The 22-year-old star of Almost Famous has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court.

It claims the ex-assistant, named as Margaret Miller, spent the money on luxuries including limousines, hotel rooms and plane tickets, often while Hudson was away.

Miller herself could not be reached to comment on the case yesterday.

Margaret Miller worked for Kate Hudson from July 1999 to March of this year.

The lawsuit says: "During her period of employment Miller utilized her position of control and access to plaintiff's charge and bank accounts to misappropriate, convert and divert in excess of $63,000 (�43,554) to Miller's personal use ... without plaintiff's knowledge, authorization or consent."

Oscar winner

Hudson, who is nominated for an Oscar for her portrayal of devoted groupie, seeks restitution and damages from her former personal assistant.

Hudson is the daughter of Oscar-winner Goldie Hawn and musician Bill Hudson.

Her entry onto the Hollywood A-list would seem to have been guaranteed.

In Almost Famous, Cameron Crowe's semi-autobiographical movie about a fictional 1970s rock band on the road, she plays rock groupie Penny Lane.