The Jackson-Related Lawsuit Parade Has Begun

Thu., Jul. 16, 2009 5:45 PM PDT by Natalie Finn

Pedro Andrade/PacificCoastNews.com

It was only a matter of time before someone got sued, right? We're just surprised it took three weeks.

Michael Jackson's ex-wife, Debbie Rowe, has filed a defamation lawsuit against her one-time friend Rebecca White for comments her old pal made to Extra about Rowe's so-called plan to go after custody of the two children she had with Jackson.

White also shared emails that she claimed were from Rowe, including one that read, "I'm not going after custody. These kids are not mine. They were never mine. They were always Michael's. I was Michael's best friend" and another that said, "Do I want the kids? Hell no. Does it look good for me to ask for them? Absolutely."

Rowe's legal team sent White a "retract, now!" letter on Tuesday and made good on its threat to sue today, filing the complaint in Los Angeles Superior Court.

View a copy of the lawsuit

"The statements attributed by Ms. White to Ms. Rowe in said emails were fabricated by Ms. White and are false," the suit states.

RadarOnline.com was first to unearth the lawsuit, which in addition to defamation alleges invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

"Ms. White made the false communications with actual malice in that she was fully aware of their falsity," the complaint further states, adding that Rowe and White exchanged some emails, but none having to do with Jackson, his family or their children.

Also this week, Team Rowe denied reports that Jackson's baby mama would be happy with a $4 million payoff in exchange for her abandoning the custody question for good.

"There has been no agreement reached between Ms. Rowe and the Jacksons," attorney Eric George wrote in an open letter to the New York Post, adding that no custody or visitation determinations have been made and that Rowe "has not and will not give up her parental rights."

"Ms. Rowe has not accepted—and will not accept—any additional financial consideration beyond the spousal support she and Michael Jackson personally agreed to several years ago," he wrote.

A hearing on guardianship issues has been postponed until Monday at the behest of George and attorneys for Katherine Jackson, who is listed in her son's will as his guardian of choice for children Prince Michael, Paris and Blanket.

________

Debbie Rowe opted not to attend the Michael Jackson memorial, but her kids—and so many others—showed up to mourn the King of Pop.