newsmakers

March 13, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

newsmakers

Corey Haim had illegal prescription

LOS ANGELES

Authorities say actor Corey Haim had a fraudulent prescription when he died that was linked to a major drug ring.

The California Attorney General’s Office said Friday it was investigating the drug ring and how Haim obtained the prescription.

The agency offered few details in a news release, and a spokesperson did not immediately return a call seeking more information.

Coroner’s officials in Los Angeles County, where Haim died Wednesday, say four prescription drug bottles in the actor’s name were found in an apartment where he collapsed.

The coroner’s office has declined to state what medications were found but said no illegal drugs were discovered.

Haim battled addiction for years. He gained fame after starring in 1980s flicks “The Lost Boys” and “Lucas.”

Jackson’s furniture going up for auction

LOS ANGELES

The 22 pieces of custom-made furniture Michael Jackson commissioned for his London home are going on the auction block.

Darren Julien of Julien’s Auctions says a gilded, red velvet sofa that seats nine, a leopard-print chair trimmed with ostrich feathers and a pair of velvet armchairs embroidered with gold eagles are among the offerings.

Jackson intended to use the furnishings during his “This Is It” comeback concert run in London. Fans can visit a re- creation of the home at Las Vegas’ Planet Hollywood casino June 14-25 before the items are sold at auction.

ABC’s Kate Snow jumps to NBC News

NEW YORK

ABC News reporter and “Good Morning America” weekend host Kate Snow is jumping to NBC News. NBC announced Friday that Snow will begin work as a “Dateline NBC” correspondent later this spring. Snow has been with ABC since 2003 and one of its weekend morning anchors since the show launched in 2004. She covered Hillary Rodham Clinton’s presidential campaign and was one of ABC’s reporters in Haiti after the earthquake.

Snow was a contender for the newsreader job on weekday “Good Morning America,” but that role went to Juju Chang. ABC said Chang and Elizabeth Vargas will fill in for Snow this weekend.

Spector’s lawyers appeal conviction

LOS ANGELES

Lawyers for legendary music producer Phil Spector have asked an appellate court to throw out his second-degree murder conviction on grounds of judicial error and prosecutorial misconduct. In an extremely detailed 148-page brief filed Wednesday, the attorneys cited multiple reasons they believe Spector was denied his right to a fair trial. They asked the California 2nd District Court of Appeal to reverse the jury verdict and order a new trial.