April 15, 2009

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- A former publicist for James Brown is suing the singer's estate for control of a charitable trust that contains much of the singer's wealth.

Jacque Hollander's lawsuit filed this month in federal court in Chicago is the latest salvo in a protracted battle over how to parcel out the singer's wealth. She claims she should control the trust because she helped set it up and is its only surviving partner.

A disputed will filed by the singer called for his adult children to receive many personal belongings. But it left the trust most primary assets, including music rights and a South Carolina home.

His children say the will's not legitimate, and a settlement on how to divide the estate is pending.

Messages for Brown's family and estate trustees weren't immediately returned.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)