Jessica Simpson Sued for $100 Mil

A clothing company says she didn't promote her own jeans line

A clothing manufacturer has sued Jessica Simpson for $100 million, claiming she breached a contract by failing to wear or be photographed in the apparel lines she developed with the company.

In court papers filed last week in Manhattan’s state Supreme Court, Los Angeles-based Tarrant Apparel Group (TAG) says Jessica Simpson Brand Management LLC agreed in December 2004 to let it use Simpson’s name to sell women’s clothing for three years, with an option to renew for two more, the Associated Press reports.

The clothing brands are Jessica Simpson, Princy and JS by Jessica. A fourth brand, scheduled to be launched next January, is called Sweet Kisses. TAG says it has already paid Simpson $2.2 million and guaranteed another $1.6 million in sales royalties for 2004 and 2005, plus another $4.4 million for the rest of the contract.

Among the stipulations of the contract, the documents say, is that “Ms. Simpson shall be actively involved in promoting (TAG’s) products, whether requested or not” by the company, and that she must “publicly wear/display or use the products, particularly at events, shows and appearances.”

Simpson’s lawyer, Jed Ferdinand, tells the AP, “She denies it. It’s absolutely untrue. That’s what the evidence will show, and she will vigorously fight the lawsuit.”

Ferdinand and TAG’s lawyer, Jack Gordon, said the parties had tried to resolve the dispute but negotiations failed.