The majority stake of the pop star's retail brand The Jessica Simpson Collection, which sells products including clothes, accessories and fragrances, was sold in April (15) to Sequential Brands Group bosses.

An executive named Jeffrey Bowler has filed a lawsuit claiming he helped the deal happen and is owed the 10 per cent commission on the sale which he states Joe verbally promised him. Bowler alleges he is owed $12 million (£7.5 million), according to TMZ.com.

Joe and his accountant have also hit Bowler with legal papers, claiming he is trying to extort the Simpson family. They are convinced Bowler should not receive the $12 million commission because he had no part in negotiations with Sequential bosses and his earlier attempts to find a buyer failed, according to the New York Daily News.

A representative for Simpson has distanced the singer from the legal proceedings, telling TMZ.com she "has never met Mr. Bowler nor has she ever had any dealings with him whatsoever."

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