Scandal breaks out after attempt to kidnap Katherine Jackson, the star’s mother

Jul 25, 2012 09:44 GMT  ·  By
Blanket, Paris and Prince Jackson with their grandmother and guardian Katherine Jackson
   Blanket, Paris and Prince Jackson with their grandmother and guardian Katherine Jackson

The Jackson family is again in the headlines but, this time, it has nothing to do with music or Michael's legacy. It's all about the money, with various reports saying several of the Jacksons are trying to get their hands on it using whatever means available to them.

It all started several days ago, when Janet, Jermaine, Randy and Tito all signed a letter asking the current executors of the Michael Jackson Estate to step down from their position because they were mishandling money.

The Estate made an estimated $500 million (€414.3 million) since the star's death, money that goes to his children, Prince, Paris and Blanket by will. The kids' grandmother Katherine is their guardian until they come of age.

The aforementioned Jacksons also claimed that the Estate executors were putting Katherine under so much pressure because of the money that her health also took a turn for the worse, prompting an angry reply on Twitter from Paris, calling them all liars.

Things got even more complicated afterwards – so complicated that it's almost hard to believe this is the same – apparently united – family as before.

Katherine Jackson was reported missing (Paris also tweeted about it), with the police eventually tracking her down in Arizona with daughter Rebbie.

Word has it Randy and Jermaine are pressuring her to come out against the Estate, so that they be named executors.

The other day, police was called to the family compound after one Jackson called to report an assault. TMZ says there was actual punching and slapping. Janet slapped Paris – and Paris did the same.

From reports available online, it becomes clear that Janet, Jermaine and Randy took Katherine to Arizona to get her to change her mind about the executors.

Michael's children and Katherine's own attorney believe this is a plot to get their hands on the money, money which rightfully belongs to the 3 minors.

The Jackson siblings are angry that Michael left nothing to them, so they want to be named executors so they can cut for themselves a lion's share of the massive profits his music has been generating.

While speculation has it that Katherine could lose the custody of the 3 kids, TJ Jackson, Tito's son, has filed the papers to be granted temporary guardianship of them.

Below is a GMA report based on surveillance tapes at the family compound, showing Janet Jackson trying to take Paris' phone and then filming her on her own device as she's walking away.