Former porn producer says star is dogged by drug, money problems.
NOVEMBER 17--
Claiming that Michael Jackson is a drug- and booze-impaired deadbeat, a former business associate yesterday sued the singer for more than $3 million in unpaid loans and producing fees. In a blistering Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit, a copy of which you'll find below, Marc Schaffel claims that the star's need to hit him up for cash "accelerated when Jackson's increasingly more frequent excessive use of drugs and alcohol impelled him into irrational demands for large amounts of money and extravagant possessions." Those bizarre purchases included luxury cars (a Bentley and a Rolls), a $600,000 bauble for Elizabeth Taylor, and a $1 million appearance fee for Marlon Brando. Schaffel also claims that, following the September 11 attacks, he gave Jackson $500,000 in "emergency cash," because the performer thought he might need to "take shelter underground somewhere with his family." Before entering Jackson's inner circle a few years ago, Schaffel was best known as a producer of gay porno films like "Cocktales" and "Man With The Golden Rod." According to Santa Barbara prosecutors, Schaffel plotted with Jackson to silence the boy who last year accused the singer of sexual molestation. While not charged, Schaffel has been named as an "unindicted coconspirator" in the indictment. (12 pages)
