The Price Is Right

Michael Jackson pays a hefty settlement to his boy accuser. But what does it settle?

THE OTHER GLOVE FINALLY dropped. Last week representatives of Michael Jackson and the 14-year-old boy who accused him of sexual molestation agreed to settle the boy's civil suit. No promises were put in writing -- and no judge would tolerate such promises -- but it was understood that the boy will not testify in pending criminal investigations of Jackson being pursued by the Los Angeles and Santa Barbara district attorneys. Meanwhile, the star gets to maintain his innocence. The price tag was estimated between $15 million and $50 million -- part paid in cash, part to be fed into a trust...

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