Well, LA has called for an accounting for the $1.4 in costs.
Michael Jackson memorial 'ripped off' taxpayers
Los Angeles officials say the $1.4m bill for policing and traffic control at last week's memorial should be footed by either the Jackson family or concert promoter instead of the public
Michael Jackson's body rests inside a golden casket on the stage at the Staples Centre
Michael Jackson's body rests inside a golden casket at the Staples Centre. Photograph: Getty
Two Los Angeles officials have called for a review of city expenditures at last week's Michael Jackson memorial, claiming that taxpayers have been "ripped off".
Council members Dennis Zine and Jan Perry have asked Los Angeles administration to account for all spending "made in response to the public reaction to the passing of Michael Jackson". The cost of policing and traffic control for Tuesday's Staples Center service exceeded fears and has been reported at more than $1.4m (£864,000).
According to Zine, either the Jackson family or concert promoter AEG should foot the bill for these costs. "The city's contracting requirements must not become so onerous that taxpayers are left footing exorbitant bills from non-local businesses," he said.
AEG president Tim Leiweke has rejected the request, pointing out that AEG paid for the memorial itself. The event was attended by 17,000 fans who won free tickets in a lottery.
Los Angeles deployed thousands of police officers and emergency workers to manage the event and closed 10 miles of roads for the procession of Jackson's hearse. Though the mayor's office built a website to solicit donations for these costs, only $17,000 was collected before the site crashed.
Los Angeles is presently half a billion dollars in debt.
In arguing for a review of the city's expenditures, Zine cited a $48,826 (£30,154) sandwich order for some of the city's memorial support staff. The boxed lunches were ordered from a shop in Wrightwood, more than an hour outside Los Angeles. Zine also asked the city's chief legislative analyst to report on how vendors are selected for public use.
Council member Janice Hahn, however, had a different perspective on last week's memorial. She put forward a motion on Friday calling for an audit of the tourism benefits from the event. The memorial promoted Los Angeles as an important destination for Jackson fans, she said. "Los Angeles really looked good to the world."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009...memorial/print
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — The financial fallout from the Michael Jackson memorial service continues, with Los Angeles city officials calling for reviews on who should pick up the tab for municipal services related to the event.
Councilman Dennis Zine said Friday he wants a report on how much the city spent on police overtime, sanitation and traffic control for the service, which was attended by some 17,000 fans at the Staples Center on Tuesday. Zine says promoter AEG Live or the Jackson family should foot the city's $1.4 million bill.
Meanwhile, Councilwoman Janice Hahn has called for an accounting on how much tourism revenue was generated by visitors coming for the service.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entert...,4790415.story