Posted Jul 4th 2009 5:00AM by TMZ Staff
A doctor who has treated Michael Jackson, went on tour with Jackson and even videotaped Jackson's wedding to Debbie Rowe, was reprimanded by the Medical Board of California for writing fraudulent prescriptions for Michael's sister, Janet.
Dr. Allan Metzger received a public letter of reprimand from the Medical Board in September, 2000. The letter states, "You engaged in fraudulent medical practice based on prescriptions written for an international entertainer, using a false/fictitious name." Dr. Metzger told us the entertainer is Janet Jackson.
Dr. Metzger is a lupus specialist -- Michael Jackson reportedly had the disease. Dr. Metzger traveled with Jackson during the HIStory Tour in 1996.
Dr. Metzger told us in the late 90s, he wrote prescriptions for Janet Jackson using the name of her private chef, Ricardo Macchi. Dr. Metzger told us the prescriptions were for diuretics. He also wrote a prescription for a hepatitis B injection -- he says he wrote it because Janet was going on tour and wanted to guard against the disease. Again, the name on the prescription was Ricardo Macchi, even though it was for Janet.
Dr. Metzger told us, "I had done this for Janet for her anonymity."
Macchi sued Dr. Metzger but the Dr. says the suit was dropped and no money was paid out.
As for Michael, Dr. Metzger says, "I have not treated Michael Jackson for many years." Metzger says he has talked to Jackson on the phone over the years, even giving him medical advice. As for whether Dr. Metzger prescribed meds for Jackson, he wouldn't say: "I am not at liberty to discuss Michael's medical care." We asked if he ever prescribed meds to Michael using an alias. His response: "I have not treated him for ages." Metzger said he last spoke with Michael in April. The doctor says he talked to Jackson about the tour, his children, nutrition and hydration.
Dr. Metzger added, "I have nothing to do with this tragedy with Michael. I have not prescribed any medication in relation to what happened to him."
Posted Jul 4th 2009 4:50AM by TMZ Staff
How'd you like to have had Michael Jackson by your side when you exchanged your wedding vows?
Check out this photo of Michael Jackson with his probate lawyer, John Branca, at Branca's wedding in 1987. Jackson served as best man.
Branca worked for Jackson from 1980-2006, and was then re-hired by Jackson just a few months ago. Branca is the lawyer who filed Jackson's will.
Filed under: Michael Jackson
Posted Jul 4th 2009 4:47AM by TMZ Staff
Michael Jackson is clearly the international star in death that he was in life -- the memorial lottery is now open to the world.
Initially, only U.S.residents qualified for the ticket drawing to score seats for Tuesday's Staples Center memorial. But now the folks putting it together have decided to open up registration to all earthly beings, saying, "Additional legal terms have been incorporated into the conditions of entry to allow non-U.S. residents the opportunity to register for the random ticket drawing."
The drawing closes tonight at 6:00 PM PT. Click here to register.
Filed under: Michael Jackson
Posted Jul 4th 2009 4:45AM by TMZ Staff
No one enjoys freedom more than celebrities -- as you can see by this group of newly single celebs who'll be setting off Fourth of July fireworks all by their lonesome.
Filed under: Dirty Divorces, Photo Galleries
Posted Jul 4th 2009 4:42AM by TMZ Staff
Michael Jackson made the rounds at L.A. doctors' offices, often getting anesthesia for minor outpatient procedures -- procedures that did not require anesthesia.
Medical sources say Jackson would get cosmetic surgery, collagen injections, Botox and acne treatment for which he would often be put under or sedated, even when it was not medically necessary.
One medical source described Jackson as "an anesthesia addict."
We're also told Jackson would get controlled substances, such as Demerol, during and after these minor procedures.
The question now -- which docs were happy to oblige the singer?
As we first reported, police found the anesthesia Propofol in Jackson's house after he died, and it's looking like that's the drug that killed him.
Filed under: Michael Jackson
Posted Jul 4th 2009 4:40AM by TMZ Staff
Frederick Koehler is best known for playing Chip on the '80s TV series "Kate & Allie." Guess what he looks like now!
Filed under: TV, Beauty, 'Memba Them?!
Posted Jul 4th 2009 4:25AM by TMZ Staff
The most foul, regrettable party pictures poured in for our 21st Birthday Contest -- so watch out ... just clicking through the pics could give you a hangover!
**Be sure to check back on Monday to help decide who is going to score the $250 prize!**
Posted Jul 3rd 2009 7:41PM by TMZ Staff
In pure Billy Mays fashion, all of Billy's pallbearers wore OxiClean button up shirts during his funeral in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania today.
Mays died on Sunday morning in his sleep -- an autopsy suggested he died from complications due to heart disease.
Filed under: R.I.P., Billy Mays
Posted Jul 3rd 2009 2:55PM by TMZ Staff
Failed vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin sure likes to finish what she starts ... she just announced she's stepping down as Governor of Alaska later this month.
Palin also said she won't seek a second term in 2010 -- Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell is set to take her place.
It's not clear exactly why she's turning her back on the citizens of Alaska, but people suspect she has her sights set on the White House in 2012.
Posted Jul 3rd 2009 2:41PM by TMZ Staff
A spokesperson for Lloyd's of London tells us she's never heard of a case where her company has insured someone for a drug overdose.
AEG, the company that was promoting Jackson's London concerts, claimed yesterday the policy it took out from Lloyd's did not cover death from natural causes but did cover overdoses.
Louise Shield -- the head of communications for Lloyd's of London -- tells us such a policy is "odd" and that she's never heard the company insuring for drug overdoses.
What's more -- Shield says the company typically requires a "medical assessment" .... a physical before the policy is written.
As we first reported, Jackson's body had dozens of injection sites in various places. So the question -- how could a policy be issued with clear evidence of a problem?
Shield would not comment on the policy, and found it strange AEG discussed it publicly. She's not saying if overdoses were covered or not.
Filed under: Michael Jackson
Posted Jul 3rd 2009 2:07PM by TMZ Staff
The Rachel for men is dead.
Zac Efron has finally cut his wispy, banged, accidentally/on purpose messy, gelled man-shag.
That noise you hear is the sound of millions of tween girls (and some boys) screaming in the streets.
Filed under: Paparazzi Photo, Beauty, Zac Efron
Posted Jul 3rd 2009 1:03PM by TMZ Staff
Jack Nicholson proved how crazy he is for his favorite baseball team, by reprising his infamous character from "The Shining" on the Jumbotron at the new Yankee Stadium yesterday.
Unfortunately the Yankees lost 8-4 to the Mariners. Redrum.
Filed under: Paparazzi Photo, Talk Sports
Posted Jul 3rd 2009 12:04PM by TMZ Staff
Michael Jackson's memorial service will be held at two separate venues on Tuesday morning -- the main event will be at the Staples Center and a simulcast will play at the Nokia Theatre.
A lottery has been set up for fans to obtain the free tickets -- and they can sign up for the random drawing on the Staples Center website ... good luck logging on.
17,500 tickets are available for the event -- 11,000 for Staples and 6,500 for Nokia -- which will be divvied out 2 per person. If you are one of the 8,750 people selected, you will then be alerted on Sunday with further instructions.
Oh yeah ... only U.S. residents can apply.
Also, the family wouldn't say if Michael's body would be at the memorial.
Filed under: Michael Jackson
Posted Jul 3rd 2009 11:30AM by TMZ Staff
AEG took out a hefty insurance policy in case Michael Jackson's 50 London concerts fell through -- turns out the policy covered an MJ overdose.
AEG's chief executive Randy Phillips said the $17.5 million insurance policy from Lloyd's of London didn't cover a death from natural causes.
Phillips said the policy would still fall short of the money spent on Jackson's advance, producing the show, covering some of MJ's debts and paying his staff and rent -- which cost between $25 and $30 million.
Filed under: Michael Jackson
Posted Jul 3rd 2009 11:25AM by TMZ Staff
Brad Pitt's bike broke down yesterday -- so he hopped a ride with some photogs (not us) so he could get to a very important meeting. Now here's the rub -- he didn't want to be filmed even though he was in a car full of pappers.
Filed under: Brad & Angelina
