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Paris Jackson’s $65 Million Tantrum: Family Power Struggles Explode in New Estate War

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — There are moments in a family’s life when truth becomes a battlefield, when people confuse the echo of old wounds for revelation, and when the soft stir of resentment becomes a storm.

Published

8 months ago

November 20, 2025

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown
Black Press USA Senior National Correspondent

There are moments in a family’s life when truth becomes a battlefield, when people confuse the echo of old wounds for revelation, and when the soft stir of resentment becomes a storm. Paris Jackson has opened such a storm. Her new legal filing against the Michael Jackson Estate radiates anger, suspicion, and the weight of history. She claims the men who rebuilt her father’s empire have turned probate into a forever machine that feeds them riches while denying her and her brothers the transparency that she insists is owed to them.

But beneath that filing lies something older and more complicated. Long before Paris entered a courtroom, a faction within the Jackson family rejected the executors, John Branca and John McClain, and never accepted that Michael gave them the authority to run everything. It is a faction that has included Randy Jackson, who once desired the executor’s role for himself, and his sister Janet Jackson, who has, at various points, stood in open opposition to the Estate. Several insiders say that faction has found a new vessel in Paris, and her filing reads like a continuation of their war, not the beginning of hers.

Her petition accuses the executors of dragging probate into a sixteenth year because they benefit from the delay. She calls the Estate a private kingdom that shelters itself in silence. She claims they sit on more than $460 million in cash that earned next to nothing in 2021, that they paid themselves $7,981,204 in fees that same year, and that Branca’s own law firm received $2,162,439 on top of that. She says more than $148 million has already gone to the executors through 2021. She argues that while they prosper, she and her brothers remain dependent on financial reports that arrive years too late.

But the rest of the story, the one inside the documents, is larger than Paris’s filing allows. It is the story of how Branca and McClain inherited an Estate that was more than $500 million in debt, riddled with nasty and unproven allegations, and raised it into a multi-billion-dollar force that now surpasses $3 billion in value. It is the story of projects that have sold more than $2 billion in tickets worldwide. It is the story of a lawyer who negotiated the ATV Beatles publishing deal, the catalog acquisition that changed the industry, and whose work for Michael spanned decades. It is the story of “This Is It,” the highest-grossing concert film in history, “MJ: The Musical,” which continues to play to sold-out houses and has been showered with Tony Awards, “The Immortal World Tour,” “Michael Jackson ONE,” and the $600 million Sony catalog deal that fortified the Estate with unprecedented strength.

The documents note that Katherine Jackson has received more than $60 million in support since Michael’s death – a reaffirmation of the love the King of Pop always displayed toward his beloved mother. The late Tito and Jackie Jackson have been among the most steadfast supporters of the executors, calling this perhaps the greatest and most organized Estate administration in modern entertainment history. One observer quoted in the record put it simply. The executors had taken such careful control of Michael Jackson’s legacy that his heirs, including Paris herself, would be able to feed dozens of generations of Jacksons.

That is the scale of what Paris is attacking.

Even her argument about the upcoming Antoine Fuqua biopic, “Michael,” cracks under closer scrutiny. In the filing, she claims that the project lacks A-list performers except for Miles Teller, the actor portraying John Branca. That is false. The cast includes Nia Long as Katherine Jackson and Lorenz Tate as Berry Gordy, both acclaimed, award-winning performers with long and respected careers. Colman Domingo, one of the most decorated actors of his generation, anchors one of the lead roles. He has earned Emmy wins, Academy Award nominations, Tony Award nominations, and in 2024 was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world. The film stars Michael’s nephew Jaafar Jackson as the King of Pop, and Paris’s own brother Prince serves as an executive producer, a direct contradiction to her claim that the film is a playground for the executors.

But the contradiction that towers above all others is the one in Paris’s own life. Public records show she has received more than $65 million from the Estate to date. Her brothers, Prince and Bigi, have received far less, creating a disparity that insiders say no one in the public ever seems to notice. When Paris sues the Estate, she is suing the very entity that pays her. Any attorney fees the Estate must now cover because of her lawsuit will be drawn from the pool that funds her own wealth. As one family insider put it, “What person has a $65 million allowance. Well, that is Paris Jackson.”

Some whisper that the pain she has carried, the years of battling addiction, the struggle with mental health that has been openly acknowledged, and the volatility that has surrounded her adulthood may be driving her toward those who want to aim her anger elsewhere. Sources quoted earlier agreed that her latest actions are out of step with the triumph of the Estate. One said, “Michael died more than five hundred million dollars in debt. The Estate not only cleared that, it built a fortune. For her to turn on them now is shocking.” Another warned, “She’s stubborn and she’s getting disastrously bad advice.”

The executors and those aligned with them see the truth in quieter terms. They point to the will Michael signed. They point to the courts that upheld their authority. They point to the billions generated. They point to the musicals, films, tours, Las Vegas residencies, catalog sales, and international productions that have reborn Michael Jackson’s legacy. They point to the support given to Katherine, to Tito, to Jackie, to the children, to charities. They point to an empire that was resurrected from ruins.

A source close to the Estate had the last word, and it carries the weight of a closing door. “This is another misguided attempt by Paris Jackson’s attorneys to provide themselves cover. The fact is, Paris Jackson’s lawyers lost their latest case against the Estate and have been ordered to pay the Estate’s attorneys’ expenses. All the beneficiaries are well taken care of by the Estate. This is a weak attempt to change the narrative of their loss.”

Stacy M. Brown

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Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park

ATLANTA VOICE — A mural depicting late journalist Jovita Moore, painted on the exterior wall of a building now occupied by Bellwood Coffee in Grant Park, was painted over in April. Moore passed away in 2021 after decades of working in Atlanta television news. Bellwood Coffee owners stated in May they were unaware of Moore’s identity or significance to the community before painting over the mural.
The post Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

3 weeks ago

July 8, 2026

Oakland Post

At the corner of Boulevard, SE. and Rosalia St., SE., directly across the street from an abandoned home and a Methodist Church, is Bellwood Coffee. One of hundreds of coffee shops in Atlanta, this place of business would not be worth a solitary discussion if not for the way its exterior walls are currently painted. There was once a mural depicting the late Jovita Moore, a beloved journalist who worked in Atlanta for decades. Moore, who passed away in 2021, mentored many of the people you see on television newscasts today. Though her legacy will never be forgotten, it was the mural of her image that was erased.

In April, members of the Grant Park community voiced their disgust at the mural, which graced a side wall of the building now occupied by Bellwood Coffee’s Grant Park location, before it was painted over. In its place are the words “Bellwood Coffee; Cocktails, Biscuits, Dry Goods, Air Conditioning. *Heat Too”. In May, the business owners responded to the community pushback on social media by acknowledging they did not know who Moore was before painting over her image. And later admitted that they did not attempt to find out what she meant to the community.

On May 21, the Bellwood Coffee Instagram account had a post about being “in close contact with Jovita’s family and are actively working on next steps in this process.” Two months later, the mural has not been replaced, repainted, or repositioned on the property. Nothing has been done. Black history is often erased, most recently by the current Presidential administration, but oftentimes on a smaller, quieter scale. The mural was originally painted by muralist Tommy Bronx, who had been in contact with the business owners about repainting it. As of July 6, Tommy Bronx had responded to a direct message via his Instagram account from The Atlanta Voice about any updates on his plans to repaint the mural.

“We’re currently working on it. You should see some movement in the weeks to come,” he wrote in a response.

On Monday, July 6, the business had several patrons inside and was running smoothly with three employees manning the counter. The Atlanta Voice dropped by Bellwood Coffee to get a look at the exterior wall where the mural once stood as a memorial to a journalist and mother who lost her life to brain cancer at the young age of 54. Moore’s image added some color to the block. The grey wall in its place does not.

A direct message was sent to the Bellwood Coffee Instagram account, and there hasn’t been a response as of 7 p.m. on Monday.

The post Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park appeared first on The Atlanta Voice.

Based on reporting by Atlanta Voice.

The post Jovita Moore Mural Still Has Not Been Repainted in Grant Park appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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‘Proud to Hang Her from a Tree’: Man Arrested for Threatening Black Senator

ATLANTA DAILY WORLD — A New York man faces felony hate crime charges for allegedly posting a threat against New York State Senator Lea Webb. James A. Crosby, 49, of Binghamton, was arrested by New York State Police after investigators determined he posted a threatening comment on a social media news post about a Juneteenth celebration.
The post ‘Proud to Hang Her from a Tree’: Man Arrested for Threatening Black Senator appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

3 weeks ago

July 8, 2026

Oakland Post

A New York man is facing felony hate crime charges after allegedly posting that he’d be “proud to hang” New York State Senator Lea Webb from a tree in response to a news story about a Juneteenth celebration.

James A. Crosby, 49, of Binghamton, was arrested June 23 by New York State Police after investigators determined he posted a threatening comment on a WBNG 12 News Facebook post. “I’d be proud to hang her from a tree,” Crosby wrote, according to WBNG.

Crosby was charged with making a terroristic threat as a hate crime, a class C felony, per the New York State Police. He is currently being held at Broome County Jail.

During the subsequent investigation, state police found Crosby was in illegal possession of firearms despite being prohibited from owning them due to a prior felony conviction. Investigators recovered a rifle, a large-capacity ammunition feeding device, and a firearm suppressor — all prohibited under New York state law, per the NYSP.

Crosby was charged with four additional counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, all class D felonies.

Webb, who represents New York’s 52nd Senate District, had been a featured speaker at a Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony at Binghamton City Hall, where the celebration included prayers and the singing of the Black national anthem.

Police said Crosby’s comment was posted in response to a WBNG news story covering the event.

The day before his arrest, Crosby posted a Facebook apology claiming the comment “was not intended to be racial in any way” and was made in reference to what he described as a “criminal,” citing criticism of Webb over her use of nonprofit legal aid in a foreclosure case — a matter state watchdogs said created an appearance of a conflict of interest, per the Ithaca Voice. He was arrested the following day.

Webb issued a public statement June 25 condemning the threat.

“It was extremely disappointing and hurtful to see the now-deleted threat and attacks on my life in response to a story about Juneteenth, a national holiday that recognizes the ending of slavery in America,” she said. “Feedback and thoughts on policy are one thing, but to make a public call for lethal violence is absolutely unacceptable and dangerous. We must recognize our shared humanity and reject violence in all forms.”

She thanked Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and law enforcement for their “swift response.”

Following Crosby’s comments, social media users called for a boycott of his contracting business, Crosby Home Improvements.

The Binghamton City Democratic Committee also called for an investigation into the incident before his arrest.

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The post ‘Proud to hang her from a tree’: Man arrested for threatening Black Senator appeared first on Atlanta Daily World.

Based on reporting by Atlanta Daily World.

The post ‘Proud to Hang Her from a Tree’: Man Arrested for Threatening Black Senator appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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CARICOM: Strengthen Integration for Future Generations

NEW YORK CARIB NEWS — Outgoing CARICOM Chairman Terrance Drew called on regional leaders to build a stronger and more effective Caribbean Community that benefits future generations. Speaking at the 51st Regular Meeting, Drew urged modernization of governance structures and improved implementation of Community decisions to make CARICOM safer and more prosperous.
The post CARICOM: Strengthen Integration for Future Generations appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

3 weeks ago

July 8, 2026

Oakland Post

Speaking Sunday at the opening of the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in Saint Lucia, Dr. Terrance Drew said the region must modernize its governance structures, improve the implementation of Community decisions, and ensure CARICOM becomes safer, more prosperous, and more relevant to the lives of its citizens.

The meeting, being held under the theme “CARICOM: From Resilience to Renewal in a Changing World,” coincides with the Community’s 53rd anniversary. During the ceremony, Dr. Drew formally handed over the rotating CARICOM chairmanship to Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister, Philip J. Pierre.

Reflecting on his six-month tenure as chairman, Drew praised fellow regional leaders for maintaining their commitment to democracy, good governance, unity, and the rule of law despite mounting global economic and geopolitical challenges.

“Throughout these challenges, CARICOM chose engagement over isolation. Together, we reaffirmed our commitment to a fair and rules-based international trading system and ensured that the interests of small developing states continued to be heard.”
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He highlighted progress made in strengthening the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, including deeper trade cooperation, expanded labour mobility, and efforts to lay the foundation for long-term economic growth. Drew also noted the Community’s growing partnerships beyond the Caribbean, particularly with the African Union, while stressing that every international partnership should advance the interests of all parties involved.

The outgoing chairman also expressed appreciation to Dr. Carla Barnett and the CARICOM Secretariat for their professionalism and unwavering support during his tenure.

“Whenever I called, you answered. Whenever support was required, you and your team responded with diligence, competence, and excellence.”

Dr. Drew urged the Secretariat to continue preserving its impartiality while faithfully implementing decisions made by Heads of Government, saying that balance has helped strengthen the regional integration movement.

The conference continues in Saint Lucia with regional leaders expected to deliberate on key issues including regional security, climate resilience, trade, economic integration, food security, Haiti, reparations, and strengthening the CSME.

Based on reporting by New York Carib News.

The post CARICOM: Strengthen Integration for Future Generations appeared first on BlackPressUSA.