Post by Taxigirl on Dec 16, 2003 10:04:16 GMT
Charges are to be filed against pop star Michael Jackson on Thursday or Friday, US officials have said.
Mr Jackson is on police bail of $3m (£1.74m) after he was arrested following allegations of child abuse.
The 45-year-old singer has strenuously denied the allegations, calling them a "big lie".
Tom Sneddon, District Attorney of Santa Barbara, California, said in a statement charges would be filed at Santa Barbara County Superior Court.
Mr Sneddon did not say what charges would be filed.
He said a press conference would be held at the same time - on Thursday afternoon or Friday morning local time.
Mr Jackson, who was arrested, cited and released after surrendering to police on 20 November, is due to appear in court on 9 January.
Because of the level of media interest in the case a special information web site has been set up by the District Attorney's office.
Mr Jackson's parents, Joe and Katherine, told a documentary shown on ABC in the US and ITV1 in the UK that their son was innocent and that prosecutors were trying to "humiliate" him.