Jackson accuser’s stepfather testifies about alleged bribes

Santa Maria, Calif. — The stepfather of Michael Jackson’s accuser testified Tuesday that after the broadcast of a damaging TV documentary about Jackson, an associate of the pop star offered the family a college education and a house.

But the stepfather said when he sought money for the family, he was accused of blackmail.

The stepfather took the stand as the prosecution shifted from witnesses who alleged past improprieties by Jackson back to the current allegations that the singer molested a 13-year-old boy in February or March 2003, gave him alcohol and conspired to hold his family captive to get them to rebut the documentary.

In the Feb. 6, 2003, documentary, “Living With Michael Jackson,” Jackson and the boy appeared on camera, and Jackson said he let children sleep in his bed but characterized it as innocent.

Part of the stepfather’s testimony dealt with the period leading up to Feb. 19-20, 2003, when the boy, his brother, sister and mother made a rebuttal video in which they praised Jackson.

The stepfather testified he began asking Jackson associate Frank Tyson what monetary compensation there was for the family if they participated in the rebuttal video. Tyson has been named by prosecutors as an unindicted co-conspirator in Jackson’s case.

“I said, ‘What are you offering this family to do this?”‘ the stepfather said. He quoted Tyson as replying, “We’re offering protection.”‘

The stepfather continued, “I said, ‘Frank, the family doesn’t need protection. Who are you protecting them from?”‘

He said he never got an answer.

As the conversation continued, the witness said, Tyson “said he was going to offer a college education and a house.” The stepfather said he told Tyson the family did not need a house or college, and asked, “What are you offering them monetarily?”

At that point, the witness said, Tyson replied, “Are you trying to blackmail us?”

The stepfather said he had no idea there was any information that could be used for blackmail.

The stepfather described a tumultuous time in February 2003 when the mother and children were whisked off to Florida, purportedly to hold a news conference with Jackson, returned and taken to Neverland, then brought back to Los Angeles.

Britney Spears uses Web site to announce her pregnancy

Los Angeles — Britney Spears has revealed what might be Hollywood’s worst-kept secret: She’s pregnant.

In a posting on her Web site, Spears told fans that she and husband, Kevin Federline, were expecting their first child together. The couple were married in September.

“There are reports that I was in the hospital this weekend, and Kevin and I just want everyone to know that all is well. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.”

Magazines have speculated for weeks that the 23-year-old singer was pregnant, noting her expanding waistline. She’s previously expressed a desire to start a family.

Federline has two children with ex-girlfriend actress Shar Jackson.

Rapper says she’s innocent in nail salon fist fight

New York — Foxy Brown says she didn’t beat up two nail salon workers over a $20 pedicure — and her toes are worth more than that anyway.

“A $20 pedicure? Are you serious?” she joked to reporters Monday outside the courtroom where she pleaded not guilty to assault over the August 2004 incident.

“I mean, look at me!” she said.

Brown, whose real name is Inga Marchand, pleaded not guilty to using her cell phone and fist to attack the manicurists on Aug. 29.

Prosecutors charge that Brown kicked and hit a manager, Sun Ji Song. At one point, they said, the rapper slugged one of the workers with a cell phone.

She is charged with misdemeanor assault and attempted assault.

‘Catwoman’ tops curves list

New York — It must be saying something when a poll ranks a cartoon character’s waist and hips as more admirable than Queen Latifah’s. And, no, not Elmer Fudd.

Jessica Rabbit, from the 1988 movie “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” beat out Latifah by 1 percent in a survey by fitness Web site eDiets.com.

Oo, that waskawy wabbit.

Topping the list of celebs was Halle Berry, with 41 percent of the 3,424 respondents saying the actress had the best waist and hips. Catherine Zeta-Jones and Beyonce ranked second and third, followed by Jessica Rabbit and Latifah.

The survey did have more relevant information, including that 85 percent of respondents consider it very important to have a trimmer waistline

Lithgow selected as Harvard commencement speaker

Cambridge, Mass. — John Lithgow will deliver Harvard University’s 2005 commencement speech, in a departure from the school’s tradition of inviting world leaders and other dignitaries to address graduates.

Lithgow, a 1967 Harvard graduate, is the first professional artist to be Harvard’s main commencement speaker since novelist Carlos Fuentes in 1983.

Harvard President Lawrence Summers said Lithgow was selected to speak at the June 9 ceremony because he personifies Harvard’s devotion to the creative arts.