Michael Jackson charged with lewd, lascivious acts by Santa Barbara D.A

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SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Child molestation charges against Michael Jackson are being driven by “money and revenge,” said defense attorney Mark Geragos, who vowed to derail the alleged victim’s credibility and fight what he called a prosecutor’s vendetta.

For District Attorney Thomas Sneddon, whose similar 1993 case against the pop singer evaporated when the accuser reportedly accepted millions in settlement money, the charges filed Thursday represent a second chance to convict the fading pop star before the prosecutor begins his planned retirement.

Unlike the 1993 case, Sneddon says, this time he has a cooperative witness who isn’t interested in a piece of Jackson’s fortune.

The self-styled “King of Pop” faces seven counts of molesting a child under the age of 14. He also was charged with two counts of plying the boy with “an intoxicating agent” to make it easier to carry out the assaults. A source speaking for the family on condition of anonymity told The Associated Press the substance was wine.

The molestation charges each carry between three and eight years in prison.

Geragos denounced the allegations as driven by money and vengeance, and said Jackson, who is free on $3 million bail, looks forward to resolving the matter in court.