Judge opens door for Jackson items auction

U.S. pop star Michael Jackson’s initial request to stop the auction of 2,000 of his personal belongings is rejected, a Los Angeles judge says.

E! Online said the judge, whose identity was not reported, denied the singer’s request for a preliminary injunction against the sale of Jackson’s clothing, furniture and other memorabilia.

Jackson’s attorneys will now seek a permanent injunction at a April 15 hearing. Jackson’s camp had given the targeted items to Julien’s Auction House during the singer’s past financial restructuring efforts.

MMJ Productions filed suit in Los Angeles Superior Court March 4 in an attempt to stop to the auction, which will take place April 22-25 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, E! Online said.

Auction house owner Darren Julien told the entertainment Web site the suit’s claim that Jackson never intended for his items to be sold was disappointing.

To say (Jackson) hadn’t intended for these items to be auctioned was disappointing, he said.