Warrant sought for Michael Jackson’s Vegas physician over child support

By Jeff German

Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009 | 4:10 p.m.

Clark County prosecutors are seeking an arrest warrant for the Las Vegas physician at the heart of the investigation into Michael Jackson's death over the physician's failure to pay $13,311 in child support.

Merle Lok, a Family Court hearing master, recommended the warrant today at the request of the district attorney's office after Dr. Conrad Murray did not show up for a "review hearing" in his child support case. The money is owed to Nenita Malibiran in Santa Clara County in Northern California.

Family Court Judge Robert Teuton now must decide whether to issue the warrant.

District Attorney David Roger said his office also is considering asking the Nevada Board of Medical Examiners to suspend Murray's license to practice medicine here because of the delinquent child support payments.

"While Dr. Murray may have other problems, he still has an obligation to pay support for his child," Roger said. "It's rare that we get to the point where we have to go after a person's professional license to get them to fulfill their financial responsibilities."

Federal drug agents and Los Angles police searched the Las Vegas home and office of Murray in July as part of the investigation into Jackson's death. The 5,268-square-foot home, valued at $1.5 million, is in the exclusive Red Rock Country Club.

Murray, the pop star's personal physician, reportedly gave Jackson the anesthetic propofol the night before his June 25 death.

Investigators also searched the 56-year-old cardiologist's office in Houston in July.