Jackson too has gotten this far because his wealth shielded him: no one in his inner circle had the power to challenge his increasingly bizarre behavior, not and make him listen, and he could "clean up" previous awkward situations with a settlement and then rationalize them away in his mind.

Exactly! And of course IF nothing happened, why not? The perception was he had the money and as you say, his wealth (or perception) would make it the easiest way.

One former associate dates his decline to the period when he stopped actively practicing his religion and started becoming obsessed with his appearance.

Considering what I have read about his parents and his religion he certainly has reasons to be a little warped. And once he broke away he became very much like HH.

Now he stands as an object of ridicule and scorn except among his most devoted fans, and I suspect he know it.