LA Asks Jackson Fans for Donations

Los Angeles (myFOXla.com) - Acting Los Angeles Mayor Jan Perry said donors were coming forward to help the city cover expenses associated with Michael Jackson's memorial service at Staples Center today.

"I've received e-mails that are really kind of touching because they're obviously coming from fans," she said. "They're very sweet, saying things like `I can give $10, $25 and I can organize my friends.' But I think there will be a significant announcement that we'll be able to make in the next day or so."

She declined to say if any corporate sponsors or any of the entertainer's famous friends have offered to help.

Those wanting to make donations were being asked to do so through the official Web site of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, which accepts all major credit cards and gives instructions for sending a check payable to the "city of Los Angeles."

The mayor's Facebook page, facebook.com/villaraigosa , and twitter page, twitter.com/villaraigosa , both contain links to the Web site.

The Web site includes this appeal: "Help the city of Angels provide the extraordinary public safety resources required to give Michael the safe, orderly and respectful memorial he deserves. If you're a Michael fan, consider giving a small donation to help us celebrate his extraordinary life and music."

All donations are tax-deductible.

Los Angeles City Councilman Dennis Zine said the city may pay as much as $3.8 million in extra security and logistical costs related to the memorial, based on estimates from the City Council's chief legislative analyst.

Zine, a former cop and union official, called on AEG, which owns Staples Center and was to have put on Jackson's comeback tour, to cover the cost.

Concerned about the expense, City Attorney Carmen Trutanich went to the City Council chamber this morning and announced that his office is "investigating how this whole phenomenon occurred."

He questioned whether city officials followed proper procedure in authorizing spending for the memorial.

"My job is to protect the treasury and that's exactly what I'm going to do," Trutanich said. "We're in extremely tough budget times and protocols need to be put in place so we won't be caught in this lurch again in the future."

Perry, acting mayor while the vacationing Antonio Villaraigosa is out of town, conceded "it may be that some people got ahead of themselves." She did not specify whom she was referring to.

She agreed there is a need for "very clear-cut and very well-drawn procedures."

Trutanich said he would try to help the city recoup money for the memorial and hinted that he may speak with representatives of the Jackson family to discuss it.