Katherine Jackson to pay $800,000 to AEG Live

Katherine Jackson has been ordered by a US court to pay AEG Live $800,000 or costs defending the failed negligence case she brought against the concert promoter.

AEG Live was cleared of liability over the 2009 death of Michael Jackson in a five-month trial last October.

The company had sought $1.2 million to cover costs, but Katherine Jackson’s lawyers claimed it was not justified.

Both parties agreed not to challenge the court’s decision, but may appeal.

The exact amount to be paid is expected to be finalized after AEG Live submits an amended list of its costs for items such as court filing fees and travel.

AEG Live’s lawyer Marvin Putnam said the court did the right thing “by ordering Katherine Jackson to pay nearly $1 millio spent in having to defend a matter that she should have never brought in the first place”.

Katherine Jackson’s lawyer Kevin Boyle said the costs would be borne by her and the singer’s three children, all of whom are supported by his estate.

Kevin Boyle added a decision on whether to appeal against the order would be made after AEG Live’s costs were finalized.

The Jackson family sued AEG Live in 2010 claiming it negligently hired and supervised cardiologist Conrad Murray, who gave Michael a lethal dose of the anaesthetic propofol as a sleep aid during his planned comeback tour.

However, a jury concluded the doctor was not unfit or incompetent to do his job and so AEG Live had not been negligent in hiring him.

Conrad Murray – who was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for administering the drug – was released from jail last October.