The ugly truth about AEG and Michael Jackson

Michael in 2002

 

The last two days have covered testimony from AEG Live Senior Vice President and General Counsel Shawn Trell, and it's pretty clear that AEG lie and have no respect for Michael Jackson.



Firstly, Shawn Trell testified yesterday that AEG Live LLC did not conduct any background checks or supervise the doctor who was later convicted of killing Michael Jackson.
This goes against the email sent by Randy Phillips, AEG Live President, to Kenny Ortega saying :

“This doctor is extremely successful (we check everyone out) and does not need this gig, so he is totally unbiased and ethical.”

So what is going on here? Either Phillips was flat out lying, knowing full well that nobody had performed any such checks, or he had asked for the checks to be made, but in fact they were not carried out by AEG staff, and the staff lied to Phillips. Either way, it paints AEG senior managers as liars.
It could also suggest that they are trying to convince Ortgea, and maybe others, that all was well with Michael, and allay any fears they might have down the line. It seems in line with my opinion that they just wanted Michael to get on stage, regardless of the consequencies.



Secondly, AEG referred to Michael in derogatory terms in emails, which shows outright lack of respect, especially from senior managers.


Jackson lawyer Brian Panish showed jurors an e-mail Trell sent on January 28, 2009, to Ted Fikre, AEG's chief legal officer, letting him know he was about to go to Michael's home for the signing of the contract for his "This Is It" concert tour.


"Does that mean you get to meet the freak?" Fikre replied.


Trell responded: "Apparently. Not sure how I feel about that. Interesting for sure, but kind of creepy."


The revelation brought an audible gasp in the Los Angeles courtroom at the wrongful death trial Wednesday and left fans crying.



"Is it the policy of AEG to talk in derogatory terms about the artist you're going to do business with?" Jackson lawyer Brian Panish asked.

"No," Trell answered.

But it was OK to talk about Michael Jackson this way then AEG?