Jackson's ex-wife in legal action

Michael JacksonMichael Jackson's ex-wife Debbie Rowe has sued a woman over reports claiming she was willing to give up parental rights to her children for money.

Ms Rowe has accused Rebecca White of defamation, invasion of privacy and infliction of emotional distress in the legal action filed in Los Angeles.

It is claimed Ms White passed Ms Rowe's e-mails to the media about not wanting the two children she had with Jackson.

Legal papers also allege that Ms White fabricated the e-mails.

'Close friend'

According to court documents, the women never exchanged e-mails concerning Jackson, his family or their children.

Ms Rowe said she has not e-mailed Ms White since Jackson died last month.

Ms White, who could not immediately be reached for comment, claimed to be a "close friend" of Ms Rowe.

It is not clear how much Ms Rowe is seeking in damages.

She was expected to attend a custody hearing concerning Jackson's three children on Monday.

She is the mother of Prince Michael, 12, and daughter Paris, 11. Seven-year-old Prince Michael II, known as Blanket, was born to an unknown surrogate.

Ms Rowe was not mentioned in Jackson's will, which named his mother, Katherine Jackson, as their guardian.

Earlier this week the New York Post newspaper reported that Ms Rowe had been paid $4m (£2.4m) to waive parental rights to her children.

In a letter to the newspaper, her lawyer Eric George called the claims "blatant falsehoods".