HOSP BOOTED DYING GRANNY FOR JACKO: SUIT
By DAVID K. LI
February 19, 2007 -- Celebrity-worshiping hospital officials and malingering pop star Michael Jackson cruelly pushed an old lady out of her death bed and tormented her family, a California lawsuit charges.
Manuela Gomez Ruiz's eight kids say she was "treated like cargo" and roughly moved from her E.R. bed when Jackson - complaining of abdominal pains during his kiddie-sex trial - demanded two beds after going to the Marian Medical Center in Santa Maria on Feb. 15, 2005.
Gomez, 74, died later that night. Her family is accusing Jackson and the hospital of inflicting emotional distress and of negligence, elder abuse, false imprisonment and conspiracy.
Jackson could not be reached for comment. Hospital spokeswoman Amy Silva said, "We are confident the care provided to Mrs. Ruiz was exceptional."
The suit was filed Thursday - two years to the day and in the same courthouse where Jackson moonwalked away from the sensational sex charges.
