Neither Michael Jackson [ tickets ] nor his lawyer showed up for a Wednesday morning (7/20) federal-court date in New Orleans, prompting a judge to order that the pop star defend himself against contempt charges.

The judge had set the hearing so that Jackson or his representative could give the name of the attorney who would represent him in a lawsuit filed by a Louisiana man who claims the singer sexually assaulted and imprisoned him in 1984, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reported.

Jackson's previous lawyers reportedly withdrew themselves from the case in April, then filed a $50,000 suit against the star, alleging that he hadn't paid his legal bills.

Judge Eldon Fallon scheduled a new hearing for Aug. 17, at which Jackson must show why he shouldn't be held in contempt of court. If he is, Jackson could be forced to pay a default judgment to his accuser, Joseph Bartucci.

Bartucci claims in his civil suit that he was lured into Jackson's limo in 1984 and sexually assaulted by the star, then held against his will for several days. Bartucci was 18 years old at the time of the alleged attack, and claims he suppressed memories of the event until news coverage of Jackson's recent child molestation trial triggered them. Jackson recently was acquitted of those charges.

Jackson's publicist told BBC News that Jackson would be exonerated in the Bartucci case, and that the court no-show was due to "administrative error."