Jackson Concert Promoter Discounts Mother's Suit

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A lawyer for the entertainment company sued by Michael Jackson's mother challenged the lawsuit Thursday and distanced AEG Live from the doctor charged in the singer's death.

"The lawsuit is inaccurate, unsubstantiated and meritless," attorney Marvin S. Putnam said in a statement released by AEG Live LLC.

Katherine Jackson sued AEG Live on Wednesday, claiming the promoter of her son's planned series of comeback concerts failed to provide key lifesaving equipment and adequately monitor the cardiologist hired to care for her son as he prepared for the shows.

She is seeking unspecified damages on behalf of herself and her son's three children.

Putnam's statement claimed the doctor, Conrad Murray, was acting as Jackson's personal physician and was not an AEG employee.

"Dr. Murray was Mr. Jackson's longtime personal physician," the statement said. "AEG did not choose him, hire him or supervise him."

Putnam said there would be no further public comments on the lawsuit.

Murray has pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the death of Jackson in June 2009. Police said Murray gave Jackson an overdose of the anesthetic propofol.

He is not a named defendant in the lawsuit.

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