Mother of Jackson Accuser Pleads Innocent

The mother of the boy who accused Michael Jackson of molesting him pleaded not guilty to welfare fraud Tuesday.

The woman, who remained unnamed in order to keep her son's identity safe, entered the plea in Superior Court to four felony counts of "perjury by false application for aid" and one count of "aid by misrepresentation," a violation of the Welfare and Institutions Code.

The mother, 37, was released without bail pending an October 28 hearing. Prosecutors claim that she collected $18,782 in fraudulently obtained welfare payments between November 2001 and March 2003 by failing to reveal money she had received from a lawsuit settlement.

Each perjury charge carries a potential sentence of two to four years in prison. The welfare code violation carries a potential sentence of sixteen months to three years.Patricia Hattersley, the woman's attorney, said she and her client did not have any comment.

Jackson was acquitted of charges in June that he gave her underage son liquor and molested him at the enteretainer's Neverland ranch in Santa Barbara County. During the criminal trial, the accuser's mother summoned her Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination and refused to testify about the welfare matter.

Many jurors said her lack of credibility was a major factor in their verdicts.