Jackson MD lawyers: Vegas deal makes license safe

[June 25, 2010]  LAS VEGAS (AP) -- The Nevada medical license of Michael Jackson's former physician is safe under an agreement struck with prosecutors on a back child support case, the doctor's lawyers said Thursday,

Attorneys Kristine Brewer and Robert Blau said they reached an accord with the Clark County district attorney's office to settle the child support issue, and Dr. Conrad Murray won't have to appear for a Friday hearing before a Clark County Family Court officer in Las Vegas.

"A payment has been made and the license suspension has been withdrawn," Blau said.

Brewer and Blau declined to disclose the amount paid and other terms of the deal until they appear before a hearing officer on Murray's behalf to finalize the deal. The hearing comes on the one-year anniversary of Jackson's death in Los Angeles.

Chief Deputy Clark County District Attorney Gerard Costantian, the Family Court prosecutor handling Murray's case, declined comment until after the hearing.

Murray, 57, had faced the loss of his license to practice medicine in Nevada under a state law that provides for suspension of professional licenses for nonpayment of child support. He has cardiology practices in Las Vegas and Houston.

Murray's medical license is restricted in California, Nevada and Texas by orders prohibiting him from administering the anesthetic drug blamed in Jackson's death. He told Los Angeles police he administered the anesthetic propofol to Jackson to help the pop star sleep.

Murray has remained free on $75,000 bail pending trial on a felony involuntary manslaughter charge in Los Angeles in Jackson's death.

His attorneys have argued that Murray needs to be able to work to pay his child support obligation and his legal fees.

Murray reached an agreement last November with the mother of his 12-year-old son in California to begin paying $1,003 per month in child support. But Costantin said in May that Murray still owed about $16,000 in back child support, and Nevada was obligated to ensure he made good on the debt.

Murray's license to practice in his home state of Nevada remained clouded after he lost a bid last month to get a judge in California's Santa Clara County to sign off on the agreement with the woman.

[Associated Press; By KEN RITTER]

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