joe Jackson. Let me add a bit of perspective. I have no idea how many of you are men nor how many of you are black so i'll go with the assumption that none of you are and take it from there. Joe Jackson was born in the 20's. Let me repeat that. He was BORN in the 1920's. It wasn't called the Great Depression back then... it was called 'life'. This man was not only born in the 20's but he was born in Arkansas. Yeah that sounds quaint but Arkansas is right above Louisiana. So he was born in the Deep South in the 20's. He is old school. The way you kept kids in line in the Deep South in the 20's and 30's so that they wouldn't be hanged is to whip them. The way you ensured that your child's life wasn't in danger in the deep south in the 20's and 30's was to whip them. Period. I know some of you don't believe that there was life before 1970 but there was and Joseph Jackson was born in and raised in an environment that is completely foreign to the vast majority of us. He was born in Arkansas (rough place if you were a black boy or man), moved to Oakland CA at 12 (again, rough place if you were a black boy or man and then to Indiana (his mindset was already cemented by this time)

Joseph Jackson was the father of 9 kids. Let me repeat that. 9 kids... not just 9 kids but 9 black kids (I know I know there is no such thing as racism and all kids are treated equally especially kids like Emmett Till who was murdered by the way in Mississippi which is incidentally one state diagonal and to the right of Arkansas… just thought I’d throw that in there) but 9 black kids in Gary, Indiana. A little about Gary Indiana; Gary Indiana was and still is poor. The economic demands of World War II revived the steel industry and pulled Gary out of the Depression BUT Wartime consensus shattered in late 1940’s (when Joseph was there) and after. Racial segregation and strife, labor problems in steel, industrial pollution, and political corruption (which had been persistent since the 1920s) earned Gary a national reputation as a troubled town. Let me repeat that. Racial segregation and strife, labor problems in steel, industrial pollution, and political earned Gary a national reputation as a troubled town. Now you’re in a town that is nationally recognized as ‘troubled’ and you have 9 little black kids and you need to keep them in line what do you do if you’re a black man from the deep south in raised in the 20’s and 30’s? You whip them.

It’s really sad that some of you all really think that this man is an abuser when in reality this man is a father. He is the type of father that a society that needs men produces. He is being vilified for doing what he was supposed to do. He was THERE. He provided for his kids. None of them were pregnant or got anyone else pregnant as teenagers, you don’t hear about any of them doing drugs as teenagers you don’t hear about any of them getting into trouble as kids because he did his job as a father and that is to provide for those kids. In fact he worked 2 jobs so that the wife that he loved, the woman that he married, the woman that everyone is fawning over (I think that Katherine is a wonderful woman as well don’t get it twisted) wouldn’t have to work at all and raise those children. He did what ALL fathers are supposed to do. He took care of his family by the sweat of his brow and took care of his wife so that she could stay home and raise their kids. Period.

Here is a bit about Success that some may not realize. Success isn’t easy. If it was easy everyone would be successful. Success takes hard work and dedication. Success takes hours practicing and hours learning your trade. Success takes working 2 jobs to afford to instill in your children the dream that you envision for them (which is what your daddy is supposed to do) and making sure that they have the tools to achieve that dream. Success means driving your family to and from gigs with all of your equipment in a van. Success means making sure that your kids practiced even when they didn’t want to practice. Success means begging people to give the kids that you love a shot so that they can reach the dreams that you have for them. There would be no Michael Jackson or Janet Jackson or Jackson 5 of any of that without Joseph Jackson. Joseph Jackson MADE the Jackson 5. He taught then to play instruments. He taught them to dance and how to work the stage. The ENTIRE clan is where they are today because of the vision of Joe Jackson ALONE! Back in Gary, Ind., after discovering his kids' talents, he quit his job at the steel mill, spent his whole life savings on the best musical instruments he could buy. His wife was very upset, but he told her, "Don't worry; we are going to make it". With no other source of income, other than a few club performances, he knew he had to succeed. Many forget that Gary, Ind. is one of the poorest cities in the whole country. To raise nine black kids out of poverty to super stardom with class is worthy of respect. Katherine married him and she never said the he abused his children. Whipping a child with a switch or a belt is not abuse. Some of the people in this generation should try it so that we can maybe not see kids beating up their parents on television. But again, that would require that there be actual men who are interested in being real fathers to their kids and actual women who support those men in raising a family.

Like I said, Joseph Jackson is old school. He’s tough. He is a child of the depression. To judge how and where he grieves is wrong and pompous. Walk a mile in his shoes then tell me if you want the media, who you’ve seen over and over again try to tear your son down, in your face asking you to reveal your thoughts about your son. He is a man that feels that it is up to him to be the man. He did that all his life. When Michael Jackson collapsed at 11:30 a.m. June 25th, the security guard's first instinct was to call Joe in Las Vegas to find out what to do. HIS FIRST INSTINCT WAS TO CALL THE MAN THAT YOU ALL ARE CALLING A MONSTER! Joe screamed into the phone, "Get yourself together and call 911, now now now !!!" That was him in action, no emotion. Why would Joe be the first one to call if he was such a monster? Why would people who aren’t even in the family call Joe? Ask yourself that question when you’re vilifying the name of the man who created this family dynasty from nothing. Whenever Michael was in trouble who did he go to? That’s right Poppa Joe. During the trial in 2003, with everyone focused on the court proceedings, Joe went from door to door in Santa Barbara, knocking on strangers' doors introducing himself, meeting as many locals as he could. He struggled to get the community on his son's side. He had dinner with people in the community, brought signed Jackson memorabilia as gifts, and did his best to get to know them on a personal basis. He knew too well that legal court proceedings are not decided only in the court room but also in the court of public opinion. Now most PR firms would be thinking of a national or international campaign. But for this trial, the public opinion that mattered most was a very small community in Santa Barbara. That’s a real man and a real father.

Joe went to flukking WAR for his family time after time after time. He sacrificed, just like Matthew Knowles did for Beyonce, like Richard Williams did for Venus and Serena, and like Earl Woods did for Tiger. He did what a daddy is supposed to do. He protected and provided for his family AND he never cared whether anyone knew it or not because HE knows it and that was what he was supposed to do. He’s by no means perfect and has made his share of mistakes as all men do however he deserves respect. I’m going to be honest here; those browbeating Joseph Jackson could not carry his jock strap.

[Jen]

Regarding uncontainable spirit's comment, I agree with you 100%. I grew up in the 50's and 60's and disciplining kids by hitting was an acceptable way of life and this is why many of that era became successful adults. If you got whipped for something you would probably not commit the same offense again unlike today's youth.

[shock77777]

In regards to a Post by: Uncontainable Spirit about Joe Jackson doing what fathers did back then, beating their kids. Yes, it is sad but true that years ago, it was not only done, society seemed to accept it. If you took your child to a store and he stole a piece of gum, he would be beaten at the store in front of the clerk who told on him. This would be for several reasons, one to make the kid know that it is not acceptable to steal and that if you do you will be punished. The punishment might be done by an open hand, a fist, a belt, a stick or whatever a parent chose to use. Back in those days if you did not punish your child immediately, it was very possible that you and your family would be banned from ever shopping in that store again. To save face for themselves, parents often chose to punish the child right there and then, often continuuing as they exited the store and all the way home, through the door and all the way to their bedrooms. Did they cry and scream as they were beaten, you bet they did, it hurt. Usually welts, bruises, and at times cuts that bled came from these beetings. The man ruled the house, the mother cleaned, cooked and waited on that man. She was no more allowed to say anything to him in defense of her childrens suffering, or she too would possibly be beaten. It was a different life back then. Teachers in schools beat children if they mis-behaved. They would send notes home or call the parents and when those children got home, they would be beat again. I know a lot about this because I was on the receiving end. I watched it, I lived it. Like Michael, I was scared and frightened and emotionally scarred for life. Physical, emotional and verbal use was done and accepted, but that doesn't mean it was right, because children should always feel like they have a place they can go for comfort, love and safety, in their parents open loving arms. They should go to bed at night dreaming happy thoughts, not having nightmares that stem from fear of another beating, rather it's their own or one of their siblings and/or their mother. For most families the men are still the number one breadwinner, but fortunately the real men in this world have changed and inspire their children to do good and make something of themselves by giving them encouragement, love and understanding. Times have changed, laws protect the innocent victims of abuse. Joe Jackson did not have to beat his children, he chose to beat his children. I am really concerned that Joe Jackson has access to Michaels children. I pray that the system observes with a close eye watching over them and that they are allowed to live their childhood as their father wanted. My prayers are with Michael, may God have mercy on his soul and bless his entire family and friends who so loved him. At last you have been saved. You can now rest.