Shakira taking legal action against former employees

Los Angeles: Colombian superstar Shakira is suing two former employees over allegations of extortion and defamation.

The 35-year-old `Hips Don`t Lie` hitmaker claims the ex-workers threatened to release details about her private life if she didn`t hand over USD 500,000, reported OK magazine online. The staffers, who had worked for the singer for 11 years, were recently fired for undisclosed reasons. Shakira`s lawyer, Exequiel A Camerini, said, "There is clear evidence of intentions to defame and cause harm to my client by taking advantage of her public persona and spotless personal reputation in exchange for money." It is not known exactly what the former employees planned to leak about Shakira. PTI