Reply #156: He's the one degree of separation

[Patsy Stone]

between Hillary and Michael Jackson for one thing.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8149929/

Michael Jackson also sought financial advice from longtime friend and Los Angeles billionaire Ron Burkle, who suggested he hold on to the catalog, according to a source close to the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Burkle was in New York and couldn't be immediately reached for comment, his spokesman said.

In April, the pop star faced the possibility of losing the catalog to foreclosure when he was a day late making a full $3 million payment to Bank of America, said the Rev. Jackson, who met with the president of the bank on behalf of the singer.

The move, combined with efforts by Burkle, "worked out well and Michael no longer has a cash flow problem," the Rev. Jackson said. "It was really unnecessary for any kind of a foreclosure. But if the foreclosure had taken place, it would have had an impact on Michael's catalog. His whole financial empire would come crumbling down."