Jim Carrey has been accused of illegally obtaining prescription drugs that his ex-girlfriend Cathriona White used to kill herself.
The 30-year-old Irish actress died last year at her home in Los Angeles from an overdose of prescription medication.
Her estranged husband, Mark Burton, has now filed a wrongful death lawsuit against ‘The Truman Show’ actor, accusing him of using his “immense wealth and celebrity status” to illegally obtain prescription drugs.
According to court documents filed at LA’s Superior Court, the actor obtained the drugs under the fake name of “Arthur King” and, following her suicide, he then “took steps to conceal and obfuscate his involvement and culpability”.
Mr Burton also claimed the actor sent a “bogus message” to his girlfriend on the day before her body was found “in an effort to cover up his conduct and complicity in her death”.
In a statement, Carrey said the filing of the “heartless” lawsuit was a “terrible shame”.
He said: “It would be easy for me to get in a back room with this man’s lawyer and make this go away, but there are some moments in life when you have to stand up and defend your honour against the evil in this world.
“I will not tolerate this heartless attempt to exploit me or the woman I loved.
“Cat’s troubles were born long before I met her and sadly her tragic end was beyond anyone’s control.
“I really hope that some day soon people will stop trying to profit from this and let her rest in peace.”
Mr Burton is seeking unspecified damages as well as reimbursement for funeral expenses and legal fees.
