L.A. Mayor Says City Will Pay for Jackson Funeral

According to the Associated Press, Villaraigosa commented on talk of the city requesting money from various sources, including the Jackson family, to pay for the funeral, saying, "The idea that we would charge the family for a funeral is nonsensical."

The AP reports that a city councilwoman who was filling in for Villaraigosa set the ball rolling for a Web site that asked the public for donations to offset the city's $1.4 million funeral costs. The web site, which raised $35,000, ceased operating last Friday.

"This is a world-class city, and we provide fire and police protection, period," Villaraigosa said, according to the AP.

Published 7/13/09 by