MARILYN MANSON - MANSON WINS PRIVACY ORDER IN GACY LAWSUIT

LATEST: MARILYN MANSON has won a court bid to keep details of his financial affairs private as part of his ongoing legal battle with former bandmate MADONNA WAYNE GACY. Gacy sued the Shock Rocker for breach of contract last August (07), claiming Manson - real name Brian Warner - poured the group's money into financing his drug habit, his wedding to burlesque model Dita Von Teese and decorating work at his Chatsworth, California home. Manson then countersued in December (07), accusing Gacy - real name Stephen Bier - of failing to properly carry out touring, recording and merchandising duties. Manson's team appealed to Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael L. Stern to grant a confidentiality order to protect his financial records, arguing the privacy motion was needed because Gacy's allegations directly relate to the star's monetary value. At a court hearing on Friday (21Mar08), Stern granted the order despite protests from Gacy's camp. And keyboardist Gacy is still fuming over the financial protection, which only allows his attorneys access to Manson's personal accounts. His lawyer Keith A. Fink says, "He's trying to hide his skeletons from you all." A hearing is scheduled for 10 April (08), where Gacy's people are expected to push forward with a petition to depose Manson.