Lawyers acting on behalf of troubled star James Brown have slammed a sexual harassment case filed against him by an ex-employee, comparing it to “what kidnappers do”.
As previously reported on nme.com, Brown is being sued for sexual harassment by former employee Lisa Agbalaya. In her suit, the former West Coast Head of Operations for New James Brown Enterprises Inc claims Brown smoked marijuana in the office, boasted to his employees of his “bull testicles”, and on one occasion presented her with a pair of zebra print underwear and demanded that she wear them while she massaged him with oil.
Now, according a report on US website [url=]www.rollingstone.com, Brown‘s attorney Buddy Dallas has spoken out, saying: “When you get a letter from someone that says ‘Either pay me a lot of money or we’re going to file a suit against you’, it’s akin to what kidnappers do. This is a disgruntled employee from the West Coast office. And against his advisors’ advice Mr Brown kept that office open three years longer than he should just so those people would have a job.”
Speaking about the allegation that Brown wanted Agbalaya to massage him with oil in her underwear, Dallas added: “He’s very hurt by this… it is factually incorrect, and Mr Brown will be able to prove it. He’s old-school in so many ways, but women he respects.”
This is the second major incident in recent weeks involving Brown and his staff. Last Friday (May 19), Richard Glenn, one of Brown‘s employees, was charged with arson following a blaze which swept through James Brown Enterprises, the office that co-ordinates the star’s tours and concerts. Glenn is alleged by police to have stolen a cheque from JBE, before opening a bank account and making a cheque out to himself for US$75,000.
James Brown makes a live appearance at the London Brixton Academy on July 9, and is also confirmed to play the Essential Festival at Stanmer Park, Brighton on July 16.
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For tickets to the Essential festival,, go to the nme.com Ticketshop – click here
Or call the NME 24-Hour Ticketline on 0870 1 663 663. Calls are charged at national standard rate.