The Reliable Source

Michael Jackson

Seeks New Neverland

On Eastern Shore Sometimes the unlikeliest rumors do turn out to be true. Days after the first vague news reports emerged from Maryland's Eastern Shore of a real-estate-hunting Michael Jackson, the singer's reps finally broke their silence to confirm in part -- and deny in others -- the story that has had the rural peninsula buzzing.

Jackson's D.C.-based publicist, Raymone Bain, called us late Monday and said that yes, indeed, the self-proclaimed King of Pop really did visit the Eastern Shore last week "for about 24 hours," and that he really did scout out some summer houses.

But, no, he hasn't made a purchase yet, contrary to some of the more heated Internet speculation. And he's not limiting his search to the Chesapeake region: He has since "gone up the coast" to look elsewhere for a vacation place.

Jackson came east with his children about 10 days ago for meetings because "the majority of his advisers and attorneys are on the East Coast," Bain said. Meanwhile, Bain told us, "He's always admired the properties on the East Coast because they have a lot of land. Neverland has 3,000 acres -- he likes privacy. You can't find as many properties like that on the West Coast."

The Easton Star Democrat, simply citing "inside sources," reported Friday that Jackson had spent the previous night at the historic Inn at Perry Cabin in the picturesque waterfront community of St. Michaels. Inn managers declined to comment. (Bain, too, would not specify where her client stayed.) A wave of news coverage followed, although none managed to cite any definite sightings of Jackson. WBAL-TV captured video of sheets shrouding the path from the inn's exit to a waiting limousine . . . which certainly seemed like vintage Jacko.

Still, high-end real estate, of which the shore has plenty, is often a breeding ground for false VIP rumors. (Remember the Brangelina-buying-in-Kalorama one? Or TomKat-moving-to-NoVa? So juicy, so not true. ) And it remains unclear whether Jackson could actually afford a new home: In recent years, prosecutors and former financial advisers have alleged in court that the star is teetering on bankruptcy, a charge his lawyers denied; just a year ago, Jackson agreed to settle some of his mounting debts by selling half of his valuable music publishing catalogue, which includes the rights to the Beatles' songs.

A week ago, Bain was busy issuing statements denying that Jackson was on his deathbed or had been evicted from his part-time Vegas rental (he simply decided not to exercise an option to buy, she said); so while she was on the phone with us Monday, she took the time to clear up some other lingering rumors: No, he's not looking to move permanently to the East Coast -- just to buy a vacation place. And no, he didn't come east for a kidney transplant. (Whoa, we hadn't even heard that one.) "It's so much chaos and confusion," she said.

What was the purpose of his meetings out here? "A laundry list" of issues, Bain said. "He's head of a vast corporation."

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has turned down liberal provocateur director Oliver Stone's proposal to make a documentary about him because the Oscar winner is part of the "Great Satan" cultural establishment. The prez's rep told a state-affiliated news agency it's understood that Stone is "part of the opposition in the U.S." -- but still, he's American and all, ergo Team Great Satan. Stone, in a statement, said, "I have been called a lot of things, but never a great Satan." Then, just to show no hard feelings: "I wish the Iranian people well, and only hope their experience with an inept, rigid ideologue president goes better than ours."

LOVE, ETC.

· Expecting?: Nicole Richie-- Lionel 's daughter and Pari s's"Simple Life" sidekick -- is pregnant, according to TMZ.com, which covers the world of train-wreck starlets the way our colleagues here cover the White House and the Redskins and generally gets it right; TMZ in this case cites "several sources," though no official word yet from her rep. Richie, 25, most recently famous for tabloid-fretting over her shrinking skin-and-bones frame, is dating Waldorf native/Good Charlotte frontman Joel Madden.

HEY, ISN'T THAT . . . ?

· Bebe Neuwirth, trying on a totally Velma-Kelly-in-"Chicago"- style fedora Monday at the Proper Topper shop in Dupont; was as pleasant and delightful to the staff as could be, except for the not-buying-anything part. The erstwhile "Frasier" star was in town to perform at tonight's "A Capitol Fourth" concert on the Mall.

ONLINE DISCUSSION

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