LATEST: Controversial director Michael Moore has accused the U.S. government of harassment, following an investigation into a visit he made to Cuba to shoot scenes for his new movie SICKO.

Moore brought men and women who had assisted in the clean-up of lower Manhattan following the September 11th (01) terrorist attacks to the Communist nation to receive medical treatment for the ailments they have developed over the past five years for which they have not received adequate medical care in America.

Cuba is under a trade embargo from the U.S. and a majority of Americans are not allowed to visit the island.

Last month (May07), the U.S. Treasury Department's Office Of Foreign Assets Control started an investigation into Moore's Cuba trip, which appears in Sicko, exposing the flaws of the U.S. healthcare system.

Moore's lawyer David Boies yesterday (11Jun07) released a letter which he has sent to the Office Of Foreign Assets Control.

It said: "I am concerned that Mr. Moore has been selected for discriminatory treatment by your office.

"This is an attempt by the government to discriminate against a journalist based on the content of Michael Moore's journalistic work."

Moore's last film, 2004's award-winning Fahrenheit 9/11, slammed U.S. President George W. Bush's administration.

Sicko is due for release in America later this month (Jun07).