Janet Jackson's lawyer dismisses allegations over brother Michael's funeral

JANET JACKSON's lawyer has dismissed "outrageous" allegations suggesting the star delayed her late brother Michael's funeral over a financial dispute.

The Thriller hitmaker died on 25 June, 2009 after suffering a cardiac arrest brought on by an overdose of anesthetic Propofol.

He was publicly remembered at a memorial the following month (Jul09) before a private burial took place in early September, 2009.

Editors at Vanity Fair alleged this week (begs01Oct12) that Janet had delayed her sibling's funeral over money owed relating to the burial plot deposit. The article appeared on the magazine's website on Thursday (04Oct12) and contained excerpts from Randall Sullivan's upcoming book, Untouchable: The Strange Life and Tragic Death of Michael Jackson - but the R&B singer's lawyer has moved swiftly to deny the report.

In a statement, obtained by ETOnline.com, Graydon Carter writes, "To falsely accuse Ms. Jackson of holding up her brother's funeral over money is outrageous. Ms. Jackson never delayed the funeral in any way.

"In fact, she paid for the funeral and was reimbursed for some of those expenses by Michael Jackson's estate in the year after the services took place. In addition, there were other private costs associated with Michael Jackson's passing that Ms. Jackson incurred and for which she never sought reimbursement."