Jackson in Watch Dispute

By Stephen M. Silverman

08/26/1998 at 12:00 AM EDT

Michael Jackson has been sued for $1.45 million by Beverly Hills jeweler David Orgell over a reputedly one-of-a-kind diamond-encrusted wristwatch that the pop star allegedly had in his possession for four months. According to legal papers filed in Los Angeles Superior Court yesterday, the sales staff at the store allowed Jackson to take the watch for a few days to decide whether or not to purchase it. But the few days stretched out to more than 120 days, claims Orgell (whose attorney is former O.J. Simpson lawyer Robert Shapiro), despite frequent invoices demanding payment. When the watch was returned in April of this year, says Orgell's papers, it was scratched "and not in the same condition as when he took possession." Reps for Jackson had no comment when contacted by the Associated Press.