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American Morning

Jackson in Charge?

Aired January 05, 2004 - 08:35   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.


BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: From California, Michael Jackson's lawyer, Mark Geragos, denying that the Nation of Islam is taking control of the singer's business dealings. Mark Geragos, in a statement posted on Jackson's Web site, called such reports spin, and said Jackson is in full control of his money matters.
Pat Lalama from the TV show "Celebrity Justice" back with us now on AMERICAN MORNING, live in L.A. Some more insight on this story.

Nice to see you, Pat. Happy New Year to you.

PAT LALAMA, "CELEBRITY JUSTICE": Happy New Year, and go Bucs.

HEMMER: Which ones?

LALAMA: Ohio State, my college.

HEMMER: And they looked pretty good against Kansas State over the weekend.

Listen, why does it matter if the Nation of Islam is even involved in Michael Jackson's matters?

LALAMA: You know, Bill, I'm not sure that really, in the end, it matters. I think there are two elements happening here. One is I think there's a psychological impact to having the Nation of Islam's aura surrounding Michael Jackson. You know, if you read one of the latest issues, I believe it's "Newsweek," Mike Tyson, who is a member of the Nation of Islam says you hire the nation of Islam for security to do two things: one, to make the white man think twice and the black man respect you. I don't think I could say it any other way. I think there is that psychological impact.

Secondly, I don't care what anybody says, I'm willing to bet my next three paychecks there are some financial dealings that are going on between the Nation of Islam and Michael Jackson. I know he does have some cashflow issues. And Mark Geragos wants to get paid, I'm sure. This is going to be a huge cost. I mean, the legal cost for something like this are just insurmountable. I think underneath all this Nation of Islam aura is probably some talk of quid pro quo. It's I'll do this, you do that, you give me this, and I'll stand behind you strong.

HEMMER: So if we buy your explanation there, the Nation of Islam gets money out of this? Is that the only thing? Or do they get notoriety? LALAMA: Listen, where have -- I haven't heard about the Nation of Islam in quite awhile. I think that certainly it's a great way to open the door to the Nation of Islam. Let's take the Michael Jackson case and make ourselves an element of it.

Now also, the other really important thing, Bill, and I think people have to remember this, all of this takes the attention off nine felony charges against Michael Jackson. When is the last time you heard anyone really discuss what he faces from a legal standpoint? It's all about these sidebar issues now. And Mark Geragos, it made me style that he used the word spin. God love him, he's the master of spin, and so I think he knows that this is happening.

HEMMER: The only problem with all of us discussing this in the way we are, Nation of Islam has denied this involvement. Why would they do that if indeed everything is true that we're talking about.

LALAMA: Well, I think what they're saying is that they're denying involvement in actually making legal decisions. But, you know, look, Mark Geragos knows what he's doing. I'm sure that maybe they're in on a couple of meetings, that they advise on a couple of matters. But I have to believe he's calling the shots.

HEMMER: Thanks, Pat. Pat Lalama, congratulations on your Buckeyes. They're my Buckeyes, too, by the way.

LALAMA: I know, that's why I said it.

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 January 5, 2004 - 08:35   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: From California, Michael Jackson's lawyer, Mark Geragos, denying that the Nation of Islam is taking control of the singer's business dealings. Mark Geragos, in a statement posted on Jackson's Web site, called such reports spin, and said Jackson is in full control of his money matters.
Pat Lalama from the TV show "Celebrity Justice" back with us now on AMERICAN MORNING, live in L.A. Some more insight on this story.

Nice to see you, Pat. Happy New Year to you.

PAT LALAMA, "CELEBRITY JUSTICE": Happy New Year, and go Bucs.

HEMMER: Which ones?

LALAMA: Ohio State, my college.

HEMMER: And they looked pretty good against Kansas State over the weekend.

Listen, why does it matter if the Nation of Islam is even involved in Michael Jackson's matters?

LALAMA: You know, Bill, I'm not sure that really, in the end, it matters. I think there are two elements happening here. One is I think there's a psychological impact to having the Nation of Islam's aura surrounding Michael Jackson. You know, if you read one of the latest issues, I believe it's "Newsweek," Mike Tyson, who is a member of the Nation of Islam says you hire the nation of Islam for security to do two things: one, to make the white man think twice and the black man respect you. I don't think I could say it any other way. I think there is that psychological impact.

Secondly, I don't care what anybody says, I'm willing to bet my next three paychecks there are some financial dealings that are going on between the Nation of Islam and Michael Jackson. I know he does have some cashflow issues. And Mark Geragos wants to get paid, I'm sure. This is going to be a huge cost. I mean, the legal cost for something like this are just insurmountable. I think underneath all this Nation of Islam aura is probably some talk of quid pro quo. It's I'll do this, you do that, you give me this, and I'll stand behind you strong.

HEMMER: So if we buy your explanation there, the Nation of Islam gets money out of this? Is that the only thing? Or do they get notoriety? LALAMA: Listen, where have -- I haven't heard about the Nation of Islam in quite awhile. I think that certainly it's a great way to open the door to the Nation of Islam. Let's take the Michael Jackson case and make ourselves an element of it.

Now also, the other really important thing, Bill, and I think people have to remember this, all of this takes the attention off nine felony charges against Michael Jackson. When is the last time you heard anyone really discuss what he faces from a legal standpoint? It's all about these sidebar issues now. And Mark Geragos, it made me style that he used the word spin. God love him, he's the master of spin, and so I think he knows that this is happening.

HEMMER: The only problem with all of us discussing this in the way we are, Nation of Islam has denied this involvement. Why would they do that if indeed everything is true that we're talking about.

LALAMA: Well, I think what they're saying is that they're denying involvement in actually making legal decisions. But, you know, look, Mark Geragos knows what he's doing. I'm sure that maybe they're in on a couple of meetings, that they advise on a couple of matters. But I have to believe he's calling the shots.

HEMMER: Thanks, Pat. Pat Lalama, congratulations on your Buckeyes. They're my Buckeyes, too, by the way.

LALAMA: I know, that's why I said it.

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