Trump Sues Law Firm For $5 Million

THE APPRENTICE star DONALD TRUMP has launched a $5 million (GBP2.5 million) lawsuit against his former lawyers over claims they used his name without permission.

Trump has accused New York law firm Morrison Cohen and one of its partners, David Scharf, of violating his privacy by using his name on its website and in interviews.

In a lawsuit filed in New York State Court on Monday (11Aug08), Trump says the firm used his name and image without his consent "for advertising purposes".

But bosses at Morrison Cohen have dismissed the lawsuit as an attempt by the U.S. tycoon to avoid paying $600,000 (GBP300,000) in overdue legal fees.

Chairman David Scherl says, "We are pursuing our collections claim, we are adamant that we get paid for the services rendered, and we view this claim by the Trump organisation as completely frivolous."

Scharf represented Trump for five years until 2006.

Earlier this year (08), Trump accused Morrison Cohen of malpractice and said the firm had treated him like a "cash cow" during his 2006 lawsuit against a golf contractor.