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Jackson attorney defends singer 2007-01-01

Michael Jackson's attorney has defended the superstar saying he is not anti-Semitic.

The eccentric singer was ordered earlier this week to apologise to America's Jewish community after allegedly branding them "leeches". In a recorded telephone call from 2003, aired by US TV network ABC, the star is heard saying Jewish members of the music industry had conspired against him to wreck his career

On the recorded message left for former adviser, Dieter Wiesner, Jackson says: "They suck them [stars] like leeches. They start out the most popular person in the world, make a lot of money, big house, cars and everything and end up penniless

"It's a conspiracy. The Jews do it on purpose"

Now Jackson's attorney Brian Oxman, who is Jewish himself, has defended the 'Billie Jean' singer, insisting he has never experienced any anti-Semitism from the star, or any members of the Jackson family, during his time working for him.

Oxman, who doesn't dispute it is the pop legend's voice on the recorded message, said: "I have been with the Jackson family for 15 years, and I'm Jewish I have never once seen anything anti-Semitic from him or from his family"


Jackson is yet to respond to calls from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) to publicly apologise for his comments.