A couple of potential buyers for Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch are perceivably attempting to make a mockery of the late King of Pop’s reputation as a child molester by proposing to turn the barren estate into a rehab center for sexually battered youth.
Reports Page Six:
While two bidders’ desire to turn the 2,700-acre property into a Graceland-like attraction might thrill the Gloved One’s fans, another businessman’s proposal for sex-assault rehab would likely have him twitching in his tomb.
The local businessman offered “in the neighborhood of $40 million” for the use, said a source with direct knowledge of the sale process.
“His goal is for the place to be used to help children in a serene setting recover from the trauma of sex abuse,” the source said.
“The plan is to have children come there for treatment, and they will also hire trained therapists who would help the victims through the use of equine-assisted therapy, which works to improve the kids’ self-esteem, and it helps them to become more outgoing.”
Jacko was accused multiple times of luring kids to the Los Olivos, Calif., ranch to molest them.
In its glory days, it housed an amusement park, a two-story arcade, candy stores, a movie theater, and orangutans, llamas, a lion, snakes, horses and elephants.
Colony Capital, a hedge fund headed by real-estate investor Thomas Barrack, seized control of the ranch from the debt-ridden singer in 2008, the year before his death at age 50.
It believes it can sell the estate for $75 million.
Using Michael Jackson’s likeness would it make it difficult to turn the property into a shrine but as for the sexual assault rehabilitation center? Yikes.
Check out pictures of the storied grounds in the gallery below.
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Photos: Nikki Nelson/WENN
