Sheriff's Department Responds to Attorney's Allegation

Goleta - July 31st, 2009

On July 27, 2009, the Santa Barbara County Sheriff, District Attorney and County Counsel each received a letter from Howard King, attorney for Mr. F. Marc Shaffel, alleging that the Sheriff made available to TMZ, a celebrity gossip website, information seized from Mr. Shaffel in January, 2004. This letter was also widely disseminated to the news media.

The material that King alleged was inappropriately released was evidence taken pursuant to a search warrant in the 2003 Michael Jackson criminal investigation. King alleged that the Sheriff had “recently” released a videotaped interview and other video footage that Mr. Shaffel created with Michael Jackson’s ex-wife, Debra Rowe.

“Mr. King’s allegation is preposterous,” said Sheriff Bill Brown. “I was not Sheriff at the time of the Michael Jackson case, and I have never released any information relating to it. The only recipients of such information from the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department were the District Attorney’s Office, and presumably Jackson’s numerous defense attorneys, through the normal discovery process.”

On Thursday, July 30, 2009 Mr. King confirmed that the only source for his allegations was TMZ. He also confirmed to County officials that TMZ denies they received this information from the Sheriff or Sheriff’s Department.

For more information regarding news related issues
please contact Drew Sugars, Public Information Officer.

Business Hours: (805) 681-4100
EMAIL:pio@sbsheriff.org