Jackson memorial: City attorney investigating how L.A. ended up footing the bill

The Michael Jackson memorial is over, but the debate over the estimated bill to the city of nearly $4 million continues to rage.

Newly elected Los Angeles City Atty. Carmen Trutanich told the City Council he was investigating how the city ended up on the hook for police costs surrounding the memorial.

He assured the council that his new management team was going to find out how the city got into the position of providing support for the event and how it could recoup some of the money. His staff also is  researching legislation “so we won’t be caught in this lurch again,” he said.

City sources had estimated the cost of policing and other city services at $3.8 million, though officials are still tabulating the final costs. Far fewer fans than expected converged on downtown Los Angeles for the memorial than expected, and the LAPD decided to let about 1,000 officers go home early. 

Before the event, L.A. Councilman Dennis Zine said AEG, the entertainment company that produced the memorial and was handling Jackson's comeback, should pay the city for the costs it incurred. Councilwoman Jan Perry suggested the Jackson family make a contribution.

Of course, at least some of those costs could be recouped with extra tax revenues from the swarm of fans and media reporters who came to L.A. for Jackson's memorial. There were reports of full hotels, but it's unclear exactly how much extra tax revenues the business brought in.

-- Maeve Reston and Andrew Blankstein

Comments

[Phil]

In your "investigation" please let us know what amount has been generated over the last few days by tourists and locals who have undoubtedly spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on hotels, restaurants, etc..

Then and ONLY then come back to us with the "bill".

Thank you!

[clvngodess]

I agree and would like to know how and why the city got left holding the bag. This is a pop star, not a political dignitary or head of state. Sorry guys, I know that many of you loved MJ, and for good reason. But my city is gouging tax payers like myself for their lack of fiduciary discretion and ability to manage a budget. So I have to ask, how come we are paying for MJs memorial event expenses?

[Mayes]

Too bad you LA Council members weren't this alert to other events that took up the time of the police in the past. Events such as the marches by those in support of immigration rights, the constant street fares, the movie companies filming at various locations, etc. Many etcertas in fact for the past three decades. How about the Mayors junkets to the Democratic conventions and overseas. How about the junkets taken by each of you council members to sunny locations overseas as well as Europe. Well now. Does that provide a little context for you?

San Diego

[Adam]

Ask Jan Perry. She was quoted in this very newspaper as saying that the city would pay for the MJ memorial out of a "special fund" set aside for "extraordinary events."

[Shemp]

Don't spend any time investigating. The answer is simple: We have a bunch of morons running this city, from the mayor (wherever he is) to the police chief, the city council, on down. How pathetic that they are begging for money from the public so a party/concert (NOT a memorial) can be held for the benefit of millionaire entertainers and their billion-dollar media companies.

[Management Mom]

I'll tell you how LA got stuck with the bill: City Council sleight-of-hand. The "special fund" the councilwoman Parry claimed could be used, is supposed to be for things like natural disasters and life-threatening emergencies, of which this event was neither.

Is the City Council scratching its own back with allowing this liability on city funds? So what if the event brought in money? So did the Laker event. There was no need to recruit benefactors to pay for this because it's the responsibility of the family.

What about the merchants who lost money? You know, the ones who couldn't do business because streets were closed and traffic was diverted? The Council would like us to think that it was all profitable, but is only wiling to present half the information. Let's see the losses. This venture didn't even break even and hurt the area merchants more than it helped.

[Ace]

Aside from the hotel and other revenue from media and tourists at the event and the positive light in which the city was portrayed, it is likely that the city has made and will continue to receive millions of dollars in taxes from Mr. Jackson and his estate.

[swf]

As with any other commercial promotion, those who benefited from the improvement of the brand should cover the costs. The Jackson Family wanted it big and expensive to protect the future income of the music and Joe Jackson's new record label, send them the bills.

[Ronnie]

Where are all those politicians that came out against the Lakers parade? They were so quick to voiced their opinions then but silent now! Just because it's Michael Jackson?

[Norm Silver]

The way the city got stuck with this bill is they out talked and snookered by Al Sharpton and group. Al is a great one who specializes in spending someone else's money. He is full of suggestions about memorials, commemorative stamps and other programs but he never puts up his money where his mouth is. He likes to use ours.

[taxpayer]

The taxpayers of LA should certainly not have to pay for this, and shame on Villaragosa for even asking. The taxpayers of LA didn't organize the event or vote on whether or not funds should be used. LA should look soley to AEG and the Jackson family for contributions. What happens if LA has a true emergency or another "extraordinary event"? Is law enforcement now going to be out of money? Is it any wonder that the state and City are in such bad financial straits? Sure, go ahead and cut benefits to the poor, elderly and children, but spend millions on a special event. How does that make any sense?

[yours truly, Johnny Dollar]

Of the listed venues for the circus being in town, yesterday's
performance at The Staples Center was omitted.

[Tribe]

Hmmm, City Atty. Carmen Trutanich's staff is researching new legislation to stick event organizers with paying for the cost of policing the city??? Probably not a good move as this would make the city of Los Angeles less competitive with other cities vying for convention business.

We may have to swallow this and hope the extra people which came in town provided enough additional tax to defray the cost. For councilwoman Jan Perry to suggest the Jackson family pay is a little insensitive when their presence in California alone has generated lots of extra bucks over the years.

[Joanna]

You must be joking - LA is meant to the entertainment capital of the world and as such this is the price we pay for having all those vistors and the film & music industry here - grow up, you can not have it both ways.
Perhaps you should total all the revenue that MJ's death has raised and offset that against the policing bill - you just want it both ways - typical politician

[Clint Bradford]

LAPD's intelligence-gathering departments aren't performing very well.

For the Lakers parade, they knew streets would be lined and a Coliseum would be filled. And LAPD's intelligence departments thought 2,000 cops were sufficient for the job.

But for today's Michael Jackson memorial, they believed 3,000 cops were needed for the massive crowds that were going to attend - or attempt to crash - the memorial. And how many were there on the perimeter? Five thousand peaceful fans.

I don't think the LAPD should be asking for public assistance paying for their enormous miscalculation of needed personnel. They need to be able to gather better intelligence to better protect our communities.

Clint Bradford
Mira Loma

[Des]

Sorry San Diego, movies pay for the retired officers assigned to our sets. No money comes out of the cities pocket.

[kb]

this could easily become a free speech issue, how can you legislate against public events if you require the event holder to pay for huge security contigent in the area around your event for a crowd that may or may not show up, and may or not behave itself. how do you decide which events will draw rowdy crowds or not. its only in recent times that cities and police departments have decided to prepare on the level that they do now. im willing to bet the cost of replacing a few broken windows is way cheaper. we probably can blame this response on the 1999 seattle wto protesters who organized anarchy, also at other world financial meetings, then using this methodology on other events.

[Bazorg]

Just repeat what Shemp said about 12 million times....

[DonJMac]

I bet no one ever get the EXACT COST,if you DUMMIES think the filling of hotels will pay for LAPD's overtime,,you're dreaming,,What about the fire dept.,freeway closer,helecopters, all OVERTIME,or double time and one half LOTS OF MONEY THAT L.A. don't have,,LOS ANGELES YOU KEEP ON DREAMING,ONE DAY YOU WILL WAKE UP AND THROUGH THE BUMS OUT. YOU,YOU,DUMMIES, WHO DO YOU THINK OCCUPIDED THE HOTELS,(LAPD) THE POLICE OFFICERS DON'T LIVE IN LOS ANGELES CITY

[b1gdon]

Hey LA, stop whining about the costs. You are the entertainment capital of the world and this is a tiny cost of maintaining that status. Your entrainment and tourism industries generate billions and billions and billions for your local economy. Suck it up, this is called the costs of doing business. You got three hours of non-stop global coverage of your city.

[A. Domingo]

The culprit was POOR PLANNING by those who approved the expense. Wednesday morning quarterbacking won't correct the error. Whats done is done, the moneys gone. The fund should always be for public events, not private events turned public. No matter how you look at it, funerals/memorial services are private moments paid for by the surviving family members.

Will the city be willing to provide escort for every funeral in Los Angeles?

[bjth]

Shemp is my personal hero today.

Forget for a moment whether Michael Jackson meant anything to you or not. How in the world did this concert and the security needed for it get to be the responsibility of the tax-paying citizens? No disrespect to the Jackson family intended, but why not private services then later on a memorial concert? For that's what it was. One look at Mariah Carey's dress should confirm that....

Pragmatically, I hope that extra revenue from hotel bookings, car rentals, dinners out and a stiff drink or two (probably needed by many) help make up the difference. I also hope George Clooney is on my doorstep when I come back from the market this morning. But he, and those mysterious extra revenues, are probably both figments of fervid imaginations.

[J. Meoff]

This was a thread of inherent racism running through Jan Perry's support of using our tax dollars for this business sponsored and related event for a psuedo black man. Evidence the shameless self-promotion of those race hucksters Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton injecting themselves in the limelight. We should pay the bill by deducting the cost from Perry's salary.

[TheFonZzz]

Wow only 3.8 million for the longest commercial ever?

This was really the cheapest way to promote L.A. worldwide.

[Sal]

Johnny: that was a clever comment, I bet you're the first one to think of that...

But anywho - I'm curious how the City of LA got stuck with several hundred illegal billboards and supergraphics with borderline pornographic imagery littering its skyline. I'd much rather Trutanich chase down the answer and get a solution to that question rather than why LA got "stuck" paying for the public memorial of one of it's most prodigious and noteworthy residents it has ever produced.

[Kellie]

I think the city attorney needs to get over it! Services have to be provided in the city - this is no different!!!

[kb-hunter]

Think of this stimulus spending, and get on with it.

[Robin]

I could not believe the Mayor asking for donations from the citizens of L.A. If the family wanted such an extravagant memorial they should be prepared to pay for it. I'm pretty sure the people who are scraping by to put food on the table for their families are not going to be reaching in their pockets to pay for a rich man's funeral. Why don't all the celebrities who "promoted" their own careers at his memorial take out their check books. I will not contribute one red cent to such an unworthy cause. Shame on the Mayor for putting his city in this predicament. Taxes are up, gas prices are up, unemployment is up. Wake up Mayor!

[Bambi]

The Jackson family has been living in the Los Angeles city limits for 40 years or close to 40 years. They have paid their taxes and they have brought lots of money into Los Angeles throughout the years. Especially yesterday to local hotel and restaurants. Shame on L.A. for having the nerves to say the Jacksons should foot the bill.

If anything, the city tax payers should ask for an audit to find out why the city is 500 million dollars in debt. Had the LA politician been concerned about the budget years ago, the city would not be broke today. Dont pay them a penny Jackson family!

[EastFan]

Folks.. This is the cost of life in the fastlane. Its the reason Los Angeles is Los Angeles. Its the roots of why this area, the valley, etc. have become what they are. This does not happen in IOWA! I am sure nobody complained in the "fat times" when LA really shined. Los Angeles will always be a proud city. You can't take that away from her. This is coming from somebody living back east. Lets see if the fans shut down the loudmouths like they did with the Laker's parade. Some of sent money to the city as the least we could do. Appreciate the things in life that mean something to you, and support them.

[Carla]

HASN'T MICHAEL PAID TAXES IN LA/CA? WON'T HIS ESTATE DO SO (ESTATE TAXES), AS WILL WHOEVER INHERITS HIS MONEY AND ASSETS?!?! GOODNESS!!!!! GET A GRIP AND GET OFF THIS FAMILY'S CASE ALREADY AND LET THEM GRIEVE IN PEACE!!!!!

[Dew]

The City got left holding the bag because it is THEIR JOB to direct traffic and have police on hand to protect the public for large events. This is no different as if you went to a concert at Staples or Hollywood Bowl... you see police there - yes? Well, this is the same thing.

AEG and the Jackson family already contributed to this event by paying their taxes, as so has the rest of the public. If the City is broke because of their overspending, it is their problem and they shou;d figure out a way to be more fiscally conservative.

[Michael Rules!!!]

The reason the City of L.A. got stuck with a big bill is because they assumed that a memorial service for Michael Jackson would draw in a crowd of riotous losers, when in fact, they were wrong. Michael Jackson fans are, like Michael, wonderful, well behaved people. The City made their bed and they can sleep in it. The family and fans should not feel any obligation to pay for excessive police service that was CLEARLY not needed. Just another bad mistake by the City of Los Angeles.

[seetowne]

It's a disgrace that L.A. taxpayers have to pay security costs for this extravaganza to benefit the estate of Michael Jackson. When an ordinary mortal dies, his/her estate or heirs have to pay for cops to lead the motorcade to the cemetery, direct traffic, etc. Why not the same for Jackson?

[Gail]

I agree.... I think the City over-reacted, thinking this would be a circus (oh that's right, Barnum & Bailey walked the animals through downtown last night... police?). It turned out that mid-day they dismissed most of the police and fire services because there was no circus.... I think it was totally tacky for them to at first ask the Jackson family to pick up the tab after all, I'm sure MJ didn't plan on dropping dead.... AEG should chip in something... But then again AEG is responsible for revitalizing downtown and turning it into an entertainment money-maker, Staples Center, Nokia Live, Ritz Carlton etc. Also, think of all the taxes generated from the memorial... hotels were full, restaurants, parking... Let alone all the money generated from the entertainment industry in this city anyway.... I think Police Chief Brantton over-reacted and should be held responsible...riot control? lol....

[Joe in SC]

The problem is they did not give the Chief and the council people tickets - now if the Chief got a few tickets to toss around to his family and friends - no problemo, mano.

[J. Sanchez]

It's funny to hear everyone (the media) be so surprised about how many fans DIDN'T show up at the Staples Center yesterday. The LAPD made it very clear that if you did not have a ticket, you had no business being there. The people actually listened. Yet, LAPD went ahead and had all of their officers down there, ready to control the crowds that they told to stay away. Every shot of officers I saw yesterday, was them just standing around. The city still has the nerve to ask us for donations to help pay for the service. Our city's budget crisis wasn't caused by Michael Jackson's death, but it sure seems like the city is trying to capitalize on it.

[kari]

Seeing how these free memorial books are selling for hundreds (which by the way is sad that these people are giving up that memoribillia for money) I feel that LA should offer these booklets for the rest of the world who could not attend for 10 bucks or so to contribute to the cost of his memorial. I am sure we all would love to help and i am also sure we would love a booklet to remember him by.

[john]

Whoever is going to make all that extra money from the sales of the MJ Memorial DVD should pay for it out of that..
Who owns the rights to to all that footage?
You just know it's going to be all packaged up and sold, so go after some of that money.
Why was it even held at Staples anyway?
AND I HAVE TO SAY I AM SICK AND DISGUSTED HOW THEY SHOT FOOTAGE OF HIS CHILDREN AT THIS VERY VERY SAD TIME IN THIER LIVES. THAT IS REALLY REALLY DISGUSTING. IT WAS ALL A BIG PHOTO OP AND COMMERCIAL FOR PROFIT ENTERPRISE.. SICK SICK SICK.

[Lorie]

The female city employee that spoke on the news last night regarding who will cover the cost of Michael Jackson's funeral. Her comment was "Los Angeles has money in reserve for emergencies like this" obviously hasn't had her pay cut enough. She must not know that emergencies are: earthquakes, floods, etc.

[CaliMJFan]

The Jackson family have done enough for Los Angeles in the years they have lived there. They have paid more than their share of taxes.

Los Angeles city government has spent astronomical amounts on Prop 8 rallies, when the state itself could have reduced those costs by not ever allowing that illegal law to go to the people to begin with. But that's another story.

Jan Berry and LAPD did the network circuit Friday and over the weekend BEGGING people NOT to come to LA. Dumb move. Had they realized, as many posters here have said, that MJ fans are like no other and would have indeed shown up in record breaking numbers, they would have more than covered the cost for the police presence, which was viewed as a battlefield tactic by most in the general public.

Had they made a way for all fans, as originally released, to be a part of the event watching it outside and made one area only for others who had tickets to get inside, it would have gone down in history as the largest LOS ANGELES and worldwide gathering EVER.

But they blew it.

Now they, as Berry commented, can pay for it out of their fund. This is their JOB. They provide police presence for other celebrity events without worldwide complaint and panhandling.

Michael was proud to call California home. Why wasn't California as proud to host his memorial service? Shame on you Los Angeles.

San Diego native

[Steve Virissimo]

Let me see, if there are just under 10,000 LA police officers why was nearly a third of ALL LA cops assigned to work this event? So that means that if approximatelly two-thirds worked the rest of the city, it would be safe to say that hundreds would have been working somewhere else in the city anyway. Therefore the cost can't be near the $3.5Million even with firemen and sheriffs added. What am I missing here?

[margarita]

Of course the Jackson family should pay the costs...a private funeral for a public event and you do the math....sorry, but Michael was NOT a president, senator, congressman or anyone worhthy of taxpayer's expense...FOUR MILLION and we are in a recession, get real, Jacksons you've got billions!!!!

[Jayne]

Why don't they set up a donation site and let Michael Jackson's fans take part in giving donations to cover the costs? The cost of the event could be set, and then people could give whatever they want. If more donations are raised than the actual cost of the memorial, the remaining amount could go towards his debt. If anything is left over at that point, it could then go to a trust fund for his children. In my eyes, this is a big DUH! I know many of us would be interested in supporting his memorial.

[WTFLA - Really?]

Who asked for that much police force? If AEG or the Jackson family actually asked for that much LAPD on the streets, then they should pay for it. But I seriously doubt they did. LAPD doesn't turn out as strong for any other sold out show at staples.... It looks like LAPD - being the group of brain surgeon/analysts they are - overreacted and should have to take the cut themselves. HEY - if the city is in financial distress and a bunch of cops are getting paid overtime to sit around and do nothing, why don't they NOT GET PAID. Equal pay for equal work - RIGHT? LAPD is overpaid already and they aren't getting any budget cuts at all.

[Rocco]

The TV networks, ESPECIALLY the cable ones, have devoted thousands of hours to coverage of the Michael Jackson story. The Memorial was watched by millions. The networks and their advertisers should step up to the plate and make their contributions. 4 million? No problemo. Solved. Done. Fine'.

[Cori]

Excuse me, but isn't Michael Jackson's little sister and closet sibling Janet Jackson a multimillionare? Why isn't she paying for her brother's memorial service? 4 million dollars to her is like 4 dollars.

She lives in Beverly Hills and arrived at Michael's house driving a Bentley but the taxpayers are supposed to pay for her brother's memorial. I loved Michael to but I wouldn't want my taxes used to pay for his memorial when his sister's rich.

[Amazed]

Seeing that it will be the Obama administration the reaps the benefits from the estate taxes from MJ's, why not get some stimulus money to pay for his circus, oops, I meant memorial.

[Maybach]

According to AL Sharpton- Jackson is right up with US Presidents, and like the day of Regans Memorial yesterday should have been made a state holiday for us in the Golden State.

Id like to donate to the city of LA for the expenses yesterday, where can I send my IOU. After all no one else wants those worthless papers.

[J in Pasadena]

Where do I pick up the check to pay for my family member's funeral?

[Megan]

I agree that taxpayers shouldn't have to pay for it, but realistically don't you think Michael Jackson paid many millions in taxes over the years to California?

[Anne]

I'll make a donation when I get my state tax return back.

[Peter]

The City of LA got millions of dollars of international promotion from this event. LA is the home of the most famous world celebrities and people from around the world flock here to see them, and of course, contribute to the local economy.

LA loves it's tourism dollars, but was too stupid to recognize an opportunity to to showcase our city. CaliMJFan (above - July 08, 2009 at 11:42 AM) summed it up well. City Officials discouraged people to come to LA and spend their money. Congratulations!!!

[mike]

If Michael Jackson was white no one would complain like this; they would demand a national holiday for a humanitarian and American icon. The new mask of racism is frugality - thanks for the advance notice

[Brenda]

Can you imagine the chaos had there not been a public memorial, with significant security? Look at the number of people who went to the hospital, the Encino home, Neverland, and the Holmby Hills home in the days surrounding his death. I l live in Westwood it took me 2 hours to go 5 miles (normally 10 minutes on the same streets at the same time) on the day he died. I counted at least 5 news helicopters as well. Should the family pay for that too?

I believe people stayed away not because there was no interest, but because it was made clear that there was no way for them to get close.

Imagine what traffic would have been like had there been no police escort to/from the funeral home. Between fans and paparzzi, this city would have been a disaster. Even if they attempted to have just a private family service, how long do you imagine it would have taken for swarms to descend once the public counted even 5 cars in a motorcade from their home (and what family doesn't have a motorcade from a memorial to a burial site). People would have called the police one way or another to help with crowd control.

Would you ask them to pay in that case?

[john mccarthy]

Last time the LAFD ambulance took me to a hospital they charged me $900 for the ride and the three EMT's on board.

What are city taxes being paid into anyway? If you go to court, there are court costs. If you go to jail, there are jail costs. Where the hell do our taxes go?

It is a no brainer who the $1.4 million should be charged to for MJ's funeral expense. Then I would love to see an audit on the billing. That would cost me, no doubt.

[RaymondR]

I am a Taxpayer. I did not and would not agree to have used tax dollars for this. There is no justification. At a time where the rest of us have a settle for IOU's (?!) and school/city programs are being cut, how can footing the the bill for a powerhouse family like the Jacksons be justified?! They, like the rest of us, should bury their dead. It's easy for those already living off the state tit to glibly say, "yeah, sure, no problem." Something is seriously wrong and, yes, there should be an investigation to ascertain who authorized this and mete out consequences. Enough with the freeloaders, already!!!

[kevin]

Interesting how the apologists state "the family has paid their taxes in Los Angeles for years" as some kind of rational for the taxpayers in general to pay for this media event - I, too, have paid my taxes for years in Los Angeles. I didn't realize that this entitled me to a city funded memorial service. I agree that the City has always been enamoured of the industry and bent over backwards (or forwards?) to accomodate their wants, frequently at the expense of resident Joe Taxpayers such as myself. This whole shindig isn't surprising to me at all, although pretty enraging. What about the funding for LAUSD? Oh, I'll bet that comes out of a "different budget". Can I request my tax dollars only go to that budget?

[christopher]

In any other "similar" event, (the Academy Awards, 10k Runs, Parades, Public Demonstrations)... the responsibility for public protection and the funding to provide it belongs to the city and the taxpayers.

That's the way it has been done in the past, that's they way it will be done in the future.

It's unfortunate that we are in the midst of a financial crisis and the cost of these services are inconvenient. But begging for money isn't the right thing to do. Not according to the precedent set by events in the past.

It's shameful, hypocritical and embarrassing, especially after having begged for money recently for the Lakers parade... where private donations helped cover the costs the city couldn't come up with.

These costs were not accumulated to put on the event, but to protect the citizens from themselves.

Yes. The city is broke. But that's not the Jacksons or AEG's fault.

[Michael Alexander]

First, I believe there are those that believe that the city paid for his funeral. Let me qualify and say that what was paid for by the city was police protection. Police protection is a city cost. What was paid for was "public protection" not a funeral.