Jackson Cardiologist Hired For Tour

Dr. Conrad Murray, the cardiologist who was with Michael Jackson shortly before the popstar's death, was on AEG Live's payroll and slated to join Jackson for the duration of his London comeback tour.
AEG Live President and Chief Executive Randy Phillips told the Associated Press, "As a company, we would have preferred not having a physician on staff full-time because it would have been cheaper without the hotels and travel, but Michael was insistent that he be hired. Michael said he had a rapport with him."
The AP reports that Murray, who practices medicine in California, Nevada and Texas, had serious financial troubles for several years. His Nevada medical practice, Global Cardiovascular Associates, was slapped with more than $400,000 in court judgments, and he faces at least two other pending cases and several tax liens.

Phillips said AEG Live advanced Jackson money to pay for Murray's services as part of the production costs.
"He just said, 'Look, this whole business revolves around me. I'm a machine and we have to keep the machine well-oiled,' and you don't argue with the King of Pop," Phillips said.
Phillips added that Jackson had been in good health while the tour was being planned. In February, Jackson submitted to "five-plus hours of physicals that the insurance underwriter insisted on. We were told he passed with flying colors."
Dr. Murray was in Jackson's home when the singer collapsed. Initial reports suggest that Jackson suffered cardiac arrest. Police seized the physician's car after Jackson's death, saying they believed the car may contain drugs or other evidence, but have insisted that Murray has been cooperative and do not consider him a criminal suspect.
"We do not consider him to be uncooperative at this time," said police Deputy Chief Charlie Beck, noting that the doctor had been interviewed by detectives. "We think that he will assist us in coming to the truth of the facts in this case."