Michael Jackson and his three children flew here Saturday.

Paparazzi had staked out a mansion near The Orleans on Wednesday, a sure sign that Michael Jackson's hideaway is no longer secret.

An Internet report hinted that the pop icon was heading for the $60 million, 100,000-square-foot mansion built by Jackson pal Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei at Spanish Trail. But activity at the other location, which we won't divulge for security reasons, suggested that Jackson had other plans.

Jackson, his three children and support personnel arrived in Las Vegas on Saturday night after a flight from Dublin, Ireland.

Jackson, 48, plans to relaunch his career in Las Vegas, according to friend and deal maker Jack Wishna.

When Jackson in 2005 was exonerated of molestation charges in California, there were reports he was lining up a deal at the Wynn resort. But Wynn reps suggested otherwise at the time.

A British entertainment Web site (www.poprevenge.com) is reporting that Jackson and illusionist David Blaine are teaming up on a magic and music spectacular in Las Vegas.

It was reported here four years ago that Jackson, months before his molestation charges arose, was close to signing a deal with a Las Vegas property for a magic and music show.

Fox News' Roger Friedman reported on Monday that it was unlikely Jackson was in Las Vegas "as reported over the weekend."

That despite numerous sightings of Jackson shopping on Christmas Eve at the Forum Shops at Caesars.

Jackson "is terrified of returning to the U.S. and doesn't actually want to work," Friedman wrote in his Monday column.

Friedman added, "Should Jackson return to the U.S., he would be inundated with process servers in a number of civil matters. Chief among them: a $48 million lawsuit that's proceeding through the New York courts. Several former attorneys are also suing him for nonpayment of fees. And a return to America would make him vulnerable in his ongoing, and as yet unsettled, custody case with ex-wife Debbie Rowe."

Friedman pulled a 180-degree U-turn on Tuesday, however, and acknowledged that Jackson is in Las Vegas.

MELTDOWN OF MELTDOWNS

James Brown will be remembered as "the hardest working man in show business" and for an epic meltdown in Las Vegas.

Brown, who died Christmas Day at age 73, was at the Blue Note Jazz Club (now Krave) for his 2001 New Year's Eve show when things went awry.

An agitated Brown stormed onstage wearing a bathrobe and went after a fan's camcorder. In the process, he threw a patron's chair and claimed he had been communicating with the pope, spies told me.

An hour later, Brown, still in his bathrobe, returned to the stage and told the crowd he was angry "because these people are trying to take advantage of me." Brown said he had been paid $30 million for the show but had given back "all the money."

During his rant, he told the crowd that the pope was "no longer going to hold audiences because he couldn't attract the number of people that James Brown could."

The next day, Brown was spotted on Harmon Avenue, outside the Blue Note, railing at motorists in his underwear.

As Vegas meltdowns go, it topped Sam Kinison's New Year's Eve blowup at Bally's in 1990. A clearly impaired Kinison struggled through his midnight show and, after attempting a 2 a.m. show that was delayed by hours, left the stage after being incoherent and combative.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Another raunchy party-hearty photo of dethroned Miss Nevada USA 2006 has surfaced. The Web site Three Mile Zone (www.tmz.com) said the photo of Katie Rees was taken in June 2004 and has been posted since June 30, 2004. Rees' attorney originally said the incriminating photos were taken five years ago, then admitted they were shot in 2003.

SIGHTINGS

Actress Jennifer Love Hewitt, sipping sangria while dining with a beau at Border Grill (Mandalay Bay) on Wednesday. ... Jerry Seinfeld, catching a late lunch at Spago (Forum Shops at Caesars) on Tuesday and picking up some primo stogies at Casa Fuente. ... "American Idol" judge and longtime music producer Randy Jackson, putting the finishing touches Wednesday on the upcoming Mariah Carey live concert DVD. He stayed in a Fantasy Tower (Palms) suite.

PUNCHLINE

"You notice a 'Happy 1999' tag on the package of shrimp you've been eating all night." -- From David Letterman's Top Ten Signs You're at a Lame New Year's Eve Party.

Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.