Arnold Klein: The Spin doctor!

Yesterday was the appointed day, by the judge, to meet up, decide and settle matters regarding Michael Jackson's will. Among the top decision was that of the permanent custody of Jackson's three children; Paris, Prince and Blanket. The custody settlement was expected to go in favor of Katherine Jackson, just as Michael Jackson had wished. This news wasn't surprising either since Mrs Jackson's lawyer had announced that the discussions between Mrs Jackson and Debbie Rowe, Michael's ex-wife, had been amicable.

What was surprising was the presence of a lawyer representing the formal Jackson's dermatologist, Dr. Arnold Klein, in the hearing. The lawyer was there to object to the custody decision! This was unexpected and surprising because, well... Klein had no reason whatsoever to even involve himself in this matter.

So why did he do this? In the statement Klein's lawyer stated that " we appeared on behalf of Dr. Arnold Klein before Judge Mitchell Beckloff in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Probate Department 5, to ask the Court to allow Dr. Klein to have an opportunity to present evidence to the Court for its consideration in fashioning an appropriate guardianship order with specific protection and supervision in areas relating to Paris Katherine and Prince Michael’s upbringing that were of particular concern to Michael. Dr. Klein is not objecting to Katherine Jackson being the guardian nominee, but was acting on promises he made to Michael with respect to assuring the long term health and stability of the children and their ability to enjoy as normal of a life out of the spotlight as could be reasonably possible.

Dr. Klein has always had a special relationship with Paris Katherine and Prince Michael, loves and cares deeply for these children and is looking out for their best interest. Dr. Klein has been involved with the children in sharing holidays and other special events and wishes to have the ability to continue his involvement as a very close friend of their father and offers his guidance and protection forever."

This statement is very telling in a number of ways. One, it's obvious that Klein is insinuating that he is a biological father of both Prince & Paris. Two, he is also implying that he has some sort of agreement with the late icon regarding his role in these two kid's lives. In other words what he is doing is something that Michael had approved of! There are other aspects to be considered regarding this statement, however for the purpose of this article let's focus on the named two.

Firstly, there is no way that Klein's interests in those children is due to his 'deeper love and concern for them' simply because had this been the case, Klein would've dealt with this matter privately. In the same manner that Rowe did, instead of pulling a fast one by trying to catch everyone by surprise in the court. Secondly, even if it was the case that his interests are genuine, there is no way his concerns for the 'health and upbringing' of those kids would've stopped with just Paris and Prince. What about Blanket?

Especially considering that even though Blanket isn't Rowe biological child, Rowe was happy to be involved in Blanket's life too (if allowed). You see, for any 'parent/friend' concerned genuinely with the well being of the kids who have suddenly lost their main parent, there wouldn't be a need to separate any 'well meaning' concerns of those children between the two order kids from the youngest. However Klein is using this distinction between the older kids from the youngest to fuel the rumor that he is the biological father of the two older kids.

Thirdly, I don't believe for a second that Klein is the biological father of Prince and Paris. It's really simple if we look at how this idea of him been the biological father came about. Klein claimed, in his recent statement, that he and Jackson had an agreement which entitles him to the care, in some manner, of Prince & Paris. This is a very clever tactic in that by insinuating that his actions are nothing more than what Michael had wanted, he is playing on the focus on fulfilling Michael's wishes. In other words he is trying to give his actions some serious weight. However there is something seriously wrong with this claim.

First of all, Klein had admitted on Larry King Live, shortly after Jackson's death, that 'as far as his knew those kids weren't his', a few days later in a different interview he added 'although he did donate sperm to Jackson'. The change in Klein's recollection as illustrated in the change in the way he answered this question has a lot to do with the fact that in the first interview, the media had just named Klein as 'biological father' of Jackson's kids (this happened after the first man the media selected, Malkin, had denied been the father). Therefore the question that was put to Klein during that first interview took him by surprise because he wasn't at the time 'seeing' the opportunity such a rumor would've on his profile and so on. Hence he answered, what I believe to be the truth, by admitting that he wasn't the father.

You see had it not be for the media running around looking for pictures of any white male close to Jackson, to credit with the biological father tag (as it did with Mark Malnik and then Klein), the idea of Klein been the biological father of Jackson's kids wouldn't have entered Klein's mind. Hence it shows that Klein is lying simply because had there be an 'agreement' with Jackson that somehow allowed him to have a right to be concerned by the care & support of Paris & Prince, Klein would've had no doubt that he was the biological father. In the same manner that Debbie has no doubt that she is the mother. Had this been the case Klein's response in the interview would've been consistent.

In other words Klein wouldn't have had to rely on the media insinuations to start thinking that he is the father. In short no such agreement exists as Klein claims. Klein saw an opportunity when his name was linked with the kids simply because he happened to be close enough to Jackson and thus spent time with him and his family. In other words the mistake that Jackson made was to consider Klein a trustworthy friend enough to invite him for Christmas and some holidays and to have photographic evidence of such occasions. These private pictures with Jackson and his kids that feature Klein (in the same manner that Jackson and his kids took pictures with others whom Jackson considered as friends including the Hiltons, Malniks etc) will be without a doubt 'leaked' to the media as further 'proof' of his claims.

You can't really blame Jackson for thinking that Klein was a trustworthy friend and thus spent time with him and his children, like any person would with someone they trusted. However it is nauseating to watch Klein abuse this trust for his own motives.

The same thing had been insinuated when someone had stolen and sold to the media, private family photos of Jackson, his kids & friends, which were on Malnik wife's Facebook account. Unlike Klein, the Malnik didn't see this as an opportunity to create unnecessary drama for the kids and so on. Instead Mark Malnik promptly issues a statement denying that he was the 'biological' father of Blanket as it was reported on the media simply because he had taken a photo with Blanket in it. Furthermore Malnik's family started legal procedures to sue the tabloid site, which published those photos. Now this is how a true friend is supposed to act, something that Klein's actions are far from.

So why is Klein pushing this agenda? Well, as the investigation of Jackson's death continues, it's becoming more apparent that Murray may not be the only doctor in the wrong. It seems that a number of other doctors had been supplying Jackson with strong prescription drugs over the years illegally. Klein may have a good reason to try and divert suspicion from his hand in the matter. However the main reason why he is doing this is also because of what he is relying on at this moment. Let me explain..

Klein knows that he is not the biological father of Jackson's kid without a doubt. He also knows that because of the state of emotional sensitivity that the family and the kids are under at this moment, (not to mention Tito's interview in which he dismissed the need for DNA done to the kids) it's highly unlikely that a DNA test would be approved by the Jackson family.

This isn't because the Jacksons wish to hide the truth but rather because they do not wish to put these kids through any more unnecessary aggro. Klein is betting on this fact with all his life. He is relying on the fact that the Jackson family will not put those kids through a DNA test and thus he can always claim that (or at least keep the insinuations going) the reason is simply because they wish to hide the truth i.e., he is the biological father. He knows that there are those in the media who would be more than happy to assist him in perpetuating this claim. Heck they're the ones who planted the idea in his head in the first place!

Klein has no intentions of caring for the well being of those kids no more than Gloria Alfred, Nancy Grace, The News of the world or any other tabloid fuel personality/outlet. If the interest was genuinely towards the children, the very question of the 'paternity' wouldn't have been raised. It isn't the first, nor will it be the last time that an interracial couple had biological kids who look more like one parent than the other. Michael Jackson and Debbie Rowe aren't unique in this matter, however it seems to some that when it comes to Jackson; logic, common sense and basic respect & compassionate for his young children in this most trying time in their young lives, is too much to ask.

I, for one, really wish for the Jacksons to have a heart to heart with Rowe and get all the facts straight. Then do a DNA test because as much as they may fear adding pain to the kids etc, if they don't the likes of Klein will continue to use those kids to further their own profiles and/or agendas. Many others had done this to Michael all his life, it is the Jackson family's responsibility to stop this from happening to those wonderful kids. A DNA isn't such a bad idea.

Another reason why a DNA test done on those kids and Michael would be useful, is that if Klein's part in Jackson's death is more involved that suspected (provided that it is proven) i.e., if Klein is pushing this angle to disrupt attention away from his possible involvement in Jackson's death rather than to simply further his profile, then this could get even more bizarre. Klein had been treating Jackson for years and in the weeks leading to Jackson's concert dates, he was in contact with Jackson a lot more than usual. It is possible that Jackson might have signed some papers, giving authority to Klein to perform certain surgical operations etc (as you would for any patient/doctor interactions). Klein may be able to type a statement etc and superimpose Jackson's signature (or even perhaps use a genuine signature that Jackson may have left in some of the paper etc) in order to support his claims.

The Jackson family need to see that a DNA test would be beneficial to the kids' state of mind in the long run. It may sound far fetched to think of Klein going through some rubbish in his office or finding a blank note in which Jackson's signature appeared in order to fake a statement, but when it comes to Jackson believe me nothing is far fetched. In the same court room they had two women ,both black, who wanted to claim paternity of Jackson's kids. Thankfully both had been well known by the authorities for having mental problems.

The point here is that it's easy to brush off the obviously deluded people who wish to have a part in Jackson's life, even after his death. However not all of them would be obvious, like Klein some may be more cunning and knowledgeable of the media spin and these are the ones that the family needs to be prepared for. A DNA test would do just that.

The good thing about all this drama is that for once Jackson's kids get to see those who had acted as friends to their father, such as Klein, for what they really are. Klein wouldn't have dared utter the nonsense that he is uttering if Michael was alive, he knows it and the kids know it too.