Michael Jackson's Memorial Could Cost LA Taxpayers

Courtesy of SplashNews.com

Michael Jackson’s memorial service could cost Los Angeles taxpayers USD$1.4million after a website to recoup costs crashed.

City chiefs set up the donation site for Jackson fans that wanted to help pick up the tab to relieve financial pressure caused by the event. The site started taking money on Tuesday morning but failed for more than 12 hours after receiving massive amounts of traffic. So far the city officials say they have received just $17,000 in donations but are hoping for more after the site was fixed. The overall cost for policing and cleaning up after the memorial came to $1.4 million, a spokesman for Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced today. The amount includes salaries for the more than 3,000 police officers deployed to secure the streets around the L.A. Staples Center plus traffic control and cleanup costs. Before the event the estimated cost had been as much as $3.8 million. That number was based on 750,000 fans flocking to Staples Center but only a small fraction of that number turned up.

More Photos »

Provided by: Eric Munn / Splash News

Read more:

Michael Jackson's Ghost Spotted at Neverland
Paris Jackson Inspired by Jermaine To Speak
Diana Ross Staying Silent on Michael Jackson's Death
Debbie Rowe Looking Upset At Her Ranch
Mariah Carey Twitters About Michael Jackson Memorial
Michael Jackson's Death Certificate Revealed