Stewardess' Jackson Testimony Questioned

By James Wray Apr 5, 2005, 6:38 GMT

The testimony of the flight attendant who alleged it was her idea to serve Michael Jackson's accuser wine in a Diet Coke can has been called into question - after it emerged the owner of the airline has business ties to the singer.

Cynthia Bell was called to support the prosecution's charges the star deliberately concealed the alcohol in the can, but instead, she helped Jackson's defence team by telling jurors she decided to serve the wine in the soft drink container.

But gay porn producer Fred Schaffel, who worked with Jackson on several music videos, has admitted he helped Peter Loeb, the owner of Xtra Jet airline, get regular work flying the singer and his pals around the world.

And insiders believe Bell may have defended Jackson because her boss, Loeb, didn't want to destroy their business relationship, reports US gossip website The Scoop.

Experts also suggest Schaffel wants to keep Jackson out of prison because he's suing the singer over unpaid debts for video work.

Loeb's father STAN explains, "One day Fred called and said he knew someone who was unhappy chartering flights. He knew that my son has a chartering business, and he asked if I would talk to his unhappy friend.

"Then, he put Michael Jackson on the phone. They were driving around in Michael's limousine. My son ended up flying some of Michael's people around."

An insider adds, "We all believe that people always tell the truth - but do sometimes people shade the truth to make their bosses happy?"

Jackson has pleaded not guilty to 10 felony charges of child molestation, administering an intoxicating agent and conspiracy involving allegations of child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion.