ATLANTA — The judge in Atlanta R&B singer Usher's custody battle believes she's being harassed over fundraising dollars.
Judge Bensonetta Tipton Lane's child custody ruling in favor of Usher has sparked an ongoing dispute between the judge and Lisa West, the lawyer representing Usher's ex. George Lawson, who represents Lane, said West has abused the legal process to harass the judge. West denies that.
"It's not about me losing. It's about two children," she told Channel 2's Mark Winne.
She tried unsuccessfully to get the judge to remove herself from the case after learning a lawyer for Usher raised nearly 83 percent of her campaign funds in a key period.
Lawson said Usher's lawyer John Mayoue and his firm, hosted a fundraiser where many gave money, which is common in judge races.
"The judge did nothing improper. She did nothing wrong," Lawson said.
Lawson said West crossed a line when she filed a motion in the estate of the judge's sister, who died last year. West said she was seeking computer data and files about the campaign.
"I was looking for the same thing that I was asking Judge Lane's committee to produce," West said.
But in documents, the judge said her sister didn't use her computer in the judge's campaigns and accuses West of inventing a hurtful story. West said she was acting on information about the computer from one of the sister's sons.
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