Lady Gaga sued over Japan donations

  PHOTO: Reuters

LADY GAGA is set to have a bad romance in court.

AFP reported that Detroit-based 1-800-LAW-FIRM filed a complaint in a Michigan court on Friday against the star and her record label, Universal Music Group, and the Bravado International Group.

The firm accused Gaga and her team of lacking transparency in the amount of money raised from sales of the wristbands that the singer sold on her website for the victims.

They also questioned whether the funds were completely used for earthquake and tsunami victims.

The wristbands - sold at US$5 ($6.20) each - were designed to raise money for the Japanese earthquake relief effort.

"While we commend Lady Gaga for her philanthropic efforts, we want to ensure that claims that "all proceeds will be donated to Japan's earthquake relief efforts" are in fact true," said one of the plaintiff's lawyers, Alyson Oliver, in a press release.

According to court documents, the suit alleges that the accused "added additional 'shipping charges' in excess of the amount required to ship the wristbands based on their weight, and retained a portion of the shipping charges."

But Lady Gaga's spokesperson said: "This misguided lawsuit is without merit and unfortunately takes attention away from the kind deeds of the fans around the world who are supporting the people of Japan.

"The entire $5 donation made with the purchase of each bracelet is going to support the disaster relief. No profit is being made on shipping costs. Sales tax charges were made in accordance with local legal requirements.

"Lady Gaga has personally pledged her own funds to this cause and continues to support the victims of the disaster."

The lawsuit seeks damages, "including a return of all amounts paid for the products," according to the press release.

(Sky News, AFP)