State officials have fined Michael Jackson $69,000 and told himhe cannot employ 69 workers at his Neverland Ranch because theirworkers' compensation policy expired in January, an officialsaid.

Dean Fryer, spokesman for the California Department ofIndustrial Relations, said the agency had issued a stop orderpreventing the use of any employee labor “until they have obtainedworkers' compensation insurance.”

He said the policy lapsed Jan. 10, and the department had becomeinvolved because many of the ranch employees had contacted DIRcomplaining about unpaid wages that had not been forthcoming comesince December.

“One employee made a comment that there was no [workers']compensation insurance, and he was concerned because he had heardan employee had an injury,” prompting an investigation, accordingto Mr. Fryer. He said the fine was $1,000 per worker based on thelast 2005 payroll tax report to the state.

“We're working with representatives of Mr. Jackson. We were toldyesterday those representatives told employees they can't continueworking until they sort this out. We will follow up. If we identifyemployees still actively working, we can proceed with otheravenues,” said Mr. Fryer

These other “avenues,” he explained, include obtaining a civilinjunction or referring the case to the district attorney's officeto bring criminal charges.

Mr. Jackson has lived in the Persian Gulf nation of Bahrainsince being acquitted of child molestation charges last year.

The sprawling, landscaped 2,600-acre Neverland ranch containsamusement park rides and has housed a variety of zoo animals,including elephants and tigers.

Mr. Fryer said the department notified local animal welfareagencies of the employee shutdown so they could make arrangementsto feed and care for the animals.

Ranch operators have five days to appeal the order and fine, Mr.Fryer said.

The department has also sent a letter to Mr. Jackson'saccounting firm, asking his business managers to pay $306,000 inback wages.