Michael Jackson - Jackson's Ex Accused Of Making False Claims Against Snapper

MICHAEL JACKSON's ex-wife is facing a court showdown with a photographer she accused of hitting her just weeks after her late former husband's death.

Debbie Rowe claimed snapper Ed Frommer lashed out at her as she tried to escape a crowd of paparazzi after dining out in Lancaster, California - and now he insists his reputation has taken a serious bashing thanks to her accusations.

Video footage caught the tense showdown between the photographers and Rowe, who snapped, "Are you ready to have your butt kicked?" - and Frommer insists the tape will validate him and prove that Rowe was wrong to accuse him of hitting her.

He tells TMZ.com, "You can see from the video, I didn't touch her... Anything that happened was not intentional."

Frommer is suing Rowe in small claims court, claiming she told police he scratched her face, pulled her arm and struck her in the back.

He insists he has lost work because of the accusations and is demanding $7,500 (£4,700) in damages.

A hearing has been scheduled for January (10).