CSI's Caruso sued by girlfriend

David Caruso plays Horatio Caine in CSI: Miami

David Caruso's ex-girlfriend is suing the CSI: Miami star for more than $1.2m and a house she says he promised her.

Lisa Marquez is claiming Caruso vowed to support her even after the end of their near four-year relationship.

Ms Marquez says Caruso was a possessive boyfriend and reluctant father who ended their relationship two days after the birth of their second child.

A statement from Caruso's lawyer said the case made "false claims" in retaliation over child custody changes.

Ms Marquez says she and the actor started a relationship in April 2004 when she was working as a travel agent.

The couple moved in together later that year and Ms Marquez claims she left her job at Caruso's request.

She says the actor said he would "always be there" to support her financially and otherwise.

Emotional distress

The actor was affectionate in public, but was then verbally abusive to her on several occasions and withdrew to a second home as the relationship deteriorated, she adds.

Ms Marquez says the actor then broke an agreement that he would pay her $1m (£682,000) and $200,000 (£136,000) in legal fees and give her a home in the San Fernando Valley.

She now wants the deeds to the house, $1.2m (£819,000) and punitive damages for fraud and intentional affliction of emotional distress.

The statement from Caruso's attorney said the actor found the legal action "unfortunate since these claims will divert the parties and the court's attention away from the best interests of the children".

The lawyer said Caruso would have no further comment.

Caruso plays Horatio Caine in CSI: Miami, which is shown on CBS in the US and Five in the UK.

In the US, the show is consistently one of TV's most-watched shows. It started in 2002.