By Karim Hammam
Paris Jackson has asked a court to reduce the compensation paid to John Branca, executor of her father Michael Jackson's estate, alleging he has paid himself over $100 million in two years.
The 28-year-old is seeking to incrementally reduce the executor's compensation for 2023 and 2024 from 15% to 10% of gross entertainment-related income. She claims Branca's payments exceed what any family member has received since her father's death 17 years ago.
Branca, 75, dismissed the accusations as "nonsensical." A representative for Paris Jackson said Branca has repeatedly failed to meet court-ordered deadlines for transparency, and that reducing the management fee is the only way to enforce compliance.
Background of Dispute
The estate was previously co-managed by Branca and former record executive John McClain until McClain's death in May at age 71. Since July, Paris Jackson has alleged irregular payments and accused the executors of mishandling funds and "skimming money." In April, she accused them of using estate funds to publicly insult her.
After months of court filings, the co-executors submitted an 83-page status report dismissing her claims. Paris's April 6 filing described the litigation as "waste" and said executors try to avoid merits by characterizing her concerns as lawyer-driven or media-seeking. She said the litigation is painful and a distraction from her career.
Paris's attorneys claimed that from the first day she raised objections, Branca and McClain used her father's money to attack her in the media.
