Soul legend Aretha Franklin Tuesday (Feb. 16) disputed an

article in the Detroit Free Press that claimed she has

consistently refused to pay bills -- including those sent by florists,

accountants, songwriters and tax collectors. "No one is owed anything

today," Franklin said in a statement issued by her publicist. The

report in Monday's Free Press said Franklin has been sued 30

times since 1988 for nonpayment of bills despite having earned

millions of dollars over the years from her music.