Financial Trouble for Michael Jackson?

March 9, 2005 — -- Michael Jackson did not pay some of his employees at his Neverland ranch last week, ABC News has been told, and sources say an emergency financial meeting involving the "King of Pop's" family was called.

On the surface, everything appears normal at Jackson's Neverland ranch, but sources told ABC News that Jackson missed last week's payroll for some of his employees. His alleged financial woes have caused tension in his family, sources told ABC News. Jackson's attorney, Thomas Mesereau Jr., told jurors in opening statements that the singer does not pay close attention to his finances, and sources said Jackson long ago turned over his financial matters to his younger brother Randy -- whom some have blamed for Jackson's cash shortfall.

Sources told ABC News the failure to pay some Neverland employees prompted an emergency financial meeting that included Jackson, his advisers and Randy Jackson via phone. The meeting ended, sources told ABC News, with Randy Jackson promising to sort matters out shortly.

In a statement to ABC News, Jackson spokeswoman Raymone Bain said, "This report is false and overstated. Mr. Jackson's employees have been with him for a very long time and are compensated for their work."

Bain also said there was no division in the Jackson family.

"In addition, the Jackson family has never severed its ties," Bain said. "Everyone is doing their job and supports each other. Michael has professional accountants who handle his finances."

Jackson is standing trial for allegedly molesting a now-15-year-old boy who spent time at his Neverland ranch. The boy, who was 13 at the time of the alleged molestation, is the cancer survivor who appeared with the singer in the 2003 British documentary "Living With Michael Jackson." Jackson, 46, has pleaded not guilty to 10 charges that include felony conspiracy with 28 overt acts involving child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion.

Santa Barbara County, Calif., prosecutors have made Jackson's finances an issue at trial. Prosecutor Tom Sneddon told jurors in opening statements that Jackson's career had stalled, leading to financial trouble, and suggested the singer was trying to use the alleged victim to show his benevolence to the downtrodden when he appeared with the boy in "Living With Michael Jackson."