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os Angeles, Jul 9: The memorial service arranged for Michale Jackson may have been heart touching for his family, friends and fans; but it has turned into quiet another issue for the city authorities.
The total cost of the biggest ever memorial service has added up to a whopping 1.4 million dollars, the mayor's office said. The spokesperson Sarah Hamilton said that this heavy bill included the expenses of providing security the streets, sanitation, traffic control and more.
The cash strapped city has now called on the fans of the King of Pop to donate money to the city. The donors around the globe have already donated above 17,000 dollars through the website set up by the city that was already facing a debt of 530 million dollars.
However, like the traffic news or videos on the death of Michael Jackson attracted, the website set up for donations too got so much traffic that it crashed frequently and for long periods of time.
On the other hand, Los Angeles City Attorney Carmen Trutanich has expressed his contempt over this issue. The Attorney's spokesperson said that Trutanich doesn't want the taxpayers to pay for the service.
"That's especially in a cash-strapped city, where people have been furloughed or even lost jobs," spokesman John Franklin added.
