Los Angeles can pay for Michael Jackson tribute, says angry mayor
The feisty mayor of Los Angeles has returned from vacation and shot back that the city can pay for its epic memorial to Michael Jackson.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has returned to discover a councilwoman sitting in for him in his absence sought donations to help cover the $1.4 million cost of the memorial.
Villaraigosa declared: "This is a world-class city, and we provide fire and police protection, period. The idea that we would charge the family for a funeral is nonsensical."
A website set up by his office for donations to cover the Staples Center memorial service soon crashed with the weight of traffic. It managed to rake in $17,000. Villaraigosa slammed the website as "ridiculous".
Acting Mayor Jan Perry came up with the idea while Villaraigosa was travelling in South Africa.
