MJ was forceful businessman, says AGE Live CEO

The CEO of AEG Live LLC has testified that he knew Michael Jackson as a sophisticated, forceful businessman and not as the drugged-up performer.

The company's president and CEO, Randy Philips, told the jurors on Wednesday that Jacko was a far more complex figure than has been portrayed during the trial of a case filed by the late singer's mother, Katherine, against AEG Live over her son's death, the Fox News reported.

According to Phillips, based on meetings he had with Jackson in 2008 and early 2009, he found the late singer to be a "sophisticated man who had control of his life."

Phillips claimed that the portrait of the King of Pop's that's been presented to the jury during the seven-week trial has been inaccurate.

Jackson was described by both sides in opening statements as struggling with prescription drug addiction throughout his life.

Phillips also asserted that he disagreed with the descriptions of Jackson as according to him the man he dealt with was forceful, kind but determined.

Jurors were told by Phillips that Jackson never told him he was having trouble sleeping.

He said that he didn't see signs that Jackson was struggling with prescription drugs when he met with the entertainer to discuss options for his "This Is It" comeback concerts scheduled for London's O2 Arena in 2009.