Jackson's ex-wife seeks $500,000

Rowe is suing for defamation and invasion of privacy

Michael Jackson's ex-wife Debbie Rowe is suing a woman for nearly $500,000 (£316,000) over claims she wanted money rather than custody of her children.

Rebecca White told the US TV show Extra that Ms Rowe was not interested in access to her two children with Jackson - Prince Michael, 12, and Paris, 11.

Ms Rowe sued over the comments in July, but Ms White failed to respond.

Her lawyers are now seeking a default judgment. A court hearing to decide the outcome is scheduled for November.

In legal papers filed in Los Angeles, Ms Rowe's lawyers claim she should be awarded $490,000 (£300,000) in general and punitive damages.

The defamation and invasion-of-privacy action is seeking to recoup any money that Ms White may have been paid for her interview, Lawyers have estimated the fee to be $100,000 (£61,000).

They are also seeking $100,000 for emotional distress, $45,000 (£27,000) for medical and legal fees and $245,000 (£150,000) in punitive damages.

In the TV interview, Ms White claimed she had exchanged e-mails with Ms Rowe after Jackson's death on 25 June.

Described on the TV show as a "close friend", Ms White said Ms Rowe had emphatically stated she did not want custody of Jackson's children.

Ms Rowe denies both sending e-mails to White and that they are friends.

The 50-year-old has some visitation rights with her children under an agreement with Jackson's mother, Katherine.

No money is believed to have changed hands in the arrangement.