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CNN Live Today

Interview With Harvey Levin

Aired November 19, 2003 - 11:17   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's get more on the story now. The program "Celebrity Justice" has reported extensively on the Michael Jackson investigation. Joining us from the "C.J." studios in Glendale, California, the executive producer Harvey Levin. Harvey, good morning.
HARVEY LEVIN, "CELEBRITY JUSTICE": Morning, Daryn.

KAGAN: Tell us what you've been able to find out about this investigation. How did it even start?

LEVIN: Well it started, we know, because a 12-year-old Los Angeles boy went to a therapist several months ago. During the session, the boy said things that alarmed the therapist and under California law, health care professionals have a legal duty to disclose and alert authorities if they either believe or have reason to believe the child abuse has occurred.

That is what happened in this case. The therapist reported it and that launched the investigation.

KAGAN: We heard in Gary Tuchman's piece the repeating of the comments that Michael Jackson has made where he says he does sleep with boys but it's not sexual, I just tuck them in. Could those comments hurt him?

LEVIN: Well, I'm not sure. I am pretty confident that that is not the basis for launching this investigation. It's more than just that. And we have reason to believe it's more than just that based on what we know.

But I do know that when they went to the ranch yesterday, authorities seized a number of items including videotapes, computers and personal letters that was correspondence back and forth between this boy and Michael Jackson.

And, Daryn, it's significant to note that ten years ago during the first investigation, there were videos that were missing from Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch, the main house. And authorities believe that Jackson and his people were tipped off. They believe certain videos were taken out just before the search. And I think that's why it was so important to authorities.

KAGAN: Yes, it looked like a big surprise this time. Want to look back at 1993. There was the settlement in the civil case but criminal charges were never pressed. Why not? LEVIN: They weren't because we know there was a $20 million settlement. And the boy and his family basically went away, said they did not have a taste to pursue this anymore.

Without an alleged victim, the case just fell apart, both in L.A. and Santa Barbara County. What's particularly interesting is Tom Snedden was the D.A. in Santa Barbara then. He's also the D.A. now in Santa Barbara County with the latest investigation.

He felt he was hot on the trail back then. He is back now. He was at the ranch yesterday supervising part of the search.

KAGAN: So what's to keep this from happening again from this 12- year-old boy backing out?

LEVIN: You know, it's always a possibility. You never know how things are going to turn. No. 1, he has to get arrested. No. 2, he has to get charged. And No. 3, they have to press on with the trial.

Now If there is a civil case filed, and it does settle you never know how that's going to play out. It's always a possibility in cases like this Daryn.

KAGAN: And big question that none of us can answer right now, what parent in his our her right mind would let their child be spending time with Michael Jackson at this point in time?

LEVIN: It is a fair question.

KAGAN: It is. Harvey Levin, thank you so much.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired November 19, 2003 - 11:17   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Let's get more on the story now. The program "Celebrity Justice" has reported extensively on the Michael Jackson investigation. Joining us from the "C.J." studios in Glendale, California, the executive producer Harvey Levin. Harvey, good morning.
HARVEY LEVIN, "CELEBRITY JUSTICE": Morning, Daryn.

KAGAN: Tell us what you've been able to find out about this investigation. How did it even start?

LEVIN: Well it started, we know, because a 12-year-old Los Angeles boy went to a therapist several months ago. During the session, the boy said things that alarmed the therapist and under California law, health care professionals have a legal duty to disclose and alert authorities if they either believe or have reason to believe the child abuse has occurred.

That is what happened in this case. The therapist reported it and that launched the investigation.

KAGAN: We heard in Gary Tuchman's piece the repeating of the comments that Michael Jackson has made where he says he does sleep with boys but it's not sexual, I just tuck them in. Could those comments hurt him?

LEVIN: Well, I'm not sure. I am pretty confident that that is not the basis for launching this investigation. It's more than just that. And we have reason to believe it's more than just that based on what we know.

But I do know that when they went to the ranch yesterday, authorities seized a number of items including videotapes, computers and personal letters that was correspondence back and forth between this boy and Michael Jackson.

And, Daryn, it's significant to note that ten years ago during the first investigation, there were videos that were missing from Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch, the main house. And authorities believe that Jackson and his people were tipped off. They believe certain videos were taken out just before the search. And I think that's why it was so important to authorities.

KAGAN: Yes, it looked like a big surprise this time. Want to look back at 1993. There was the settlement in the civil case but criminal charges were never pressed. Why not? LEVIN: They weren't because we know there was a $20 million settlement. And the boy and his family basically went away, said they did not have a taste to pursue this anymore.

Without an alleged victim, the case just fell apart, both in L.A. and Santa Barbara County. What's particularly interesting is Tom Snedden was the D.A. in Santa Barbara then. He's also the D.A. now in Santa Barbara County with the latest investigation.

He felt he was hot on the trail back then. He is back now. He was at the ranch yesterday supervising part of the search.

KAGAN: So what's to keep this from happening again from this 12- year-old boy backing out?

LEVIN: You know, it's always a possibility. You never know how things are going to turn. No. 1, he has to get arrested. No. 2, he has to get charged. And No. 3, they have to press on with the trial.

Now If there is a civil case filed, and it does settle you never know how that's going to play out. It's always a possibility in cases like this Daryn.

KAGAN: And big question that none of us can answer right now, what parent in his our her right mind would let their child be spending time with Michael Jackson at this point in time?

LEVIN: It is a fair question.

KAGAN: It is. Harvey Levin, thank you so much.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com