Jackson�s attorney, Mark Geragos, gave a press conference on Thursday and said that the charges were a �shakedown� motivated by "greed and revenge" and insisted that based upon the complaint that was filed he would prove that �Michael Jackson is absolutely, unequivocally innocent of these charges".
"Michael Jackson is going to fight these charges with every fiber of his soul," Geragos said. "He is strong and he is defiant as he should be."
Apart from the �lewd act� charges, Jackson is also accused of administering an �intoxicating agent� to a minor �with intent� to �enable and assist� the execution of a felony (child molestation).
The San Diego Union-Tribune reprinted the actual complaint against Jackson, which is printed below.
COUNTS 1-7
On or between February 7, 2003 and March
10, 2003, in the County of Santa Barbara, the crime of LEWD ACT UPON A
CHILD, in violation of PENAL CODE SECTION 288(a), a Felony, was committed
by MICHAEL JOE JACKSON, who did willfully, unlawfully, and lewdly commit
a lewd and lascivious act upon and with the body and certain parts and
members thereof of John Doe, a child under the age of fourteen years, with
the intent of arousing, appealing to, and gratifying the lust, passions,
and sexual desires of the said defendant and the said child.
Michael Jackson charged with lewd acts on a child
COUNTS 8-9
On or between February 20, 2003 and March
10, 2003. in the County of Santa Barbara, the crime of ADMINISTERING INTOXICATING
AGENT, in violation of PENAL CODE SECTION 222, a Felony, was committed
by MICHAEL JOE JACKSON, who did un1awfully administer to John Doe an intoxicating
agent with intent thereby to enable and assist himself to commit a felony,
to wit, CHILD MOLESTATION, in violation of PENAL CODE SECTION 288(a).
It is further alleged that Counts 1 through 7 are serious felonies within the meaning of Penal Code section 1192.7(c)(6).
As to counts 1 through 7, it is further alleged pursuant to Penal Code section 1203.066(a)(8) that the victim, John Doe, in the above offense was under the age of 14 years and MICHAEL JOE JACKSON had substantial sexual conduct with John Doe.
NOTICE: Conviction of this offense will require you to register pursuant to Penal Code section 290. Willful failure to register is a crime.
NOTICE: Pursuant to the provisions of Penal
Code section 293.5 the use of pseudonym "John Doe," as it appears in the
complaint, is for purposes of protecting the privacy of the alleged victim.
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