(Reuters) - Apparel retailer American Apparel Inc said former Chief Executive Dov Charney sued the company and its chairman Colleen Brown, alleging defamation and mental and emotional distress.
American Apparel said on Wednesday it would "vigorously dispute" the claims.
The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday in California Superior Court, seeks a minimum of $20 million in damages.
The lawsuit is one of several from Charney, who was suspended as CEO last June and dismissed six months later.
Charney also filed a $30 million defamation lawsuit last week against Standard General LP, one of American Apparel's biggest investors.
(Reporting by Ramkumar Iyer in Bengaluru; Editing by Kirti Pandey)
Dov Charney is the founder of American Apparel, Inc. which was founded in 1997.
He held the title of Chairman & Chief Executive Officer from 2010 to 2014.
Mr. Charney also founded American Heavy, Inc. in 1989 and held the title of Chief Executive Officer until 1996.
He was the President & Chief Executive Officer of American Apparel, Inc. from 1989 to 2009.
