The man who holds the purse strings to Michael Jackson’s estate has also managed to carve out a lucrative side gig at the late singer’s music publishing company.
John Branca, a top entertainment lawyer and one of two executors for Jackson’s estate, sits on the board of Sony/ATV, which owns the bulk of the singer’s song catalog.
He also has landed a role as a senior adviser to parent Sony. His salary, which started at $500,000 in 2014, is set to rise to $1 million next year, according to emails leaked by Sony hackers.
Several sources tell The Post that Branca has sought a top role at Sony/ATV, which is run by CEO Martin Bandier, for some time but that Sony offered alternative arrangements instead.
His dual roles as a paid adviser to the Sony/ATV board of which he is also a member led to some handwringing within the company, according to the emails that came to light this week on WikiLeaks.
Top Sony executive Nicole Seligman scratched her head trying to figure out to whom Branca should report without ruffling feathers.
She wrote in one email: “Bandier is awkward because Branca is on the Board (as is Bandier), the Board is awkward because he is on it, so why pay him to advise it?”
The fact that Branca wears more than one hat is also raising some questions among outside observers.
Branca, along with co-executor John McClain, is tasked with assuring the financial future of Jackson’s three children — with much of their income derived from the Gloved One’s song catalog.
Sony/ATV is co-owned by Jackson’s estate and Sony. The music venture has been expanding, including teaming with an investor consortium to acquire the publishing assets of EMI in 2012.
“It’s a serious conflict of interest,” said one person, referring to Branca’s two hats working for the kids and the company. “How can he be taking money from the asset that the kids own 50 percent of?”
Branca was said to be overseas and unreachable. His lawyer, Joel Katz, declined to comment.
But Branca’s supporters say he is only looking out for the Jackson family’s interests by getting even closer to their profit source. As a consultant to Sony, he can help maximize the value of the music assets, such as advising on the purchase of new catalogs.
Branca is one of the top lawyers in the field of music and is a partner in the law firm Ziffren Brittenham. He has represented the likes of The Beach Boys, The Doors and Berry Gordy, among others.
In his consulting role, Branca will provide “legal advice on matters related to music publishing, artist development and relationships, and other matters of importance,” according to the emails.