DA wants Jackson's passport if UK trip is off
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District Attorney Tom Sneddon
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Mark Geragos responds to the child molestation charges filed against his client by the Santa Barbara district attorney
Tom Sneddon, district attorney of Santa Barbara County, California, says Michael Jackson faces seven counts of molestation (poor audio)
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(CNN) -- Two days after returning pop superstar Michael Jackson's passport so he could make a trip to Britain, Santa Barbara County District Attorney Tom Sneddon issued a statement Monday saying he wants the passport back if the trip has been canceled.
Jackson, 45, surrendered the passport Nov. 20, when he was booked on suspicion of child molestation in Santa Barbara and freed on $3 million bond. He has since been charged with seven counts of child molestation and two counts of giving an intoxicating liquor to a minor.
Jackson has denied the charges, which involve a boy who was younger than 14 when the incidents allegedly took place in February and March of this year.
Police returned the passport Saturday for what Jackson's lawyer, Mark Geragos, said was a planned trip by Jackson to London for business and pleasure, despite the request of several members of the British parliament for the home secretary to block the visit.
Jackson was allowed to travel until Jan. 6. His next hearing is slated for Jan. 16.
But Sneddon, reacting to news reports that Jackson had canceled the trip, issued the following statement Monday: "As of noon today, I have faxed a letter to [Jackson attorney] Mark Geragos seeking either documented confirmation of the trip or requesting the return of Michael Jackson's passport in response to reports that Mr. Jackson has canceled his trip to Great Britain.
"The trip was represented by his attorney, Mark Geragos, as necessary to fulfill two contractual agreements related to his new CD, and that failure to complete the obligations would result in significant financial penalties to Mr. Jackson. While neither the sheriff nor I saw the contract, Mr. Geragos' representations were the basis for our agreeing to the stipulation and the court signing it."
The statement was sent to members of the news media by Tellem Worldwide, the Los Angeles-based public relations firm Sneddon has said he is using to reduce the number of calls from reporters.
CNN Correspondent Art Harris contributed to this story.
