Sheikh suckered into $350K 'brain fee' for Jacko

By April MacIntyre Nov 19, 2008, 0:29 GMT

Michael Jackson acknowledging fans as he arrives at the Santa Barbara County Superior Court in Santa Maria, California, USA. A legal battle between an Arab sheikh and US pop legend Michael Jackson opened at the High Court in London 17 November 2008 over a breach-of-contract claim involving 4.7 million pounds (7 million dollars). Sheikh Abdulla bin Hamad al-Khalifa, second son of the King of Bahrain, is suing Jackson for allegedly reneging on a \'pay-back\' agreement designed to repay money he advanced to Jackson during his worst financial troubles over the star\'s Neverland ranch. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO

A Bahrain sheikh spent $350K on Michael Jackson's alleged 'brain guru.'

The New York Daily news elaborated on the how the fortune was spent that the sheikh shelled out to the Prince of Pop: $7 Million bucks for a book and album that never came to be.

Now the details are emerging, as Tony Buzan was named as the brain guy, aka Jackson's guru.  The point of the guru was to stimulate Jacko's creative brain.

"Mind-mapping and motivational guru" Buzan came to Bahrain for a week at the singer's request, said Bankim Thanki, lawyer for Sheikh Abdulla bin Hamad al-Khalifa, who is suing Jackson for $7 million in a breach-of-contract case here.

Sheikh Abdulla, 33, footed the brain guru bill.

Jackson was a resident in Bahrain back in 2005 after he was acquitted of child molestation by a California jury. In May 2006, the Daily News reports that Jackson left Bahrain.

"It's fair to say my client felt a considerable amount of personal betrayal by someone he had regarded as a close friend," Thanki told London's High Court.

Jackson's lawyer Robert Englehart told Justice Nigel Sweeney the singer is unable to travel due to health concerns.

"It would be unwise for him to travel given what he's got now," Englehart said.

Thanki said Jacko has played the "I'm sick" card before. 

The BBC reports that Michael Jackson could be made to fly to the High Court in London to testify in a breach of contract case, despite his doctor saying he is unfit to travel.