Ex-spy, submarines, part of lawsuit

STUART, Fla. (AP) - A former French intelligence officer who says he escaped from Dubai is now in a Florida federal court battle over a failed venture to build submarines.

Herve Jaubert (er-'VAY zhoh-'BEHR) claims he escaped Dubai by sea in March 2008 by dressing as a Muslim woman in a full-length abaya and meeting an awaiting sailboat.

Government-run conglomerate Dubai World contends Jaubert is a con man who fled from $1 million in debts.

The two have sued each other over the failed submarine business. Jaubert says the company didn't give him enough money to hire the right workers and wouldn't let him make quick decisions.

Dubai World says Jaubert's submarines never worked and he lied about his ability to build them. Dubai World says the business lost $31 million.