Singer Whitney Houston countersuing stepmother, seeks $1.6 million

FORT LEE, N.J. (AP) — Whitney Houston is countersuing her stepmother for $1.6 million.

The Grammy-winning singer claims Barbara Houston owes her the money for failing to make mortgage, tax, and condo association payments for the Fort Lee condominium where she has lived since 1987.

Her stepmother initiated the legal tussle last year when she claimed the 45-year-old singer, who issued the condo mortgage loan, improperly kept proceeds from John Houston’s $1 million insurance policy after his 2003 death.

Whitney Houston’s attorney says the 47-year-old stepmother is not a poor, elderly widow and that Whitney Houston should not have to subsidize her living expenses. But Barbara Houston’s lawyer says there was a verbal understanding that the condo belonged to his client.