LOS ANGELES (AP) - June 18, 2010
AEG President Timothy J. Leiweke and Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said Friday in a joint statement that $1 million will be provided to the city's general fund, and the rest of the money will go to the Los Angeles Police Foundation for crime-fighting equipment.
"It was important to us that all parties agreed that this was not an obligation but a choice we believed was important to make at a time when thousands of city employees are being reduced," Leiweke said in the release.
Jim Bates, who handles media inquiries for the Jackson estate, said he would not comment beyond the release from AEG
.Critics took aim at the city for spending $3.2 million to support the memorial service last July 7 at AEG's Nokia Theater and Staples Center. Police overtime alone amounted to $2 million after they set up an elaborate security zone around the memorial site.
Jackson died of an overdose of sedatives, triggering a worldwide outpouring of grief.
