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It's Getting Even Weirder
As for his recent allegations about McMillan, the attorney for his co-author, Katherine Jackson, Hoefflin upped the ante in his eight-page letter to me, claiming that McMillan “extracted, without approval, $6.5 million to pay himself for apparent fabricated legal billings” and thus “attempting to intimidate me into seclusion.”
The letter also had some direct threats for me, suggesting that I should “stop having telephone conversations or emails with anyone until you hire a good criminal-defense attorney.”
“My investigational (sic) team will use an electron microscope to examine every second and every millimeter of your life,” Hoefflin’s letter continued. “When something tangible, important, involving torts, or criminal activities is found, it will be reported to the authorities investigating you and will then be added to my book."
The book Hoefflin should probably be worried about is the LAPD's. According to an LAPD source familiar with the incidents involving Hoefflin, investigators have taken notice of the plastic surgeon's recent missives, including the comments about McMillan. “Next time he goes off the deep end,” a police source told me, “he won’t be on a 72-hour [psychiatric] hold. We’ll make sure he’s held for a significant period of time.”
Investigative journalist and syndicated columnist Diane Dimond has covered the Michael Jackson story since 1993 when she first broke the news that the King of Pop was under investigation for child molestation. She is author of the book, Be Careful Who You Love—Inside the Michael Jackson Case. She lives in New York with her husband, broadcast journalist, Michael Schoen.
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Investigative journalist and syndicated columnist Diane Dimond has covered the Michael Jackson story since 1993 when she first broke the news that the King of Pop was under investigation for child molestation. She is author of the book, Be Careful Who You Love—Inside the Michael Jackson Case. She lives in New York with her husband, broadcast journalist Michael Schoen.
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Investigative journalist and syndicated columnist Diane Dimond has covered the Michael Jackson story since 1993 when she first broke the news that the King of Pop was under investigation for child molestation. She is author of the book, Be Careful Who You Love—Inside the Michael Jackson Case. She lives in New York with her husband, broadcast journalist Michael Schoen.
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Investigative journalist and syndicated columnist Diane Dimond has covered the Michael Jackson story since 1993 when she first broke the news that the King of Pop was under investigation for child molestation. She is author of the book, Be Careful Who You Love—Inside the Michael Jackson Case. She lives in New York with her husband, broadcast journalist Michael Schoen.
StellaRay
My God. This is all just so----well, the dictionary doesn't have the words for it. I think Ms. Dimond has done a good job of proving her case here. And it's very scary.
The fact that Dr. Hoefflin is still free to practice is gobsmacking. For all the talk and argument about health care reform it seems so unbelievable that a man like this rides above it all.
Who is to blame? The AMA for not policing its own, the police who have not moved against this nut, the community of shallowness and foregivness that is Hollywood?
There is so much wrong here on every level. MJ is dead, the abuses that Hoefflin perpetrated on Jackson, with his full consent, are buried in MJ's casket.
But people, really, is this guy someone who should still be out there practicing?
I'm thankful that I've never had the money, the status or the desire to get mixed up with the likes of Dr. Hoefflin.
Hushy77
I wanted to thank Diane Diamond for excellent work on her recent article on Michael Jackson and his plastic surgeon Dr. Hoefflin. People on the inside know how truly crazy and completely ridiculous Dr. Hoefflin is and his behavior is disgusting. He continues to leach of off this family. I'm sure if you continue to follow this "relationship", everyone will be shocked.
emmalinelee
I think all of you folks out there who read sensationalism need to know the following: I am former patient of Dr. Hoefflin's. I flew from New York to LA specifically to see him in the late 80's. I can not comment on his alleged troubles or behavior because I haven't seen him since - I didn't need to. The work he performed was IMPECCABLE, and to this day, 20 years later wouldn't dream of letting anyone touch it. IF this story is true, I am sorry that such a brilliant individual seems to have lost his path. If it's NOT true, whoever participates in this rumor mill should be shot.
emmalinelee
I also have to wonder why, though my comment was posted, it was buried under two old posts from last year. Hmmmm... maybe because of the outright contradiction to what had been published here and negates the sensationalist angle and sets a more rational tone ~ from someone who has actually dealt with Dr. Hoefflin directly. I'd be interested to see if THIS comment is posted at all. Shame on The Daily Beast if it's censoring/burying comments.
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aspiecelia
Is this guy still practicing medicine? Sounds like he needs some kind of intervention. Is he on drugs or does he have a mental illness, or both. Clearly he is very disturbed.
sparknut
When doctors complain about spiraling malpractice rates, they should look at people like "Dr." Hoefflin. His license to practice medicine should have been revoked long ago. But states are very slow to remove the whack jobs from medical practice.
BrawkSamson
Catch-22
"Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get me."
:D
MurrayAbraham
Obviously plenty of vultures were, and are, circling.
Southpaw
And people let this weirdo get near them with scalpel? Oy.
RTL212
From reading all of the recent detail about Jackson, his advisers, doctors, family etc...it may seem impolite to say, but Jackson truly died of stupidity.
People don't get access to your money, your kids, your body without your consent. There are literally thousands of highly competent doctors and financial advisers within 5 miles of where he lived, then and recently. He chose fools to be clsoe to him because he was comfortable with fools - they were his peeps.
I guess this shows that if you're dumb enough and rich enough you can try to live outside the boundaires of a real life, but eventually stupidity can kill you.
Were the hangers on corrupt? I guess. But what do you do when an idiot wants to give you tons of money to do stupid things?
The doctors should of course lose their licenses, but it is very difficult to feel sympathy for a fool, evne one who could sing and dance well. His money could have gone to terrific causes, but he chose to indulge himse;lf and his final indulgence killed him.
leadfoot66
First of all you didn't know Michael , second you can't be calling him names and saying he used his money for him self , he gave millions to the world to help helpless familys and kids , and aides , so how dare you say this . I can't stand it when people have no clue who or what Michael was about , so what he did some pills , to sleep or for pain , there are so many other illegal drugs out there he could of done but he didn't . It happened and we lost him , now he is in a better place than earth , and with the goverment telling how to raise our families and what , where , how to live our lives ,and this dumb war that is making people lose everything why go after someone who is gone , why not focus on the goverment and leave the dead alone .In fact leave Michael Jackson alone .
pclayton
I totally agree. Yes, there are incompetent bizarre 'professionals' out there (law, medicine, business) and it is up to us as adults, creative/famous or not, to protect ourselves from being taken in by them. Michael Jackson wasn't able to do that, nor did he have anyone around him, apparently, whose advice he would take to keep him out of harm's way so he met his demise, despite his wealth. From all accounts it appears that Jackson would befriend anyone who had access to drugs, even allowed them to mutilate his face. Yes, this kook Hoefflin belongs in a hospital for the criminally insane as a patient but it amazes me that anyone--anyone--would allow him to perform surgery. Just look at the results of Jackson's nose; I mean, does anyone think that probiscus is the work of plastic surgeon with a genius IQ? Is that what Jackson really wanted to look like: a grown man with a nose designed for a Kewpie doll? I can't determine who was nuttier.
revcat
It's a well known fact that MJ donated MILLIONS of dollars to charity which refutes part of your post. And as for calling MJ a stupid idiot, that's just your opinion and more than a little harsh, however I do think MJ had some type of mental problem(s). This doesn't mean he was crazy, but, for example, his plastic surgery went way too far. He must have been very unhappy with his image to mutilate himself like that and the doctor is partially responsible as he should not have cooperated. MJ had other problems too, but he's gone now and I hope he is resting in peace. The media dehumanized him, but he was a human being with flaws just like the rest of us.
aperturemad
This is not journalism. This is silly gossip of the most sordid and pointless kind. LA is bursting with marginal or border-line leeches . This man is ill. This "journalist" has offered nothing of value. Shame on you Ms. Dimond.
keemia
This was a very good and detailed article about the way medicine is practiced for the super rich, and a crazy man who continues to do so.
BabySnooks
The Jacksons are merely the bigger of the fish that attract the pirahnas in the pond of fame and fortune. Pirahnas of course are cannibalistic and if the food supply dwindles, they begin to eat their own. Which sums up life in Los Angeles. This man shouldn't be practicing medicine. But then quite a few shouldn't be. But it's Los Angeles. The pirahnas protect themselves. Mainly because from time to time the food supply dwindles.
kscr14
Classic mental illness. This is exactly why medical privacy is in place. Shame on Diane Dimond. Mental illness is a very tragic health issue to deal with.Let alone in a forum like this,written so dirty. Many people have these symptoms managed.It can happen .Public humiliation can only make it worse.
eeyore5662
What's really sad -- anyone blaming the journalist for her article!! Also, anyone who could look at Jackson and honestly believe him to be of sound mind and body, now that's really said. They would rather worship this self-proclaimed idol because he could sing and dance than they would to face the truth about him. I was totally upset that they gave his mother custody of his children. Three more lives thrown into the pit for the vultures to pick at and possibly destroy as they did him. You may not like what the journalist wrote, but, hey, don't shoot the messenger. As far as privacy, seems to me the doctor took care of that issue himself.
This comment has been removed by The Daily Beast's editors.
revcat
Well, I sort of agree with you in this case, but Diane Dimond is a vulture who has made most of her living off of Michael Jackson and her career is now revived a bit as she has his corpse to pick at. Many of the "posters" are aware of this and may be reacting to her in general as opposed to this specific article.
mdreader
So if doctors abuse or take advantage of the mentally ill, no one should report on it, according to you.
I don't agree.
Veronicaxy
So kscr14, you want someone who wields a knife and a state sanctioned MD degree, who apparently is very mentally ill, to not be exposed to you and the rest of the public?
It's critical for the public to know the truth about this individual to protect themselves.
It's more important for all of us to understand that the system that is supposed to protect us from unstable medical professionals is clearly not working.
Why in the world are you busy shooting the messenger and not paying attention to the message?
OffenbachStutz
I sincerely hope he recovers in time to enter GOP presidential primaries in 2012.
camfield
Good one!
naomaf
Jackson is dead. CAN WE MOVE ON????
revcat
Move on, nobody is stopping you, are they? It's simple, don't read it and turn the dial on the TV.
citivas
I couldn't disagree more with the posters who are mad at the reporter and say this guy is mentally ill so leave him alone. He's still walking free without any self-awareness or treatment for his illness. More importantly, he is still a close friend and advisor of new legal guardian of Michael's children. What does that say about her fitness as a guardian that she has not realized this man is mentally unfit and to the contrary is engaged in projects with him? Showing just how unbalanced some of those still close to the Jackson family are is high relevant to the only part of this whole sordid affair that really matters, the kids...
jhub32
Exactly!
BabySnooks
At least he hasn't intimated that he's the father of the children the way Arnie Klein has.
enfinlily
I agree with RTL212. Maybe not stupid, but definately uneducated. But what can you expect from a child who was exploited his entire life and never received even the most elementary of educations. Most of us make a bad decision now and then but we learn from them. He didn't know how to do that.
pclayton
And this "child" who could not make responsible decisions for himself decided to procure and raise other children? My goodness.
jenny4hill
People do it all the time.
Annie57
Oh, my God. All these years, as Michael's appearence became more and more bizarre, I kept thinking, why would these plastic surgeons keep operating on Michael Jackson when their efforts are making him look strange and otherworldly instead of better. It disturbed me to think that doctors, who are put on a sort of a pedestal in our society, would be so crass as to take money to do something that wasn't only not benficial, but instead detrimental to the appearence and well being of the patient. Now we find out that this particular doctor is not only probably greedy for fame and fortune, but crazy as well. It's really scary that a guy like this has a license to practice medicine and prescribe drugs.
I think Diane Diamond should keep up the good work. This piece was compulsively readable and fascinating, although in a tragic way.
shle896
As always, Diane Diamond provides excellent reporting, proving that in Hollywierd, even the people surrounding Michael Jackson, are every bit as strange as he was!
You can't make this stuff up!
conservative4life
Can you say, delusions of grandeur?!
karente
You hit the nail exactly on the head, I was thinking the same thing.
Thank you.
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