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CORRECTS PREVIOUS CAPTION ELIMINATING EXTRANEOUS DETAILS - File - In this March 5, 2009 file photo, US singer Michael Jackson announces at a press conference that he is set to play ten live concerts at the London O2 Arena in July 2009. AEG Live LLC executive Paul Gongaware testified Monday June 3, 2013, that he never considered doing a background check on Jackson\'s personal physician and did not think a physician\'s debts would impact their medical judgment. (AP Photo/Joel Ryan, File)

Promoter CEO: Michael Jackson lawsuit is extortion attempt by pop star’s family

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The head of a concert promoter has told a U.S. jury he believes a lawsuit filed by Michael Jackson’s mother against his company is a shakedown attempt.

The statement came Tuesday during testimony by AEG Live CEO Randy Phillips.

Katherine Jackson is suing AEG Live LLC, claiming it failed to properly investigate the doctor later convicted of giving her son a fatal overdose of an anesthetic.

Phillips says he doesn’t believe his company bears any responsibility for Jackson’s death in 2009.

AEG has denied it hired former cardiologist Conrad Murray or could have known that he was giving Jackson an anesthetic as a sleep aid.

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