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La Toya lays blame for Jackson's death

LOS ANGELES, July 13 (UPI) -- La Toya Jackson alleges her brother Michael was effectively killed by his greedy and manipulative entourage, a charge LA police say they aren't ready to make.

The 53-year-old pop singer said her family is concerned those who hung around her even more famous brother may have been focused more on obtaining his wealth than being his friend, The Independent reported Sunday.

"We don't think just one person was involved in the murder. It was a conspiracy to get Michael's money," she told the British newspaper.

She said her family is planning to sue any unidentified individuals deemed responsible for Jackson's June 25 death at the age of 50.

"He was surrounded by a bad circle. Michael was a very meek, quiet, loving person," she said.

"Michael was worth more than $1 billion. When anyone is worth that much money, there are always greedy people around them."

Meanwhile, authorities aren't ready to address any such allegations.

"We are still awaiting corroboration from the coroner's office as to cause of death. That is going to be very dependent on the toxicology reports that are due to come back," Los Angeles Police Commissioner William Bratton was quoted as saying by The Times of London.

Report: Seacrest inks $45M deal

LOS ANGELES, July 13 (UPI) -- Ryan Seacrest has inked a three-year deal with CKX for $45 million, making him the best paid U.S. reality television host ever, The Hollywood Reporter said.

CKX owns 19 Entertainment, which produces "American Idol," the popular singing competition series of which Seacrest serves as host.

As part of the pact, Seacrest will earn $15 million a year in exchange for working exclusively for CKX in broadcast prime-time television as host of "Idol" or whatever CKX-produced show might succeed it, the entertainment industry trade newspaper said.

Seacrest reportedly was paid $5 million per season before the new deal was signed.

He has a separate cable agreement with Comcast and is E! Entertainment's lead anchor.

19 Entertainment, FremantleMedia North America and Fox, the network on which "Idol" airs, declined to comment on the story, The Hollywood Reporter said.

Book author says Jacko was gay

LOS ANGELES, July 13 (UPI) -- The author of a new book about Michael Jackson claims he interviewed two of the late U.S. pop star's alleged male lovers.

Jackson, who was married to and divorced from Lisa Marie Presley and Debbie Rowe, died June 25 of cardiac arrest after a suspected prescription drug overdose. He was 50.

Although there has been much speculation about Jackson's sexuality throughout his life, the singer always maintained he was heterosexual.

The New York Post quoted investigative journalist Ian Halperin as saying in his book "Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson" that "virtually everybody I've interviewed about Jackson has told me: He's gay."

"Even those who are his most ardent defenders, people who maintain that he is innocent of the molestation charges, insist that he is homosexually inclined," Halperin wrote in the book due out this week. "In the course of my investigations, I spoke to two of his gay lovers, one a Hollywood waiter, the other an aspiring actor. 'Lawrence' said Jackson was introduced to him by the sister of one of his aides. Their affair was short but 'passionate' and took place almost every night for three weeks at the actor's home in the Hollywood Hills."

Halperin also said Jackson left his upscale residence in Las Vegas in 2007 to meet another boyfriend at a run-down motel.

"He met a construction worker and fell madly in love with him," a source said to have been close to Jackson told Halperin. "Michael would leave the house in disguise, often dressed as a woman, and would go meet his boyfriend at a motel that was one of Vegas' grungiest dives. Michael was broke. He struggled to put food on the table for his children. That was all he could afford then."

McCartney set for 1st 'Late Show' gig

NEW YORK, July 13 (UPI) -- British rock 'n' roll icon Paul McCartney has agreed to make his first visit to the "Late Show with David Letterman," CBS announced.

The singer, musician and composer is expected to appear on the episode of the chat show airing Wednesday, the network said.

"The legendary musician, who, as part of The Beatles, made his U.S. television debut at the Ed Sullivan Theater on 'The Ed Sullivan Show' 45 years ago, returns to that very stage to sit down for an interview with Letterman. McCartney will also perform later in the broadcast," CBS said in a news release.

McCartney most recently released the album, "Electric Arguments," his third release under the name "The Fireman." He is also to begin a series of shows across the United States, beginning Friday at CitiField in New York, then heading to Washington, Boston, Atlanta, Tulsa and wrapping up in Dallas Aug. 19.