Jacko's Bail Thanks to Reputed Mobster?
Michael Jackson's finances are a little better than we thought. That may be because Miami loan king Al Malnik is on his side.
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| Nov. 20: A Santa Barbara sheriff's office mug shot shows Michael Jackson |
On the new "Greatest Hits" album, Malnik's name is one of the few who are mentioned under "special thanks" from the singer.
Malnik was the lawyer for late mobster Meyer Lansky, and when Lansky died in 1983, Reader's Digest called Malnik the mobster's "heir apparent," a moniker that has been repeated frequently.
Malnik has become very close to Jackson in recent years. And according to my sources, he's loaned Jackson money lots of it.
The 69-year-old lawyer is the owner of a famous restaurant called The Forge in Miami. But his real business is loaning money just what Jackson needs right now.
Malnik's firm, Title Loans of America, is a national chain of loan stores that makes money from the interest charged on quick cash offered to people who need it fast, according to The Palm Beach Post.
The New York Times reported in 2000 that Malnik was cited by the New Jersey Casino Control Commission in 1980 and 1992 as "a person of unsuitable character."
Malnik is popular on the Miami social scene with his new wife Nancy, and he has always denied mob ties. He was arrested and tried in April 1969 for income-tax evasion, but was subsequently acquitted, according to The Miami Herald.
Calls to Malnik at The Forge went unreturned.
At Last! The Dells Enter the Rock Hall of Fame
It was very nice to get a call from Suzan Evans, head of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, yesterday morning. She knew that I was particularly interested in making sure The Dells, the longest-running R&B group with original members, were finally inducted. It had been a major point of our lunch last month.
"Good news," she said. Marvin Junior the magnificently gifted, 70-year-old lead singer finally gets his due along with the rest of the group. I can only hope they perform "Stay in My Corner" at the ceremony on March 15, 2004.
The rest of the inductees include some whom I applaud, others I might question. There are still no women on the list. But Traffic, a very important group, finally made it. "John Barleycorn Must Die" was a watershed album, as was "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys." It's about time.
Of course George Harrison was voted in. ZZ Top and Jackson Browne are of considerably less interest to me, but the others are good enough that I won't mind.
The Rock Hall, Evans said, is indeed actively interested in giving financial help to rock artists who are in need of medical and living expenses. I have already contacted the friends of Mike Smith, lead singer of the Dave Clark Five, and advised them to call Evans immediately.
If there are other musicians out there from any and all acts in the rock era who need help or information, you can contact this column or Evans directly through Wenner Media or Atlantic Records in New York.
Don't be shy; they have a lot of money to give away if the request is substantiated.
And no, Michael Jackson's legal bills cannot be reimbursed by the Foundation.
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