WASHINGTON (AP) _ AMERICAN EXPRESS IS SUING A MARYLAND MAN DETAINED FOR MONTHS IN ARUBA IN THE SUSPECTED DEATH OF HIS TRAVELING COMPANION LAST YEAR.

THE FEDERAL LAWSUIT SEEKS TO VOID A TRAVEL INSURANCE POLICY THAT GARY GIORDANO, OF GAITHERSBURG, TOOK OUT IN ROBYN GARDNER'S NAME BEFORE THEIR TRIP. THE SUIT SAYS THE POLICY IS VOID BECAUSE GIORDANO AND GARDNER AREN'T MARRIED, AREN'T RELATED AND WEREN'T BUSINESS PARTNERS.

GARDINER IS FROM FREDERICK.

GIORDANO WAS TAKEN INTO CUSTODY AFTER GARDNER WENT MISSING IN ARUBA LAST YEAR. HE HAS SAID SHE WAS SWEPT OUT TO SEA WHILE THE PAIR WAS SNORKELING. A JUDGE ORDERED HIM RELEASED IN NOVEMBER BECAUSE OF A LACK OF EVIDENCE.

GIORDANO HAS ALREADY SUED AN AMERICAN EXPRESS SUBSIDIARY TO COLLECT ON THE POLICY.

A LAWYER FOR GIORDANO DIDN'T IMMEDIATELY RETURN A CALL SEEKING COMMENT MONDAY.