Bill Maher is sued by ex-girlfriend

Political comic Bill Maher has been hit with a $9-million lawsuit from a former flight attendant who claims he broke promises to marry her, shook her at a party and offended her with “degrading” racial comments.

Nancy Johnson, who also worked as a model under the name “Coco Johnsen,” accused Maher, the host of HBO’s “Real Time With Bill Maher,” of fraud, battery and assault in her suit filed Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court.

She says Maher encouraged her to quit her job at Delta Airlines so the two could appear socially as a “power couple,” but once she obliged the host, he became verbally abusive and reneged on his promises of marriage and financial support, including an offer to buy a Beverly Hills home once occupied by Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck. The couple’s 17-month relationship broke up in May 2004 and Johnson moved out of Maher’s house, according to the suit.

Maher’s attorney, Adam Streisand, responded Thursday, “This is a completely frivolous lawsuit filled with false allegations that is part of a pattern by Ms. Johnson to seek retribution since the end of their short relationship. Mr. Maher is looking forward to having this dismissed by the court.”

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From staff and wire reports