The son of an Arab monarch took the King of Pop to court Monday, charging that Michael Jackson took $7 million as an advance on an album and an autobiography that he never produced.

Lawyers for Sheikh Abdulla bin Hamad Al Khalifa say their client fronted money for Jackson’s expenses as an advance payment for a book and joint recording project with the sheikh, who is an amateur musician. Jackson maintains that the money was a gift from a friend.

Attorneys for Al Khalifa said the royal prince spoke to Jackson, 50, by phone when the singer was standing trial in California as a result of his 2003 arrest on child molestation charges. Attorney Bankim Thanki said that Al Khalifa wanted to collaborate with Jackson and help to rebuild his career. Jackson’s finances were diminished after his arrest and he was desperately in need of cash.

The sheikh allegedly paid $35,000 for the utility bills for Jackson’s ranch home and amusement park, Neverland. Following Jackson’s acquittal, Al Khalifa paid an additional $2.2 million for Jackson’s legal bills.

In addition, Jackson and associates lived in Al Khalifa’s palace in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and gave him hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts, expenses, and vacations. During the time the two became close, however their relationship was strained after Jackson reportedly failed to deliver on a business arrangement.