Michael Jackson - Jackson faces losing Neverland to public auction
It is the sort of legal notice that has become distressingly familiar to thousands of Americans in the grip of the mortgage foreclosure crisis.
“You are in default under a deed of trust,” it blandly declares. “Unless you take action to protect your property, it may be sold at a public sale.”
But this no ordinary eviction. The property in question is Neverland, the opulent ranch and playground owned by pop star Michael Jackson. Unless the singer can come up with more than $24m (£12m) that he owes on the property it will go to the highest bidder at a public auction to be held on the steps of the courthouse in Santa Barbara on March 19.