Usher's ex appeals custody ruling

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ATLANTA, Sept. 1 (UPI) -- Tameka Raymond has requested a new trial in the custody battle for the two sons she shares with singer Usher, saying the Atlanta judge was biased, TMZ reported.

Raymond said the judge has strong ties to Usher's lawyer because the attorney contributed nearly half the funds in the judge's re-election campaign in 2008 and served on his campaign committee, TMZ reported.

Raymond added there was no evidence presented to indicate she couldn't take care of the children, Raymond V, 4, and Naviyd, 3.

Throughout the bitter custody dispute, Raymond had maintained Usher was an absent father, spending too much time absorbed in his own career. She said he abused prescription drugs in front of the two boys.

Usher had said Raymond was inattentive and irresponsible.

The couple split in 2008 and their divorce was finalized in 2009.

The custody ruling was another blow for Raymond, whose son from a previous marriage died in July after a water-sport accident.