Nicolas Cage is being sued by his ex-wife for $13 million

[all 4 photos]

Christina Fulton - mother of Cage`s son Weston, 18 - has been caught
up in the furore around the star`s present financial difficulties, and
is demanding the massive payment as compensation for "mental, physical
and emotional abuse".

Fulton claims in her lawsuit, filed 08.12.09, that in 2001
Cage bought a Los Angeles home for her and their son and pledged he
would sign it over to her, which he failed to do.

She only discovered this when the actor served her a 60-day notice to
vacate the premises.

Christina further alleges that due to negligence by Cage she is now in
debt of more than $1 million to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as
well as $250,000 in credit card debt, which her ex-husband had
reportedly told her he would pay off.

Cage`s lawyer, Martin Singer, said of the claim: "This lawsuit is
ridiculous and absurd. Nicolas has given her approximately $3 million
every year for many years, even though he was only obligated to pay
her $6,000-a-month in child support. We expect this lawsuit to be
promptly thrown out."

Cage`s financial woes are considerable themselves, with him owing $6.3
million in back taxes, which has led to him having to sell off many of
his assets including properties and yachts.

The `National Treasure` actor claims the difficulties are the results
of a former accountant`s negligence, a claim which the accountant
refutes, blaming the situation on the actor`s "compulsive,
self-destructive spending".

Among the more extravagant of Cage`s purchases are a
67-million-year-old dinosaur skull which cost $276,000, as well as a
$495,000 Lamborghini, a jet, two yachts, three castles, two islands in
the Bahamas and a number of mansions.

sections: Celebrities