LOS ANGELES – "Desperate Housewives" co-star Eva Longoria is being sued for at least $4 million over her financially troubled Las Vegas nightclub.

A former partner in the Beso club, Mali Nachum, claims Longoria violated California usury laws.

The suit was filed Monday in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Longoria lent Nachum $1 million for the venture in 2009 and was promised repayment at 8 percent annual interest and a large stake in the club.

But according to the suit, Nachum discovered in December that the terms violated California usury laws.

He estimates damages of at least $4 million and is seeking three times that figure.

A statement from Longoria's publicist calls the suit meritless and blames her former partners for forcing the nightclub into bankruptcy protection last week.