Michael Jackson

Pop/R&B singer Michael Jackson is suing his former accountants, claiming they withdrew $2.5 million a year from his bank accounts but did not properly pay his bills. Jackson and his production company, MJJ Productions Inc., filed the lawsuit against Bernstein, Fox, Whitman, Goldman and Sloan yesterday at Los Angeles Superior Court.

The lawsuit claims the firm didn't keep Jackson informed of his financial affairs and committed negligence and breach of fiduciary duty. Jackson and his camp are calling for unspecified damages and a thorough audit of money paid to the company for services provided.

Earlier in 2006, Jackson's spokeswoman Raymone Bain revealed she suspected Jackson was being defrauded by business associates and advisers. She said in August (06), "Mr Jackson is neither shocked nor surprised by these revelations. He has long been suspicious that some of those whom he entrusted to act on his behalf, and to advise him with respect to his personal and business affairs, may not have always acted in his best interest."

The accountants also did not communicate directly with Jackson or keep him apprised of his financial affairs, according to the lawsuit.