LOS ANGELES: Superstar singer Stevie Wonder has taken legal action to evict his former fiancée, who has lived rent-free in his Los Angeles home since 1988.
The Part Time Lover hitmaker is demanding that Carmen Efferson move out of the three-bedroom property he owns in the Hollywood Hills.
According to court documents, Efferson has lived in the house free of charge for the past 38 years under an informal verbal agreement.
Speaking to Billboard on Friday (23 Oct), she revealed that she was engaged to Wonder when she first moved into the home, although the pair never actually married.
The dispute flared up in July when representatives for the music legend attempted to inspect the property three times to renew its insurance.
Efferson refused to let them inside and told Wonder's legal team to leave her alone.
In an email sent to solicitor David Huff, she wrote: "I am feeling harassed. Regarding your orders to enter the place where I am living, I do not consent. Do not make any attempt to make any kind of contact with me."
Wonder's legal team issued several notices warning her that they would seek an eviction order if she failed to cooperate.
After her continued refusal caused the property's insurance policy to lapse, the legal papers were officially filed last Thursday.
The 76-year-old singer is now asking a judge to order her removal from the house and to award US$600 (around RM2,451) in damages to cover the disruption.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd