How many rings can a circus have? Especially a tabloid freak show like the Michael Jackson affair? The star returned from medical seclusion in London to cooperate with authorities investigating sexual-abuse charges against him. But on his Neverland Ranch in California, Jackson seemed only the main attraction in a seven-ring circus of horror.
THE STAR. Jackson, secluded with an expanded law team, proclaimed his innocence in the civil suit brought by a 13-year-old boy who claims the star molested him. Investigators in Los Angeles and Santa Barbara counties have pressed no criminal charges against Jackson. But in the court of public opinion, the jury could be nearing a verdict. To many, the weight of accusations is starting to look like evidence.
THE ACCUSERS. Last week on the tabloid news show Hard Copy, Blanca Francia, who was Jackson's personal maid, proclaimed that the star showered and slept with boys -- giving them the nickname "Rubba," meaning he rubbed the boys against his genitals -- and may have abused these children, including her own son. Such assertions earned her 15 minutes of notoriety and a reputed five- figure honorarium. A judge refused to issue a gag order that might prevent ) others from telling all (or making it up) on TV.
THE LAWYERS. Larry Feldman, attorney for the 13-year-old boy who alleges Michael abused him, has deposed a score of potential witnesses: no other boys but many Neverland staff members. Francia was speaking to prosecutors by day and Hard Copy at night -- moonlighting that does not please the plaintiff's lawyer. "When you introduce money into a witness's testimony," Feldman says, "it gives the other side something to talk about." But he exudes confidence that he has a winning case, and a moral one. "So far, the focus has been on Michael Jackson. From my standpoint, the focus is this little kid who is scarred by these events."
THE FAMILY. Who needs prosecutors? Wayward sister LaToya said mother Katherine had called Michael a "damn faggot" even as Mom went on TV to defend him. But LaToya had her own problems. British Immigration officers detained her for 90 minutes, suspecting she was Michael in drag.
THE DOCTORS. Do some medics take the Hypocritical Oath? Or can a star get anything he wants? On Nov. 12 Jackson cut short his world concert tour after admitting addiction to legal painkillers. Several days before, he gave a taped deposition, played last week during a music-plagiarism suit, and the star's speech was vague, slurred, fretful and forgetful. Further questions are raised about the extensive plastic surgery performed by Dr. Steven Hoefflin, who has also worked on Michael's sisters, on the star's face and perhaps other parts of his body. Declares a rival plastic surgeon, Dr. Wallace Goodstein: "LaToya is mutilated. Hoefflin is a mirror of Michael and LaToya's character disorders. He has etched the abuse of their childhoods into their faces."