Jackson Eavesdroppers Charged
LOS ANGELES — A federal grand jury indicted two men Wednesday for bugging a charter plane carrying singer Michael Jackson and his lawyer in 2003.
Jackson and his then lawyer, Mark Geragos, were travelling aboard an XtraJet charter flight from Las Vegas to Santa Barbara, where Jackson was to surrender to authorities on child molestation charges.
The indictment alleges that the Gulfstream jet was fitted with concealed cameras and microphones purchased from a “spy” equipment store. XtraJet owner, Jeffrey Borer and Arvell Reeves, owner of an aircraft maintenance company, were charged with conspiracy and attempting to intercept private communications. Reeves was further charged with witness tampering during an FBI investigation into the incident.
The bugging of the plane was first revealed in November 2003 when Fox News disclosed that it had been approached by a private party offering to sell the tapes. Fox said staffers had watched the tapes without audio and that Jackson had appeared calm and was smiling and laughing during the flight.
Borer subsequently confirmed that XtraJet had offered the tapes to television networks. At the time he said the company did not know who was responsible for the recordings and that the tapes were found aboard the aircraft.
The indictment alleges that Borer and Reeves conspired to record Jackson’s conversations with Geragos. Borer was to provide the aircraft, while Reeves allegedly bought and installed the recording equipment.
Borer was then allegedly tasked with selling the tape to media outlets. According to the indictment, Reeves installed two color "pinhole" cameras in the aircraft's passenger cabin and placed microphones between the seats.
After news of the tapes surfaced, the FBI launched an investigation. Reeves then allegedly told a subordinate to fabricate a story about the devices. He asked the subordinate, now an "unindicted co-conspirator,” to tell FBI agents that the cameras were installed the day before Jackson’s flight, to catch someone suspected of stealing alcohol from the plane.
Assistant U.S. Attorney, Andrew Cowan, said the men would be summoned to appear for arraignment in the coming weeks.
If found guilty, Borer’s charges could result in a 10 year prison sentence, while Reeves faces a possible 20 years behind bars.
Source: LA Times / San Diego Union Tribune / MJJForum
LOS ANGELES — A federal grand jury indicted two men Wednesday for bugging a charter plane carrying singer Michael Jackson and his lawyer in 2003.
Jackson and his then lawyer, Mark Geragos, were travelling aboard an XtraJet charter flight from Las Vegas to Santa Barbara, where Jackson was to surrender to authorities on child molestation charges.
The indictment alleges that the Gulfstream jet was fitted with concealed cameras and microphones purchased from a “spy” equipment store. XtraJet owner, Jeffrey Borer and Arvell Reeves, owner of an aircraft maintenance company, were charged with conspiracy and attempting to intercept private communications. Reeves was further charged with witness tampering during an FBI investigation into the incident.
The bugging of the plane was first revealed in November 2003 when Fox News disclosed that it had been approached by a private party offering to sell the tapes. Fox said staffers had watched the tapes without audio and that Jackson had appeared calm and was smiling and laughing during the flight.
Borer subsequently confirmed that XtraJet had offered the tapes to television networks. At the time he said the company did not know who was responsible for the recordings and that the tapes were found aboard the aircraft.
The indictment alleges that Borer and Reeves conspired to record Jackson’s conversations with Geragos. Borer was to provide the aircraft, while Reeves allegedly bought and installed the recording equipment.
Borer was then allegedly tasked with selling the tape to media outlets. According to the indictment, Reeves installed two color "pinhole" cameras in the aircraft's passenger cabin and placed microphones between the seats.
After news of the tapes surfaced, the FBI launched an investigation. Reeves then allegedly told a subordinate to fabricate a story about the devices. He asked the subordinate, now an "unindicted co-conspirator,” to tell FBI agents that the cameras were installed the day before Jackson’s flight, to catch someone suspected of stealing alcohol from the plane.
Assistant U.S. Attorney, Andrew Cowan, said the men would be summoned to appear for arraignment in the coming weeks.
If found guilty, Borer’s charges could result in a 10 year prison sentence, while Reeves faces a possible 20 years behind bars.
Source: LA Times / San Diego Union Tribune / MJJForum
