Did you know?1. John Branca did NOT own 5% of the ATV catalog. His firm, Ziffren, Brittenham LLP did.
Notice that this letter sent to Charles Koppelman, even AFTER Branca was no longer representing Michael, states "THIS FIRM'S INTEREST"?
In his rebuttal to the Wrap series done on him last year, Branca's attorney stated that "Branca's fee would have gone to his firm, not directly into his pocket." The letter above, seems to confirm what Branca claims.
2. Michael Jackson's Number Ones compilation album was released in November, 2003. On the inside slider, there is a special section, in which Michael states, "This album is dedicated to those who remember when and those who are still on the journey...John Branca, from the days of when to THE PRESENT...Thank you for the years. I love you, Michael Jackson." (He also thanks John McClain) Remember, this is late 2003, months after Branca was fired, yet he thanks Branca for his past, as well as his present service?
3. Juval Aviv, who runs Interfor, the corporate intelligence agency that Michael Jackson hired to investigate Tommy Mottola and John Branca, is also referred to as "Agent Schmuck". Although Aviv claims he was an assassin for the Israeli government, the Intelligence Committe of the State of Israel denies it.
"In fact, (a representative) added, the closest that Aviv ever came to intelligence work was as a security official for an El Al office in New York. 'His work in that capacity was terminated at the initiative of the employer because of unsuitability resulting from negative character traits,' (the rep) wrote. During the course of his work Yuval [sic] Aviv was found to be unreliable and dishonest."
While the Interfor report exonerated Branca, it is still important to note that the U.S. government states that Aviv is "full of shit."
As far as those that say, OK...maybe Branca did work for Jackson until 2006. However since he was fired in 2003, and asked to give back all copies of Jackson's documents, Branca is no longer the valid executor of the Estate. I say, how do they know that? Have they seen those documents?
There is simply no way for any person except those that are inextricably involved to state that John Branca is not the valid administrator of the Michael Jackson Estate. Unless they were in that courtroom, it's mere speculation. The difference between those who believe that Branca is the valid executor of the will, and those who don't, is that the L.A. judiciary backs Branca's claim.
9 comments:
Justice, we have all read the will and everyone has an opinion on validity. I did notice that Michael included Branca on his November 2003 dedications on No. One's. Would he have been so gracious if he were ad odds with Branca? I think not. And the initial letter "firing" Branca, at least the version I have seen, is undated and has as a return address "Aventura, FL", which is the home of Al Malnik. Why would that be and is the letter legitimate? If that letter did actually "fire" Branca, Michael did rehire him later that year. As for the will, itself, if Michael did not want Branca to be his executor, he would have had to sign either codicil removing him, or an entirely new will. Where are either? As for Branca being in possession of the will after Michael's death, it's customary for the executor to have the will, or at least a copy, if not the original after it's executed. If anyone has/had another more recent will, it would have appeared in 2009, IMO.
A thought I have about the whole firing/rehiring issue of Branca is simply this... Michael Jackson was rather credited for being a VERY intelligent person and businessman. What if... Michael's "firing/rehiring" of Branca was simply an effort to lay a trap for those who were truly guilty of stealing money and whatnotall from him? Think on this a bit more deeply and carefully... Michael and Branca BOTH knew that Branca was being targeted by certain parties because he knew that MJ was being ripped off and screwed over. The problem at that time was by who/whom? Eventually Wisener, and such were exposed and consequently fired. Well... let's take a deeper look. What if, Michael preferred for "security reasons", to keep Branca in the position of "lurking in the shadows" rather than being in the forefront, ever since 2006, only to bring Branca back into the forefront in 2009??? You have to admit it... Michael could have easily done this.
For further clarification of my thoughts on this, think along the lines of "When the cat is away... the mice will play.". With that in mind, with most thinking that Branca was finished in all things MJ, this indeed created a false sense of security and feeling safe for those who were out to ruin Michael, to go ahead, and make their moves. Hmm...
Michael Jackson's Will that was signed in July 2002 is apparently his last Will, and on top of that it is a Pour Over Will that is designed to take assets from his estate (meaning things titled in his individual name or as a tenant in common) and put them inside the Michael Jackson Family Trust, a Revocable Living Trust that has become irrevocable now that Jackson is dead. With that said, Michael Jackson's Will isn't the relevant legal document - the Michael Jackson Family Trust is. And even if the 2002 Will is found to be invalid, that doesn't mean the trust is invalid.
Branca and McClain were named in the Will and in the Trust.
Thank you for your insight, Susan.
But why did have Michael these posts on his wall in his sleeping room, La Toya found where he stated he hated Branca for billing him double and tripple ? What ia this ? What do think about this ? Is Mr. Branca honest?
IF LaToya found these notes, where are they? Why wouldn't she have taken those notes to someone to have them verified as MJ's signature, and then on to the LA courthouse? THREE separate courts found that Branca was in fact, the legitimate executor of Michael's will/trust...
It's my opinion that it's very easy to speculate, but much harder to prove that Branca is dishonest. 99% of what I see Branca being accused of is stuff that has been twisted to fit the view of a pre-set opinion.
Now we have proof that Branca was still working for MJ in 2003.
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