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Anita Baker was sued by the painting and decorating company for allegedly not paying for over $15,000 of carpentry, plastering and painting work done at her home in 2009. Reuters

A bench warrant has been issued for the arrest of legendary singer Anita Baker in a lawsuit claiming she failed to pay a painting and decorating company more than $15,000.

According to Detroit Free Press, the bench warrant was issued in connection with the singer's failure to show up for a creditor's examination in Wayne County Circuit Court last September. According to Dan Gerow, who is representing Ray A. Smith Painting & Decorating Inc., Baker had been subpoenaed to be at the hearing.

The iconic R&B singer is best known for a series of hit songs in the mid-1980s and early '90s, including "Giving You the Best That I Got" and "Sweet Love."

Gerow's client claims Baker stiffed the company on carpentry, plastering and painting work completed inside her Grosse Pointe, Mich., home in 2009. Gerow said a default judgment for $15,351.41 was entered against Baker in April 2011.

Wayne County Circuit Court's online records show the bench warrant was signed and filed March 19.

Michigan