Michael Jackson closes Neverland, employees screwed, he's not coming back to US

buttmunch · March 17th, 2006, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Michael Jackson has shut down his Neverland Ranch for good. Employees were summoned to the ranch this afternoon in staggered groups, given back pay for 12 weeks through today, and were told the ranch had been shut down by the California Department of Labor.

In fact, Jackson made the decision to lay off more than 60 loyal staffers after making them wait through three months with no pay. Their health insurance ran out on February 28th. Last week, the State closed the ranch because Jackson carried no workmen's compensation.

Some of the employees of Neverland had been there with Jackson since he bought the place in the late 80s. A few actually had worked for the previous owner. They leave without pensions or the ability to apply for COBRA health insurance. All they can do now is apply for unemployment. My sources say many of them have already done that.

"It's unbelievable," says one longtime staffer. "We got nothing for the pain of what just happened, and nothing to see us through. Some of the people here are close to retirement age and they have nothing to retire on."

(Story continues below)

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Sources tell me Jackson, who may be in London tonight, has been living very well in the Middle East island country of Bahrain. Prince Abdullah has supplied him with a driver, a Bentley GT and a Rolls Royce Phantom. "He is not returning to the US," says a source who spoke with Jackson last weekend. In this country, Jackson faces several lawsuits as well as the foreclosure on $270 million of loans.

Still not clear is who paid the final back pay, which could have totaled $400,000. Jackson also has to pay the state two separate fines, one for $69,000 and another, to be determined on Friday, over $100,000.

"I will miss Neverland," my source concedes. "There were a lot of good times."

But now it's all over.

foxnews.com

MrsMarsters · March 17th, 2006, 05:01 AM

Didn't they work without getting paid for months?

buttmunch · March 17th, 2006, 06:18 AM

Yup. They probably thought he had cash stashed on the ranch and spent the last few months looking for it.

ediebrooks · March 17th, 2006, 06:34 AM

Michael Jackson is like a walking Enron.

Sojiita · March 17th, 2006, 06:45 AM

Well at least the state is making him pay them, even if they are getting laid off. I should have more sympathy for them, but they were working for Wacko Jacko and should have seen this shit coming. Really, how could ANYONE work for that pedophile prick and sleep at night with a clear conscience? Still it does suck for them but at least they are going to get that three months worth of money..and you know that Jacko will not be able to stop and is going to get his just desserts sooner or later and they can at least vicariously enjoy Jacko's complete demise(just like the rest of us will too!

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cheray · March 17th, 2006, 07:30 AM

But if he wasnt there they didnt have to look after him. They could have been lounging around on his couches and dancing and partying and eating what was left of the food, ( CHips twisties, lollies, or candy or what ever they call it.) Oh well maybe the pickings were slim, but at least they didnt have to wash his sheets or his jocks or pick up after his lazy ass.

aabbcc · March 17th, 2006, 07:32 AM

I don't see how this loser cannot be responsible for fucking anything just because he's not in the country. And why is anyone in Bahrain putting him up and paying his expenses? They should ship his deadbeat ass back to the US and lock him up with a big husky cellmate pronto.