Michael Jackson is being sued after taking $7 million from a sheikh. The fallen pop star was said to be so short of money he was forced to ask for financial help from Sheikh Abdulla Al-Khalifa - the son of the King of Bahrain - to pay off spiraling debts.
But the prince claims Michael pulled out of a signed agreement to make two new albums under his record label 2 Seas and is demanding he repay the money.
Bankim Thanki QC, the sheikh's lawyer, said at London's High Court: "The idea was to create a new recording label to kick start his musical career."
"He displayed a distinct lack of gratitude for all the things that were done for him."
Michael, 50, insists the money was given to him as a "gift" and claims he did not read the terms and conditions or seek legal advice before signing the contract - which also required him to write an autobiography and pen a stage show.
The $7 million included approximately $35,000 in utility bills for his Neverland estate, a 10-day Paris hotel bill of $160,000, bank funds of $980,000, court costs during his child abuse case in 2005 totaling $2.25 million, $500,000 living expenses during six months in the Middle East as well as Italian and U.K. holidays coming to $350,000.
The sheikh is also believed to have paid for a new recording studio at Michael's Neverland ranch - which the "Thriller" singer was recently forced to sell after struggling to pay maintenance costs.
The cash-strapped star - who is due to give evidence at the 12-day hearing via a video link - was introduced to Sheikh Abdulla by his brother Jermaine in 2004.
The billionaire royal had also written a charity song for Michael to sing to raise funds for victims of Asia's 2004 December tsunami and Hurricane Katrina in the U.S.
The hearing continues Tuesday.
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