Michael Jackson's chief spokesman has resigned, citing "strategic differences" with other members of the embattled pop star's team over the handling of child-molestation charges.
Mr Stuart Backerman stepped down on Monday after CBS News broadcast an interview with Jackson in which the onetime "King of Pop" said he still saw nothing wrong with sleeping with children and claimed to have been mistreated by police.
"I resigned today over strategic differences with the way things are going," Mr Backerman said. He declined to elaborate on those differences. "The one thing I will say is that I love Michael Jackson and his fans."
Mr Backerman said he did not know who would replace him as spokesman for the 45-year-old entertainer, who was charged less than two weeks ago with nine counts of child molestation.
Jackson is being represented in that case by high-profile Los Angeles lawyer Mr Mark Geragos, who sat in on the CBS interview and in one case prevented his client from answering a question from TV personality Ed Bradley.
Mr Geragos could not be reached for comment after business hours on Monday evening.