Comments (0)Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
MJ’s List
September 21, 2009We thought they were all pals – and Jewish pals, no less.
But it turns out that author and TV personality Rabbi Shmuely Boteach and Israeli-born illusionist Uri Geller were not FOMJ (Friends of Michael Jackson) in good standing.
In fact, they were both on the late King of Pop’s “enemy list.”
Jacko’s former manager, Dieter Wiesner, recently revealed that The Thriller kept such a list, a la Richard Nixon, comprised of folks that the singer felt were out to wreck his life.
“I’d ask him, `Michael, what are you doing?’” Mr. Wiesner said, recalling that Jackson responded, “These people are after me and they want to destroy my life.”
Part of the reason for Jackson’s dismay with Rabbi Boteach and Mr. Geller were that they were reportedly honest and confrontational with him about their concerns about his lifestyle, particularly his use of certain narcotics.
Mr. Geller has also said publicly that his relations with MJ went south in 2002 after Martin Bashir made a documentary on Jackson that the superstar absolutely loathed. Geller initially introduced Jackson to Mr. Bashir.
Also on the list, according to Mr. Wiesner, were L.A. District Attorney Tom Sneddon, who charged Jackson with child molestation back in ‘93, lawyer Gloria Allred, who raised questions regarding Jackson’s parenting abilities, and record biz exec Tommy Mottola.