Beyonce's father denies stealing from her

Mathew Knowles says his relationship with his superstar daughter Beyonce is still 'amicable'" but he's alleging people close to her of trying to destroy his reputation with allegations of theft. -- PHOTO: AP

NEW YORK - MATTHEW Knowles insists he still has an amicable relationship with his daughter Beyonce - even though she dumped him as her manager two months ago - but is alleging that people close to her have tried to destroy his reputation with allegations that he stole from her.

Knowles filed papers in a Texas court this week alleging that members of Beyonce's camp, which he says includes her label, Columbia Records, Live Nation and her superstar husband Jay-Z's Roc Nation, have made negative comments about him.

'We absolutely have not taken any money from Beyonce, and all dollars will be accounted for,' he said on Thursday. 'In no way have we stole money. Again, this about the people who have made these claims - they have to come into the light.'

Knowles guided his daughter's career since she was a child, first to superstardom as part of the group Destiny's Child, and then as she continued with her blockbuster solo career. Beyonce has sold millions of records, won numerous Grammys, is a lucrative spokesman for different products, and has also had considerable success in film with movies like the Oscar-winning Dreamgirls.

When Beyonce announced in May that she would no longer use her father to guide her career, she stressed that at almost 30, she was ready to take control of her own affairs and pledged her adoration for him.

Critics applauded the move, comparing it to Janet Jackson's decision to fire her father as her manager in 1986. That decision led to the production of Jackson's aptly titled breakthrough album, Control, which sold over 10 million copies worldwide. -- CHINA DAILY/ANN