Trouble at Neverland Ranch

The State of California has ordered Michael Jackson’s famed Neverland Ranch to shut down, after it was discovered that Jackson has failed to pay his employees, and failed to pay the workers’ compensation insurance. The California Department of Industrial Relations discovered the issue when an employee injured at the ranch mentioned to a co-worker that they were not covered under State Insurance.

California law requires any person or business with more than one employee to pay into a workers’ compensation policy. After the incident, regulators discovered that Jackson’s coverage lapsed on Jan. 10th, 2006. The penalty assessed to Jackson for the offense was $69,000, which is $1,000 for every employee. State officials attempted to serve the notice of closure to the management of the ranch, but were turned away by security at the front gate, who had the notice served to himself. As a result of being served, employees have been asked to stay away from the ranch and can be brought up on criminal charges if they return. Ranch operators are given five days to appeal the findings.

To compound the issue, Jackson was alleged to have been derelict in paying the employees of the ranch. A minimum of 30 employees have complained they have not received their wages since December, and are owed a collective total of $306,000. For being derelict, the State has fined Jackson $100,000.

The 2,600-acre (1,100-hectare) Neverland Ranch, located in Santa Barbara Country in Central California, possesses a theme park, a 37,000 sq. ft. house, a theater, and a zoo, which is home to such exotic animals as tigers, a crocodile, giraffes, snakes and even orangutans. While the employees of the ranch will not be allowed in, local animal welfare officials have agreed to care for the animals until the situation is resolved.

Jackson was unavailable for comment, and, even though he would be allowed to reside there as this situation continues, is believed to still be a guest of the royal family of Bahrain, a small nation in the Middle East. He has been in Bahrain ever since he was acquitted of sexually molesting a minor last year. Jackson has tried to remove himself from the media spotlight, and he has gone into relative seclusion.

Michael Jackson will be able to re-open Neverland Ranch, after he pays his fines and purchases the required insurance. Until then, one of the most elegant and notoriuous estates in California will be dormant.