In an interview with Geraldo Rivera of Fox News, Michael Jackson blames his fame for his troubles with the law.

?The bigger the star, the bigger the target,? he said, in the interview airing Saturday.

?I’m saying the fact that people come at celebrities, we’re targets.?

He also claims the reports about him in the media are false.

The judge in his child molestation case has banned anyone involved from speaking about the case, but allowed Jackson to issue a video statement last week and take part in the Rivera interview. He was not allowed to discuss details about the case.

Jackson did not speak in specifics about the case, but did deny guilt.

?It’s like watching science fiction – it’s not true,” he said.

Jackson said that he built his Neverland Ranch to enjoy childhood activities that he missed while he was with the Jackson 5.

“I created Neverland as a home for myself and my children … it gave me a chance to do what I couldn?t do when I was little. We couldn?t go to movie theaters. We couldn?t go to Disneyland. We couldn?t do all those fun things. We were on tour. We were working hard.

“And we did enjoy it,” he continues. “But this allowed me to have a place behind the gates where the entire world I love is there ….”

Jackson has been criticized for inviting children to spend time on the ranch.

?If I can open my gates and see that bliss, an explosion of screaming laughter from the children and they run on the rides, I say thank you God,” he says. “I feel I won God?s smile of approval, because I?m doing something that brings joy and happiness to other people.”

The trial began Monday with jury selection,






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