Michael Jackson settles lawsuit by antiques dealer

LOS ANGELES - Michael Jackson has settled out of court with a Los Angeles-area antiques dealer who sued the pop star over unpaid bills.

The Mayfair Gallery claimed that Jackson took home nearly US$380,000 (NZ$540,000) in merchandise in May 2004 - including a 13-branch candelabra, a French silver bread holder and a silver tea and coffee set - but paid the store only US$200,000.

"We resolved the lawsuit over the weekend. We settled it," Jackson attorney Brent Ayscough said, adding that no money was exchanged, but Jackson returned some of the furniture. An attorney for the gallery confirmed to reporters that the lawsuit had been settled.

Ayscough said the 47-year-old entertainer had not paid the full bill because he was dissatisfied with some of the items, believing that they were "not what they were represented to be."

Ayscough said he didn't know where the furniture had been since Jackson purchased it, but that it had not been used at his Neverland Valley Ranch.

Jackson, who was cleared of child molestation charges in June after a four-month trial, has spent much of his time since the verdict in Bahrain. Last week, his lawyers informed Santa Barbara County court officials that he no longer considered California his home.

Ayscough said he didn't know if Jackson had moved permanently to Bahrain or if the singer was considering selling Neverland.

- REUTERS