AEG Distances Itself From Michael Jackson's Doctor

AEG would like you know that it did not pay Dr. Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson's personal physician.

A spokesperson for the usually press shy company owned by Philip Anschutz, told ABC News that it did not pay Dr. Murray, who allegedly dispensed the Propofol that killed the singer. Jackson's death is now being called a homicide.

No wonder AEG wants to distance itself from the man investigators are talking to.

"Murray was never hired and never paid by AEG," the spokesman told ABC News' Russell Goldman. The spokesman clarified that, "Conrad Murray was Michael Jackson's personal physician for three years... Michael Jackson requested Murray be put on as part of the show. Murray, however, had yet to be hired. Discussions were along the way for a completed contract. Murray had signed the contract, however, neither Michael Jackson nor AEG had signed the contract."

Several news organizations (including Portfolio.com) have mentioned the Murray-AEG connection in their coverage of the singer's death.

As far back as June, AEG tried to clarify its relationship with Murray. Randy Phillips, president and CEO of AEG Live told reporters from the London Telegraph that Jackson "insisted" on Murray being his doctor during the AEG-sponsored comeback concert run in London despite the company's claim that "some of the best doctors in the world are in London." Philips also told Billboard in July that Jackson had had a "close to five hour" physical as part of his contract with AEG and that, "[W]e were told that he passed with flying colors."

According to reports, Murray was supposed to be paid $150,000 per month to care for Jackson.