L.A. pushes to get repaid for Jackson memorial

City attorney wants $3 million back even though event brought in $4 million

Interactive

Michael Jackson’s inner circle
The late singer had eight siblings, three children and two ex-wives, plus numerous doctors, advisers, and famous friends. Here's a look at who's who.

Celebrity video

Nick Cannon honors outstanding teens
Dec. 11: Nick Cannon, host of “America's Got Talent,” talks about the TeenNick HALO Awards, which honor remarkable teens who make a difference in their communities.

Kate Hudson on new flick ‘Nine’

13th woman linked to Tiger?

Eastwood, Freeman on new film

Celine Dion on her miscarriage

Taylor Lautner as Pee-Wee?

Slideshow

Best and worst celebrity fashions of 2009
From glamorous gowns to stylish suits to complete fashion failures, a look at the year so far.

more photos

updated 1:59 p.m. ET Nov. 17, 2009

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles city attorney still plans to seek reimbursement of the $3 million the city spent for the Michael Jackson memorial, a spokesman said Monday, despite an audit concluding the event pumped even more dollars into the local economy.

The July 7 memorial at Staples Center was a $4 million boon for local hotels, restaurants and other businesses, according to the report released Friday from the city’s chief legislative analyst and city administrative officer. The City Council’s Public Safety Committee was expected to review the report Monday.

City Attorney Carmen Trutanich is still committed to seeking reimbursement from Staples owner Anschutz Entertainment Group, or AEG.

Story continues below ↓

advertisement | your ad here

“The bottom line is the city attorney’s very committed to recouping the taxpayer’s dollars,” spokesman John Franklin said. “During these tough economic times right now, that’s big money. We’re laying off, people are getting furloughed. ... It’s still money that we put out for a memorial service for Michael Jackson.”

AEG President and Chief Executive Tim Leiweke has accused Trutanich of trying to bully the company into paying.

The audit said the city spent $3.2 million on the event, including $2 million in police overtime. However, it noted that there was no ordinance in place at the time that would require the organizer to reimburse city costs. That measure was only adopted on Oct. 26.

Given the memorial’s economic benefits and the lack of an ordinance, “the city may wish to cease pursuing cost reimbursement,” the report concluded.

Calls to representatives of AEG before work hours Monday were not immediately returned.

Jackson, 50, died of an overdose of sedatives on June 25. His star-studded memorial service at Staples Center brought in thousands of people to the city. The city had nearly 4,000 police out at the arena, the Jackson family compound in Encino and a cemetery deal with expected crowds. There were no reported problems.