Belafonte 's dispute with the estate began in 2002 when he tried to sell the documents . Lawsuit : Documents in question were given to him by King , his aides and widow . Belafonte , as a successful African-American musician and actor , is said to have provided for the very children he is now suing so King could pursue his activism . He wants a judge to order the papers released to him . The King estate has been aggressive in gaining control of MLK papers from him .
Belafonte 's dispute with the estate began in 2002 when he tried to sell the documents . Lawsuit : Documents in question were given to him by King , his aides and widow . He wants a judge to order the papers released to him . The King estate has been aggressive in gaining control of MLK papers from him .