Loss...

[From New York Daily News]

A loss for Whitney

Whitney Houston was grieving last night for her father, John, who died in New York on Sunday. But her loss still may not stop her dad's business partner from pressing ahead with a lawsuit against her.

John Houston, 82, an R&B pioneer, died at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital after a long battle with diabetes and heart disease, according to family spokeswoman Nancy Seltzer.

Seltzer said Whitney "got a call late Saturday evening that he would not live that much longer." The rep said Whitney had seen John recently but wasn't able to say goodbye.

But Kevin Skinner, a business associate of John Houston, claimed: "I think he died with a broken heart because he expected more of his children,"

Last year, John Houston Entertainment sued his daughter for $100 million, claiming that she owed him management fees.

Skinner, who is also involved in the lawsuit, told Celebrity Justice, "He loved [Whitney] with all his heart, and she disappointed him."

Skinner said he planned to continue the lawsuit, with the money going to Houston's estate. If the three Houston children are beneficiaries, Whitney and her brothers, Gary and Michael, could conceivably inherit the money for which she is being sued.

Whitney's rep said the family is planning a funeral for later this week.

NEWSFILE: 4 FEBRUARY 2003