R&B artist Akon is facing two lawsuits

R&B artist Akon is facing two lawsuits -- against a contractor who worked on upgrades at Akon's Georgia mansion, and against his own lawyers, the gossip website TMZ reports.

The lawyers, with a firm called Yoss, are suing Akon for allegedly refusing to pay more than $39,000 in legal bills. The firm filed its Akon lawsuit in Georgia, alleging breach of contract -- though TMZ says it's not clear what the legal work was for.

The lawyers' Akon lawsuit is the second breach-of-contract suit to be filed against Akon this year, according to TMZ.

An electrical-contracting firm called Southern Electric also filed an Akon lawsuit, claiming the rapper breached a contract for work at his $1.65 million mansion, TMZ reported last month.

Southern Electric asserts it completed more than $344,000 in upgrades to Akon's home, including electrical, framing, and molding work, TMZ reported. Akon, however, allegedly still owes nearly $52,000 on the bill.

Akon's mother acted as her son's agent in the deal, according to TMZ -- which may raise some legal questions about her potential liability as Akon's agent.

In general, an agent (in this case, Akon's mom) is not personally liable to a third party for a contract (Southern Electric), if the agent acted within her authority as agent for the principal (Akon).

But if Akon's mom exceeded her authority -- for example, by asking for additional or different upgrades that Akon didn't agree to -- she may be held liable for the bill.

It's not clear what Akon thinks about the contractor's lawsuit, but the R&B star insists the Yoss lawyers' Akon lawsuit is bogus. Akon is asking a judge to dismiss the case filed by his lawyers, TMZ reports.