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The mother of the teenage boy who accused "King of Pop" Michael Jackson of molesting him pleaded no contest Monday to charges of welfare fraud at a Los Angeles court.
The 38-year-old woman, painted at last year's trial -- in which Jackson was acquitted -- as a money-seeking opportunist out to extort celebrities, was accused of scamming around 8,000 dollars from authorities in welfare checks.
Prosecutors sought charges after alleging the woman, whose name is being withheld in media reports to protect her son's identity, had failed to disclose money from an insurance settlement.
Defence lawyers said the woman was confident of being found not guilty, but decided to plead no contest in order to "move on with her life."
"She doesn't want to put her family and her children through a major trial," defence lawyer Patricia Hattersley told reporters.
Judge Barbara Johnson said the woman would not have to return to court for sentencing next April provided she completed 150 hours of community service and paid around 8,600 dollars in restitution by that time.
The woman's credibility was mauled by Jackson's defence team at last year's trial in Santa Maria, California.
Brian Oxman, a longtime attorney for the Jackson family, said Monday's developments gave the reclusive pop star a sense of vindication.
"This has been a long and very difficult process that started in 2003 and has finally ended with the equivalent of a guilty plea," Oxman said.
"Michael Jackson doesn't want retribution, but has always felt he has been wronged."
Jackson's lead defence lawyer Thomas Mesereau said at last year's trial the woman had unsuccessfully sought money from Hollywood superstar Jim Carrey, boxer Mike Tyson and US comedian Adam Sandler.
When those alleged ruses failed, she turned her sights on Jackson, Mesereau claimed.
"The mother, with her children as tools, was trying to find a celebrity to latch onto, Mesereau said. "Unfortunately for Michael Jackson, he fell for it. That's where it all begins."
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AFPEntertainment-US-people-justice-Jackson
AFP 132306 GMT 11 06
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