Jackson ordered to pay law firm $175,000
Judgment means pop singer’s bill with attorneys totals more than $430,000
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Superior Court Judge James Chalfant's order means Jackson's legal bill to the firm, Ayscough & Marar, now totals more than $430,000. The firm sued Jackson in February 2006, claiming he didn't pay for services it rendered on his behalf.
The firm said it had obtained court orders to delay discovery in civil cases and kept information from being released during the singer's 2005 child molestation trial, according to the lawsuit.
Monday's award compensates the law firm for having to hire a lawyer to sue Jackson. The firm had asked for nearly $450,000.
"We're very happy with today's outcome," Jackson's attorney Thomas Mundell said.
Asked whether his client would pay the firm, Mundell said "You'd have to ask him that."
Brent Ayscough, a partner at the law firm, said Jackson hasn't paid any of the money due.
"That's quite a lot of money for not paying his bills," Ayscough said.
The award will continue to increase annually at a rate of 10 percent until Jackson pays it off.
Jackson countersued the firm last year, claiming that one of the firm's lawyers threatened to expose confidential information about him to the media.
Chalfant dismissed Jackson's suit, saying it lacked merit.
A jury last year awarded Schaffel $900,000, but directed him to pay Jackson $200,000 to satisfy a countersuit alleging Schaffel misappropriated funds.
Jackson, 49, was acquitted of the molestation charges.
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