Michael Jackson says heartless thieves swiped precious home videos of his family and are holding them for ransom.
The videos were snatched during one of Jackson’s recent trips to France.
“Shortly after the theft, an anonymous caller demanded $100,000 for the return of the stolen tapes,” said Howard Rubenstein, the entertainer’s spokesman.
He said a supermarket tabloid was then offered photos from the tape.
One video was filmed at Jackson’s Neverland Ranch in California at Christmas and on New Year’s Day.
It shows the entertainer playing with his son, Prince, 2, and daughter, Paris, 1.
A second video was shot in Jackson’s hotel suite as he and his kids visited Euro Disney last July.
To stop the tapes from being made public, Jackson’s longtime litigation counsel, Lavely and Singer, issued a stern warning last night.
“Jackson is the sole and exclusive owner,” the law firm said in a statement.
Anybody using the tapes “will be subject to an immediate action [for] copyright infringement [and] violations – [and] Jackson will seek substantial damages.”
Rubenstein said the material on the tapes is strictly G-rated.
“There’s nothing embarrassing at all on the tapes – that’s not why he’s fighting to recover them. They’re private family videos,” he said.
He also said Jacko has no idea who stole the tapes.
The theft is the latest setback for the mask-wearing King of Pop – who’s had a rough year professionally and personally.
Earlier this month, his second wife, Debbie Rowe, filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.
The two wed in November 1996 – months after Jackson busted up with his first wife, Lisa Marie Presley.
A report in the National Enquirer said settlement terms included Debbie getting $8 million, and Jackson getting custody of the kids.
Jackson, 41, also canceled his millennium performances in Honolulu and Sydney, Australia.
He had been set to ring in the new year in Australia, then jet to Hawaii, which is 20 hours behind.
Jackson’s camp said that the singer would be too busy recording a new album to do the shows.