LOS ANGELES — Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is trying to quell the escalating debate over who should pick up the estimated $1.4 million tab for police, traffic control and other services related to Michael Jackson’s memorial service.
Villaraigosa, who was vacationing in South Africa a week ago when more than 17,000 fans flocked to downtown Los Angeles to watch the public memorial, asserted Monday that the city will pay.
He said he will not ask the Jackson family or AEG Live, the owner of the Staples Center where the event was held, to help the city recoup its expenses, and he lambasted a city Web site set up to request donations.
“This is a world-class city, and we provide fire and police protection, period,” Villaraigosa said during his first public appearance since returning from his weeklong trip.
“The idea that we would charge the family for a funeral is nonsensical.”
Despite his comments, the City Council was expected to take up the issue Tuesday when City Attorney Carmen Trutanich reports on the costs of the event.
Trutanich launched an investigation into laws to force third parties to pay the municipal costs associated with unexpected events such as …
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