A civil case against Michael Jackson could be useless if the pop singer has no money, as some news outlets are reporting.

According to the AP, Jackson needed a loan to pay off his Neverland Ranch, and still had to cut staff and move some of his animals out of his zoo.

Meanwhile, CBS reports that some staff members have not been paid, so staff held a “sickout” in protest.

“He is in debt to the tune of $300 million and has liabilities close to $400 million,” said Gordon Auchincloss, the Assistant District Attorney.

Prosecutors are asking for Jackson’s financial records. They say his lack of funds drove him to force his accuser’s family to help him earn back public support after the Martin Bashir documentary aired two years ago, the one where he said he sleeps in the same bed as children. It’s also the one where he is shown holding hands with the boy who is accusing him of child molestation, serving alcohol to a minor, and other charges. Jackson has pled not guilty. The case resumes Monday after a day off on Friday.

Friday, though the trial was on recess, motions were filed. One very important motion granted that will affect all of America was allowing Jay Leno to joke about Jackson. All of the potential witnesses, including Leno, were on a gag order, preventing the host to joke about Jackson. Last night, he went wild, dedicating his whole monologue to Jackson jokes. In the previous two weeks, he had guest comedians join him onstage during the monologue and say his jokes for him.

Jackson’s lawyers tried to prevent the jokes, but they stood no chance.

“I’d like him to tell good jokes … but I guess I can’t control that,” joked Judge Rodney Melville.

One of his lawyers, Robert Sanger, is trying to prevent his financial records from entering the trial, saying his current troubles have nothing to do with what happened in 2003, the year under focus in the trial.

Jackson meanwhile was not in court Friday for the motions. A spokesperson said Jackson is still recuperating from a back injury that made him late on Thursday. He showed up over an hour late at the threat of jail time, wearing pyjamas and slippers.






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