Celebrity Lawsuit Roundup: March 5, 2013

Celebrities lead opulent lives in the glow of the limelight. However, even America’s most beloved celebrities occasionally find themselves mired in top-dollar lawsuits and everyday legal struggles. Here’s the roundup of last week’s top celebrity lawsuit news.

Recently filed lawsuits

NBA legend Michael Jordan has been hit with a paternity suit in Georgia, where Pamela Y. Smith is requesting that Jordan take a paternity test. She wants him to pay child support for Taj, the teen she says is his, as well as a share of Taj’s medical expenses.

R&B star Akon is being sued by a concert worker who claims that he has been physically disabled since Akon leapt on him during a concert. The man is suing to recover for lost wages and medical costs.

Actor James Franco has asked a judge to toss out a defamation lawsuit filed against him by a disgruntled NYU professor. According to Franco’s lawyers, the actor was never properly served with the suit and is entitled to his opinion about the professor.

Kevin Clash, the former voice of Elmo, has asked the courts to dismiss three lawsuits filed against him by men who claim that he had sex with them while they were minors. Clash’s lawyer noted that the statute of limitations for filing suits has passed. Debate about that statute of limitations will remain until the court makes a decision in the case.

Financially troubled actor Val Kilmer is being sued by Executive Consulting, a company that claims Kilmer owes them $128,000 for services provided. The group alleges that Kilmer hired them to help him with his fiscal problems. Kilmer’s legal team denies that the actor ever hired the firm.

Real Housewives of New Jersey star Jacqueline Laurita has been ordered to pay New Jersey nearly $340,000 in back taxes. If Laurita fails to pay in a timely fashion, the state may attempt to seize her assets.

Former NFL star Terrell Owens has been hit with a big tax lien. The IRS filed documents showing that Owens owes nearly $439,000 in unpaid taxes from 2005, 2007 and 2009.

Reggaeton star Don Omar is being sued for using a yacht in his “Danza Kuduro” music video without the owner’s permission. The yacht’s owner is suing for unspecified damages in connection with trespassing and defamation.

Rock band Styx is suing a record label that allegedly conspired to stiff the band members of royalty payments for years. The band is suing A&M Records for unspecified damages.

Recently settled lawsuits

Real Housewives of Atlanta star Sheree Whitfield has secured three restraining orders against bloggers who she claims are a threat to her safety. One of the bloggers allegedly entered Whitfield’s home without her permission.

Troubled actress Lindsay Lohan encountered yet more trouble this week when a California judge declared her lawyer incompetent. It is unclear who will represent Lohan in her upcoming trial.

Singer Rihanna has secured a restraining order to protect herself from a man police say tried to break into her house. Rihanna’s lawyer noted that the man, Steveland Barrow, has been released from police custody and has not been located.