According to an Associated Press story released today, "J. Marc Shaffel," "a former producer and business associate of Michael Jackson" is suing the pop star for millions of dollars in unpaid loans and producing fees.
Shaffel, known as Fred Shaffel, is the real name of Marc Fredrics, a gay-film director prominent in the early 1990s credited with discovering star Rex Chandler. The lawsuit and Shaffel's association with Michael Jackson have no relation to the gay XXX industry.
Among Shaffel's complaints is his contention that he is still owed money for producing two television specials that aired early last year. The specials were intended to counter unfavorable televised interviews with a British journalist.
Shaffel's monetary claims against Jackson, enumerated in the lawsuit, amount to more than $3 million.
