March 19, 2010 4:38

Lady Gaga being sued for $35m by former producer and boyfriend

Rob Fusari says he's owed a share of her earnings

Photo Gallery: Lady Gaga
Photo: PA Photos

Lady Gaga is being sued for a reported $35million by her former producer and boyfriend.

According to the Associated Press, Rob Fusari has filed the lawsuit against the pop star, saying his protégé and former girlfriend ditched him as her career soared.

Fusari began working with the songstress in 2006 – then known by her real name Stefani Germanotta – and claims she owes him money after he co-wrote some of her songs, came up with her stage name and helped her get a record deal.

According to the lawsuit, Fusari says he spent several months working with Germanotta, "radically reshaping her approach," and persuading her to drop rock riffs for dance beats.

Co-writing songs such as 'Paparazzi' and 'Beautiful, Dirty, Rich', which appear on her debut album 'The Fame', Fusari's share is said to be 20 per cent, which he claims he hasn't received.

Neither Lady Gaga or her spokespeople have commented on the lawsuit or claims.