Reporter arrested aboard Jackson’s jet

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AP) — A man who identified himself as a news and photo agency reporter was arrested after police said he had climbed aboard Michael Jackson’s private jet while the pop star surrendered to authorities on a child-molestation warrant.

The revelation on Wednesday came after news that Mr. Jackson and his attorney were videotaped secretly aboard the plane, triggering an FBI investigation and a lawsuit by Mr. Jackson against the charter jet company.

The possibility of a connection between the suspected trespass and the videotapes was under investigation, but no link had been made, Santa Barbara police Sgt. Dave Gonzalez said Wednesday.

Lee Kevin Madden, 27, was arrested Nov. 20 after Mr. Jackson’s security staff discovered him aboard the plane and held him for Santa Barbara police, Sgt. Gonzalez said.

At that time, Mr. Jackson was being booked by sheriff’s investigators at the county jail.

Mr. Madden, of Los Angeles, had a video camera, digital camera, notepad and metal clipboard, and said he was a reporter with the Splash news and picture agency, Sgt. Gonzalez said.

Mr. Madden was booked for investigation of misdemeanor trespassing and released.

A message seeking comment from the Marina del Rey offices of Splash and another left at a number listed under Mr. Madden’s name were not returned.

Splash identifies itself on its Web site as an independent entertainment news and picture agency, with corporate headquarters in London.

The Web site displayed photos showing the interiors of an airplane cabin with a black fedora identified as Mr. Jackson’s hat atop a seat. The site also had an exterior shot of the aircraft in a hangar with someone identified as Mr. Jackson descending its stairs to surrender.

The discovery of the videotapes came to light this week when the charter company, XtraJet of Santa Monica, showed them to news organizations.

Jackson attorney Mark Geragos said it was a violation of attorney-client privilege and sued XtraJet. A judge barred the company from releasing the tapes and doing anything with the jet until Mr. Jackson’s attorneys could inspect it.