Paris Jackson has asked a Los Angeles court to reduce the compensation of John Branca, the executor of her late father Michael Jackson's estate. In a court filing reviewed by The Daily Mail, attorneys for the 28-year-old stated that Branca has repeatedly missed deadlines for submitting financial statements for the years 2023 and 2024, and that "the gap between executor’s level of compensation and his persistent incompetence is intolerable."
Paris's legal team proposed that Branca's compensation for 2023 and 2024 be reduced from 15 percent to 10 percent of the gross entertainment-related income as a measure to influence his conduct. They also claimed that Branca has demonstrated a "longstanding refusal, for the better part of a decade, to prioritize timely and complete reporting" of the estate's finances. This alleged mismanagement has led to "time-consuming litigation" and required Paris to "expend time and her own resources trying" to ensure Branca fulfills his responsibilities.
According to the filing, Branca is also seeking a payment of over $109 million for himself, his deceased co-executor John McClain, and his law firm for the period in question. Paris's legal team is requesting that the court award her attorneys' fees and costs, asserting that her actions are ultimately beneficial to the estate.
A spokesperson for Paris Jackson stated that "enough of the smoke and mirrors — Paris is asking to reduce the management fee." The spokesperson added that Branca "has repeatedly failed to meet deadlines ordered by the judge that are in place to provide Paris and her siblings visibility about how the estate is being run." The spokesperson also noted that "since money is what motivates executor Branca, this is the only way to enforce the timeline he agreed to."
Representatives for Michael Jackson's estate, however, called the motion "completely without merit, nor is it argued on facts." They clarified that the executors waived executor compensation from the estate's inception and have never taken any. Instead, they are paid a separate, court-ordered management fee for operating the "hugely successful Michael Jackson business." The estate's representatives also called the motion "nonsensical" for seeking penalties for accountings that have already been filed or are not yet due.
Branca's team has previously highlighted that under his management, the estate's value has grown from a $500 million debt to more than $2 billion.
Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009, at the age of 50. His death was later ruled a homicide resulting from acute propofol intoxication, administered by his personal doctor, Conrad Murray. Murray was convicted of involuntary manslaughter in 2011.
Jackson, an iconic figure in music, achieved immense success throughout his career, winning 13 Grammy Awards and receiving numerous other accolades, including induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.