'King of Pop' gets popped with suit saying he stiffed designer. (Law).

REALITY crept in a little further on Michael Jackson last month, when a Los Angeles theme park designer sued the King of Pop for unpaid invoices related to a Las Vegas project called "Neverland Estates."

Cancilier Studio Inc. sued Jackson; his business partner, Rajendra Sharad Patel; Jackson's company, MJJ Productions Inc.; and New York-based Neverland Entertainment Inc. on April 30 in L.A. Superior Court. In the suit, Cancilier claims that Jackson and the other defendants failed to pay $77,800 in total costs for design work on the project.

The complaint called Neverland Estates a "personal theme park." Raymond Riley, the lawyer representing Cancilier, said it is a residential community with special features such as lake boating and casinos.

He said Cancilier has provided design work for properties like Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The latest suit has not yet been served to the defendants, Riley said.

"Within the last two years, we've tried to resolve the matter informally with Mr. Jackson's attorneys and have not gotten a result," said Riley, a partner at L.A.'s Riley & Reiner PLC. "He hasn't paid anything."

Jackson's attorney in Las Vegas, David LeGrand, a partner at Halen Lane Peek Dennison and Howard, did not return calls.

According to the suit, Cancilier agreed in March 2002 to provide design services on Neverland Estates. Jackson said he would pay for Cancilier's services "later," the suit says.

Cancilier is seeking the unpaid invoice dollars, plus interest and costs of the suit.

Amanda Bronstad can be reached at [phone] ext. 225, or at [e-mail].