Prosecutors think Jackson may be bankrupt

Prosecutors have filed a motion to obtain access to Michael Jackson's financial records as speculation grows that he is in deep financial trouble.

Assistant District Attorney Gordon Auchincloss said during a hearing today that Jackson's money problems "will all come crashing down on him in December of 2005," and indicated that the prosecution believes that Jackson has around $400m in liabilties.

Jackson's defence is opposed to opening up Jackson's financial records to the prosecution. One member of Jackson's defence team, attorney Robert Sanger, said that his client's finances are "totally irrelevant" to the case.

The prosecution contends, however, that financial troubles could be a possible motive for Jackson allegedly holding his accuser's family against their will. Prosecutors allege that Jackson did so in an attempt to get them to discredit Martin Bashir's Living with Michael Jackson documentary that caused significant public controversy.