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Lady Gaga sued over fundraising for Japan

The megastar's spokeswoman says lawsuit over charity wristbands is meritless

Topics: Lady Gaga, Japan, Japan Earthquake,

Lady Gaga sued over fundraising for JapanLady Gaga poses for photographers with a coffee cup with a message in Japanese "Pray for Japan" during a press conference to promote of MTV Video Music Aid Japan in Tokyo, Thursday, June 23, 2011. Lady Gaga said that she will sell the coffee cup at auction and donate the money for the tsunami-hit northeastern Japan. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)(Credit: AP)

Lady Gaga’s spokeswoman says a lawsuit accusing the music star of misleading fans with an online pitch for donations to victims of the Japan earthquake is meritless.

Lady Gaga’s website is selling $5 wristbands that say, “We Pray For Japan.” The website also allows people to make additional donations and says “all proceeds go directly to Japan relief efforts.”

A lawsuit filed in Detroit notes that sales tax and a $3.99 shipping charge are added. Detroit-area attorney Alyson Oliver believes not all money is going to help the Japanese and she wants an accounting.

Lady Gaga’s spokeswoman, Holly Shakoor, said Tuesday that no profit is being made on shipping costs. She says $5 from each wristband is going to Japan.

The lawsuit seeks refunds for people who bought wristbands.

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Gripping photos: The people of the Turkey protests (slideshow)

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  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

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  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

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