City attorney says L.A. 'wasted a lot of dough' on Michael Jackson memorial, defends quest for payment

City Atty. Carmen Trutanich defended his efforts to recoup city dollars spent on the Michael Jackson memorial from the owner of Staples Center, but denied today that he asked AEG President and CEO Tim Leiweke for $6 million during a meeting in July.
 
A day after Leiweke told The Times editorial board that Trutanich tried to “bully” the company into paying the city the money to cover various city services provided during the Jackson memorial, Trutanich justified his actions in a speech to members of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce at City Hall.
 

“If going after your money is being a bully, then I’m a bully; I have no problem doing that,” Trutanich said. “We wasted a lot of dough on the Michael Jackson memorial. We wasted a lot of money. Now if any of you think that we didn’t, I’ll take your donation after my speech.”

The city attorney, who took office in July, said his only goal “is to make the citizens whole."

"It’s not to hurt a corporation that’s been very, very good to the City of Los Angeles,” he added.

Trutanich also offered a different account of his July meeting with Leiweke, who said the city attorney demanded $6 million to settle the matter at that time.

“I met with people at AEG immediately after our election and I told them what the amounts of money [were that] we deployed,” said Trutanich, who later estimated he asked for $2 million to $3 million from Leiweke. “The money that was offered back was insufficient. I didn’t think it was in the best interest of the taxpayers and so I said no and that was the end of the meeting.”

In an interview after the speech, Trutanich said he did not arrive at the $6-million figure until a month after the meeting, when the city’s top budget analyst’s estimated the city’s overhead on the day of the Michael Jackson memorial at that amount.

“I’m not saying I’m not doing it now,” Trutanich said of his alleged request for $6 million. “I’m going to ask for what the city lost.”

Trutanich said his office is continuing to investigate how much the city spent.

-- Maeve Reston at L.A. City Hall

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Comments

[Erik from Monterey Park]

If I lived in the City of Los Angeles, I'd definitely VOTE for Mr. Trutanich. It's refreshing when a city official isn't swayed by stars in their eyes.

Don't you agree, Mayor Villaraigosa?

[Megan]

I don't dissagree that Michael Jackson's funeral should have been paid for. But not out of the taxpayers money. The multitude of charities that he contributed to should have gladly fitted the bill out of respect. LA county has their priorities all mixed up and needs to stop paying for things like a huge parade for the Lakers. That was nonscense. Those players make millions for the drama they bring to the tabloids, not because they love the game without their huge paychecks. Michael Jackson needs to be respected for the good that he did do. It's really bad form to smear a dead person. Bad form...

[Little Annie]

Throughout the whole article, there is no mention of the Jackson Family or the Jackson Family Trust. But still, some people expressed that the Jackson family should pay for the cost of the service LAPD provided on the day of Michael Jackson's memorial services. This further shows the level of ignorance and biasness toward Michael Jackson is beyond ridiculous. Just because Michael's estate is wealthy enough to pay $6 million doesn't mean that the estate is obligated to do so.

As far as I know, the Jackson family never request the city of Los Angeles to provide any police service. Providng police service to ensure public safety is one of the reponsiblilities of city government.

In New York City, extended police service is provided during the United Nation Assembly meetings. Streets are blocked and cops are patroling all the time. Does the city of New York send a bill to the UN?

The city attorney general should spend his time on coming up ways to eliminate inefficiencies in government spending, instead of making publicity stu

[JSA26]

Trutanich seems like a real hard arse, who doesn't let anybody including the well connected push him around.

I like this guy!

[Andy]

Trutanich is right on. Remember, AEG and the Jacksons chose to have a memorial where they did - in a venue from which they both will profit mightily. Maybe the LAPD over-deployed, but they had no way of knowing how many officers would be needed, because they didn't know how many idiots would show up in spite of being told not to, and try to create an incident. If they'd had only a small contingent, and the fans had caused an incident and people and property were injured, they'd be criticized for having too few officers on scene. As I recall, when it became evident the huge crowds were not showing up, they released officers early in order to save money. The LAPD is charged with determining what level of enforcement they need for a situation, its not up to the venue to decide how much they want. Regardless, it was a private ceremony for a private citizen with vast resources, they should pay for it. The city cannot afford it with all the layoffs and cutbacks.

[Angie]

know what? thats more or less the amount you spent trying to convict and innocent man. so, you are owed NOTHING!

[rick]

DeborahFfrench... What????

[Pedro resident]

RECALL TRUTANICH NOW.

He should never have been elected.

I predict it won't be long before his conflicts of interest, questionable real estate dealings and other wrong-doings come out. Those of us in San Pedro know about this guy and he is a thug.

[Jess]

MJ helped countless of sick, poor, and underprivileged children in LA (not to mention the world) and this is how the city thanks him? It was the city who decided they needed that many cops on the streets around Staples, most of whom I witnessed, were standing around because there wasn't anything for them to do. It was the city that decided to shut down all the streets instead of letting grieving fans come to the area to show MJ's family their love and support. The city made the call and the city needs to pay for it.

Trutanich shows no compassion at all and I'll never vote for him again either!

As a matter of fact, just send the bills to the Arvizos, the Chandlers, Tom Sneddon "doctor" Murry, they're the ones responsible and they can pay for it!!!

[Little Annie]

For people who think the estate of Michael Jackson should pay for the expense. Let's reverse the scenario. Shall the tax revenue generated from the people who came to LA to attend the Memorial Service be given to the estate instead?

Some people are either brainwashed by the media or very jealous of Michael Jackson.

[Calvin W]

So is there any wonder why a new stadium is not being built in the city of LA...The DA needs to focus on real crime, real problems. Say Mr. DA is crime up or down in LA? How many slum lords have you put away?...The MJ thing is history, let it go.

[Carlos]

My opinion is this: We pay a great amount in taxes to the City of Los Angeles. I don't want my tax dollars to be wasted on accomodations that wouldn't be given to the average person. Michael Jackson was a great artist and was also a very troubled man. The Jackson family is profiting from the death of Michael, heck they're even picking on his children now. If anyone should be charged it should be the family. I paid for the traffic escorts, and that put me in debt. For a family who makes millions, this is ridiculous.
Have some dignity.

[Ty Howard]

This is so crazy, AEG Live should not pay for anything other than the production of the memorial that was held in their own facility. The city of LA and the tax payers should not mind paying for the lengendary performer who changed the world with his gifts of dance and music. The city of Los Angeles if anything owes the King of Pop this much deserved contribution.

[Mr. Z]

Trutanich is a BULLY & LIAR!!!!

HE WILL COST THE PEOPLE OF LA AT LEAST 100 MILLION DOLLARS IN LAW SUITES AND PAYMENTS WHEN THEY LOOSE BEFORE HE'S KICKED OUT OF OFFICE!!!!

SCHOOL YARD BULLIES LIKE HIM MUST BE STOPPED BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!!!

[Pete]

How could it cost 2 million? Cops worked 6 hours and were relieved early to go back to normal shifts. If we paid them $500 each, thats 4000 officers needed? How about a bill that makes sense.

[MJtheHumans]

Exactly!!!!!!
Wonderfuly said, Linda

Ironic and sickening. Michael was right "Man In The Mirror" folks!!!!

DID EVERYONE FORGET ALL THE MONEY MICHAEL GAVE TO CHARITY AND THE HOMELESS AND ALL THE SICK CHILDREN IN THIS WORLD EVEN LA R.I.P MJ

Posted by: LINDA | October 22, 2009 at 02:36 PM

[Patricia J.]

WRONG! The State Of California and Prosecutor Tom Sneddon wasted alot of money trying to convict an INNOCENT celebrity by the bogus allegations of the Poster Boy of Celebrity Extortion: GAVIN ARVIZO... THE SLEEZO

[Gene Dexter]

Why should the City of L.A. absorb the expense of the MJ funeral while AEG sees to it that the movie, the "memorial concert tour", and all the ancillary business coming from the organizing, filming, and planning of this spectacle benfits this company entirely?

[Patricia J.]

Michael Jackson: "I WOULD SLIT MY WRISTS BEFORE I WOULD HURT A CHILD!"

How about all the money Michael Jackson lost being falsely accused and having to defend lies? If you do the math... CALIFORNIA owes the estate money!

If Michael's fan base and overwhelming love for MJ was not so HUGE... it would have cost less but his fans are the most loyal in the universe!

[Ann]

It's about time someone thought about the tax payers. I don't pay taxes to have memorial services for celebrities. For all those people that don't agree, they should send 6 million dollars to the city of L.A.

[maria]

ok first of all y did they agree 2 it in the first place if they had an idea of how much it would cost it 2 late 2 be whining and crying, mj was the kindest guy ever hes donated millions and they just cant give a bit and it wasnt like 100 million 4 this memorial dis guys crazy

[common_sense]

word up city attorney. Mj family was rich enough to pay for his memorial. why did LA foot the bill anyways? retarded

[rac3rx@sbcglobal.net]

Well DUH!!!!

[gary galustian]

Instead of fixing much needed projects, they spent on a memorial.Jackson family should take care of the tab.
I don't want any of my taxes go to such spendings.

[Angela]

Several thoughts:

* LA should consider that it's an honor to host Michael Jackson's memorial funeral. It's only fair that we pay for it.

* However, the Jackson family, in knowing that a lot of people want this, should also be willing to pay for the costs. Everyone knows how LA financially stands, it's only fair that they also help cover the costs.

* AEG was able to benefit off of hosting the memorial, and it's also fair that they pay for parts of it.

All three parties need to pay the expenses, and I'm really disappointed that the discussion has only been focused on AEG providing the moo-lah.