MIJAC TRYING TO HALT AUCTION OF FAMILY ITEMS: Memorabilia originates from warehouse claimed by NJ construction owner.
April 7, 2007 by Staff
Filed under Entertainment
     (Akiit.com) About 1,100 items owned by Michael Jackson and his famous family members will hit the auction block next month unless the King of Pop follows through with legal action to stop it.    Â
     “Mr. Jackson was not aware and he is extremely upset that his memorabilia was included amongst the memorabilia that is being auctioned off,” said spokeswoman Raymone K. Bain in a statement.
     The collection – featuring such items as Jackson’s gold record for his “Thriller” album, handwritten lyrics for The Jackson Five hit “ABC” and a “Victory Tour” program signed by Jackson family members – was owned by luggage transportation company Universal Express Inc., of Boca Raton, Fla., which bought it last year from a New Jersey construction company owner.
     The former owner, Henry Vaccaro, claimed the warehouse full of Jackson memorabilia after a failed business venture wound up in bankruptcy court. Michael and his sister Janet tried to sue Vacarro to prevent him from taking ownership, but Michael’s claim was thrown out of court in 2006. The status of Janet Jackson’s claim was unclear Wednesday, reports AP.
     The Jacksons Auction is scheduled to take place May 30-31 at the Hard Rock hotel resort in Las Vegas, the city where Jackson has been living since returning to the U.S. late last year.
     Guernsey’s auction house said other items up for bid include a test pressing of The Jackson Five’s “I Want You Back,” Marlon Jackson’s glitter jacket, Randy Jackson’s futuristic 1984 stage boots and a white fedora believed to be from Michael Jackson’s “Bad” album music video.