By Jan Wolfe
WASHINGTON, Aug 22 (Reuters) - A former publicist forMichael Jackson on Thursday announced plans for a charitablefoundation not affiliated with the late pop singer's family orestate, intended to defend and promote the legacy of thecontroversial entertainer.
Raymone Bain, who represented Jackson in 2005 and 2006, saidthe Michael Jackson Legacy Foundation would seek to raise moneyfor the charitable causes Jackson supported during his life,including the advancement of civil rights for African Americans.
Bain told a Washington news conference that the foundationwas in its early stages and that she had not yet contactedfamily members.
Jackson's estate said on Thursday that Bain "is notauthorized to act on behalf of the Michael Jackson Estate nor touse Michael Jackson’s name in any way for charitable or her owncommercial purposes."
Bain said Jackson gave $300 million to charitable causesduring his life, but that she was unaware of any donations madein his name since his 2009 death at age 50.
Jackson's estate noted that the "Thriller" singer's estateremains in probate and has not yet closed.
In 2005, Jackson was acquitted at a trial on charges ofmolesting a 13-year-old boy at his Neverland ranch inCalifornia.
In a documentary released earlier this year, "LeavingNeverland," two other men said they were abused by him from theages of 7 and 10 in the early 1990s. Jackson's family and estatehave denied the accusations.
Bain said Jackson has been "victimized" by falseaccusations.
"I'm hoping that the Michael Jackson Legacy Foundation willbe able to move forward in a positive way to help preserve,protect and defend all of what Michael Jackson did during hislife and to maintain someone who helped open so many doors forso many people," she said.
According to Forbes, Jackson was the top-earning deadcelebrity last year, taking in more than $400 million throughrecordings, tribute shows, and the sale of his EMI Musicpublishing stake.
Bain filed a lawsuit against the singer's estate, which wasthrown out in 2017, claiming that Jackson had left her and threeother business partners a 15 percent stake in his company.
She said her new foundation would raise funds independentlythrough donations from individuals and through a planned tributeevent for the singer.
Bain said one of the initiatives would be an exhibition atthe National Museum of African American History and Culture.(Reporting by Jan WolfeAdditional reporting by Jill Serjeant in Los AngelesEditing by Andy Sullivan and Jonathan Oatis)