SONNY AND CHER RIPPED OFF

LOS ANGELES – Cher has sued Universal Music Group, claiming the company owes her and Sonny Bono's heirs more than $5 million.

The lawsuit filed Tuesday in Santa Monica claims Cher and Bono's widow and children are owed royalties on songs that were included in recent greatest-hits compilations. The suit also states UMG has failed to provide key records that would show how much is actually owed.

UMG spokesman Peter LoFrumento (Lo-FROO'-men-toe) says the lawsuit is "without merit" and the company expects to win in court.

Bono and Cher were married for nearly 10 years before divorcing; their daughter Chastity stands to receive some of the royalties if the suit prevails. Bono later became a U.S. congressman and died in a skiing accident in 1998.