.

Concert Company Denies Claims Over Jackson's Death

AEG Live reject Katherine Jackson's claims that they choose Dr. Conrad Murray and pressured Jackson despite his illness

By 
September 17, 2010 2:33 PM ET

AEG Live — the concert promoter behind the shows Michael Jackson planned before his death — has roundly rejected the claims by Michael's mother Katherine, who filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the company, blaming them for hiring Dr. Conrad Murray and forcing Jackson to rehearse even though he was ill. In a statement, AEG called the lawsuit "inaccurate, unsubstantiated and meritless," Billboard.biz reports.

Look back at Michael Jackson's life in photos.

AEG Live's main issue: the allegation that the company brought on Murray, who has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in Jackson's death. "Dr. Murray was Michael's personal physician," AEG said. "Michael wanted him to go to London and asked AEG to pay for him as an expense of the tour. We would have preferred to hire a doctor in London, as it would have been more cost effective, but Michael insisted on Dr. Murray."

Michael Jackson: The Rolling Stone Covers

AEG Live is still linked to the Michael Jackson estate through some business affairs (the two created the concert rehearsal film This Is It), so the company refused further comment on the lawsuit.

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