LOS ANGELES – Singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen (search) is suing his former business manager, alleging she siphoned $5 million from his personal savings and investments while he spent time in a Buddhist monastery.
Cohen, best known for such introspective songs as "Bird On a Wire" and "Suzanne," filed the lawsuit Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court.
In it, he alleges Kelley Lynch (search), took millions from his accounts between 1994 and 1999, while Cohen was living at the Mount Baldy Zen Center (search) in Los Angeles.
A Los Angeles number for Kelley Lynch was disconnected and she could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
The amount Cohen says was taken was far greater than the 15 percent management compensation to which Lynch was entitled, according to the suit. Cohen, 70, had planned to live on his savings in retirement, according to the action, and had stopped touring and making new songs while at the monastery.
Cohen discovered Lynch's activities when an informant approached his daughter in October 2004, the suit says. He investigated and fired Lynch a short time later. She had worked for him for 17 years.
The suit also names Richard Westin, a tax professor and lawyer who allegedly was hired by Lynch to help her defraud Cohen.
Westin didn't immediately return a message left Wednesday.
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox