Singer Cohen sues former manager

Leonard Cohen fired Kelley Lynch in October 2004

Singer Leonard Cohen has accused his former business manager of taking $5m (£2.7m) from his savings accounts while he spent time in a Buddhist monastery.

Mr Cohen, 70, alleges that Kelley Lynch took millions from his accounts while he was at the Mount Baldy Zen Centre, in California, between 1994 and 1999.

Ms Lynch, who was sacked in late 2004, had been his manager for 17 years.

The legal action also names tax lawyer Richard Westin, whom Ms Lynch allegedly hired to help her defraud Mr Cohen.

"This civil action is another case of a tragedy that has become all too familiar in the music industry," said Mr Cohen's attorney, Scott Edelman.

'Silent one'

The complaint filed on Monday accuses Ms Lynch of "greed, self-dealing, concealment, knowing misrepresentation and reckless disregard for professional fiduciary duties".

Mr Cohen claims Ms Lynch siphoned off amounts far in excess of the 15% to which she was entitled.

Ms Lynch and Mr Westin could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.

Mr Cohen was ordained as a Zen monk during his time at the monastery and given the name of Jikan, or "silent one".

He returned to recording at the end of the 1990s, releasing a new album, Dear Heather, to mark his 70th birthday last year.