Second doctor says he visited Jackson
A second doctor with Las Vegas links to Michael Jackson on Saturday confirmed that he made visits to Jackson's Las Vegas residences.
But Dr. Tohme Tohme, in an interview with Vegas Confidential, emphatically denied that he was Jackson's doctor.
Asked if he visited Jackson at any of his Las Vegas residences, Tohme said, "Of course. It's a long story."
Tohme rebutted a media report circulating on Saturday that indicated Los Angeles law enforcement authorities were interested in talking to him.
Sources told TMZ.com that police wanted to talk to Tohme about an "alleged indirect connection" between prescription drugs and Jackson's death on Wednesday.
"I don't have anything to do with his (Jackson's) medication or health," Tohme told TMZ, the celebrity news site.
"They (the reports) make my life miserable. They confuse me with the other doctor (Las Vegas cardiologist Dr. Conrad Murray, who was living in Jackson's Los Angeles mansion)," said Tohme, who lives in the Los Angeles area.
Tohme, who identified himself as Jackson's manager and "close associate" during his interview with Vegas Confidential, has reportedly been in a power struggle in recent months with Frank DiLeo, who managed Jackson's 1987 "Bad" world tour, the largest-grossing tour of all time ($125 million, 4.4 million tickets, 123 concerts).
DiLeo, who managed Jackson for five years, until 1989, was recently named Jackson's manager, according to The Wall Street Journal.
When Jackson's brother, Jermaine Jackson, announced the pop singer's death at a news conference Thursday, it was Tohme who introduced Jermaine to the media.
Tohme's name had surfaced in the past year in connection with Jackson and billionaire Tom Barrack Jr., founder and owner of real estate giant Colony Capital of Los Angeles.
Barrack, who has a major ownership position in the Las Vegas Hilton, made headlines a year ago when he bought the $23.5 million mortgage on Jackson's Neverland Ranch, after the singer defaulted on loan payments on the Santa Barbara County property.
Asked whether he was Barrack's doctor, Tohme told me, "No. He's my dear friend. He's like a brother to me."
THE SCENE AND HEARD
One of Jackson's biggest Las Vegas moments came on July 29, 1993, when hotel developer Steve Wynn invited the pop singer to join him on the bow of one of the two ships being towed down the Strip on their way to Treasure Island. The ships, constructed for the pirate battle, were built in a warehouse west of the Strip and then towed down Flamingo Road and onto the Strip, which had been blocked off. ...
SIGHTINGS
Lindsay Lohan, celebrating her 23rd birthday at Wet Republic (MGM Grand) Saturday. Her birthday is July 2. ... Five security guards outside 2710 Palomino Lane on Saturday after a moving truck emptied the house, Jackson's last known Las Vegas residence. ... Tyra Banks, having lunch Saturday at The Country Club restaurant at Wynn Las Vegas. ... Dining at Tao (The Venetian) on Friday: Antonio Sabato Jr., "90210" star Autumn Reeser, Aaron Paul from "Big Love," Rooney lead singer Robert Schwartzman, socialite and reality star Brittny Gastineau, and actor Jonathan Schaech. ... At Lavo (Palazzo) on Friday: "Real Housewives of New York" star Bethenny Frankel. Upstairs at Lavo: Sabato, Andrew Firestone of "The Bachelor,' and British actress and model Kelly Brook with her boyfriend Wasps rugby player Danny Cipriani.
Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.
