LA mayor criticizes staff for Web site seeking donations for Michael Jackson memorial bill

LA mayor: City should cover Jackson memorial costs

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (vee-yah-ry-GOH’-sah) has criticized his staff for setting up a Web site seeking donations to cover the city’s cost from the Michael Jackson memorial.

Villaraigosa says the city is responsible for protecting public safety and should pick up the $1.4 million tab for police overtime and other services from the event last week at Staples Center.

The mayor, who was on vacation in South Africa during the memorial, called the city’s donation Web site “ridiculous.” He says he will not ask the public or Staples Center owner AEG Live to pay.

It was not immediately clear on Monday how much money the site raised or if the money would be returned.