Jackson sued for $44m by former key staffer

Michael Jackson's former publicist yesterday filed a $44 million lawsuit against the self-styled "King of Pop" for failing to pay her for her work.

Raymone Bain, who represented Jackson during his 2005 trial and acquittal on child sex abuse charges and later managed his business company, filed a breach of contract civil lawsuit against the singer in Washington, DC.

She said she had decided "with deep regret" to sue Jackson, describing him as someone "whom I have greatly admired and respected". But she added; "Unfortunately, Mr Jackson has elected not to honor the financial obligations of our contractual relationship, despite my numerous attempts to amicably resolve this matter. I am sincerely disappointed in Mr Jackson' s failure to honor his obligations."

Bain, who trained as a lawyer, saw Jackson through some of the most difficult moments in his career. She became his public voice for much of his lengthy child molestation trial in California, Jackson's subsequent stays in Bahrain and Ireland and the financial difficulties that resulted in the sale of his Neverland Valley ranch in California last year.

Bain joins a long line of former advisers, accountants and friends who have sued Jackson in recent years over broken contracts and unpaid bills. Most of the lawsuits have been settled out of court.

After years of living as a virtual recluse, Jackson recently announced a run of 50 comeback concerts in London, starting in July. All have sold out.