Michael Jackson spends £175,000 on "mind-mapping guru"

Michael Jackson spent £175,000 on a “mind-mapping guru” to help relaunch his music career.

The star borrowed the sum from Sheikh Abdulla Al-Khalif to pay psychology expert Tony Buzan – author of memory technique book ‘Use Your Head’ – to provide “creative assistance” for his comeback, London’s High Court heard yesterday (18.11.08).

Jackson, 50, is currently being sued by the sheikh for borrowing £4.7 million and failing to repay the sum by recording two new albums, writing an autobiography and penning a musical. The sheikh’s barrister, Bankim Thanki QC, said: “Mr. Buzan didn’t come cheap as he is very much in demand.” British author Buzan was hired for a week’s work at £25,000 a session.

Meanwhile, Thanki has accused Jackson of trying to avoid giving evidence in the case after a letter from the ‘Thriller’ singer’s doctor explained he is currently too ill to travel to the UK because he "may or may not have a condition". The star could testify via a video link from California but Thanki insists he should be forced to attend in person.

The lawyer – who said his client felt "a strong sense of personal betrayal" over the affair - pointed out that Jackson had claimed to have been bitten by a snake during a previous civil case. He added: “My client is rightly sceptical."

The sheikh is demanding the entire £4.7 million, which is made up of extravagances including £23,500 in utility bills for Jackson’s Neverland estate, a 10-day Paris hotel bill of £105,000, bank funds of £655,000, court costs during Jackson’s child abuse case in 2005 totalling £1.5 million, £335,000 living expenses during six months in the Middle East as well as Italian and UK holidays coming to £234,000. Jackson insists the money was a “gift” and claims he did not read the terms and conditions of the contract before signing.

The hearing continues tomorrow (20.11.08).