Mother of Jackson Kids Says Site Defamed

LOS ANGELES (CN) - Michael Jackson's ex-wife, the mother of two of his children, says a woman she barely knows defamed her on national television by claiming to be her close friend, and to have received emails from her stating, "Do I want the kids? Hell no." Debbie Rowe sued Rebecca White in Superior Court.

Shortly after the pop star's death, Rowe says, White appeared on the celebrity gossip show "Extra" claiming to be her close friend, and to have exchanged emails with her about the custody of Jackson and Rowe's two children.

Rowe claims White told "Extra" in early July that Rowe had sent her emails stating, "I'm not going after custody ... These kids are not mine. They were never mine. They were always Michael's."

She claims White also told "Extra" that Rowe had said, "My lawyer is telling me I have to take some responsibility about the welfare of the children ... Do I want the kids? Hell no."

Rowe denies making the statements. She claims White made them up, and has a history of slandering celebrities.

Rowe says White claims to have worked for supermodel Naomi Campbell in 2001 and made public statements about the model's alleged drug use. She says White also claimed to be part of late actor Heath Ledger's "inner circle," and made public comments about his alleged drug abuse and his relationship with actress Michelle Williams, with whom he has a daughter.

White was paid to appear on Extra, and has been paid in the past for interviews and statements regarding celebrities' personal lives, Rowe says in her Superior Court complaint.

She seeks damages for defamation, invasion of privacy and emotional distress, and disgorgement of White's ill gotten gains.

Rowe is represented by Ira Bibbero with Browne Woods & George.

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