Elizabeth Taylor - Taylor Nearing Settlement In Harassment Suit

Screen veteran ELIZABETH TAYLOR is close to settling a legal battle with her ex-groundskeeper - who claims he was dismissed for refusing to have sex with her male butler.

American TV show CELEBRITY JUSTICE reports that the CLEOPATRA star visited a Los Angeles courtroom and told the judge things might soon be settled between her and her former employee.

In a lawsuit filed in July (03), WILLIEM VAN MUYDEN alleged he'd been fired in 2002 after turning down a sexual advance from butler JEAN-LUC LACQUEMENT.

Van Muyden's lawyer says the butler had a lot of influence over Taylor because the two at one point had had a sexual relationship.

The attorney also claims Lacquement made unflattering remarks about his famous boss: "He made a comment to Van Muyden that he'd been with 'the old trampoline', referring to Ms Taylor."

Although the allegations have been hurtful to Taylor, her lawyer insists they're ready to settle up, and the judge wished them well.