Chris Brown Sues Warner Bros. Over Violence Documentary

Chris Brown is taking legal action.

Approximately three months following the public unveiling of the documentary titled “Chris Brown: A History of Violence”, the artist filed a lawsuit on January 21st at the Superior Court of Los Angeles against Ample LLC, Warner Bros., and the film’s producers due to what they perceived as a defamatory portrayal in the documentary.

Although it was made clear that the story against Mr. Brown about serious offenses like sexual assault and evidence tampering was false and misleading, a statement by Brown on Instagram from January 21st revealed that these allegations, which had already been debunked in court as groundless, were still used in a documentary released by the defendants on October 27th, 2024. This action showed that they prioritized financial gains over journalistic ethics and integrity.

TopMob News has reached out to Warner Bros. and Ample but has not heard back.

In the movie, a person known as Jane Doe claimed that an R&B artist had drugged and raped her in 2020. However, after she filed a lawsuit against him seeking $20 million in 2022, the accusations were, according to the lawsuit obtained by TopMob, either discredited, thrown out by the courts, or found to be false.

Regarding the reported encounter between Doe and an anonymous partner, the lawsuit claims that their history of violent outbursts and unpredictable actions ought to have triggered warning signs for any conscientious journalist. Furthermore, it contends that the documentary disregarded a well-known pattern of dishonesty in this case.

The lawsuit also lays out the toll Brown says the documentary has taken on him.

The defamatory material in the Documentary has inflicted substantial damage on Mr. Brown’s professional standing, career, and business endeavors, as indicated in the lawsuit. This isn’t just about Mr. Brown personally; the Documentary also weakens responsible narrative-telling and undermines the credibility of genuine victims of Violence. Due to the Defendants’ actions, Mr. Brown has been compelled to initiate this lawsuit not only to safeguard his own reputation but also to shield the public from questionable journalistic methods used by the defendants.

The suit underscores the fact that the “With You” singer has never been proven guilty of any form of sexual misconduct.

Through the passage of time, this 35-year-old individual has been entangled in a series of legal issues. One notable incident occurred in 2009 when he was arrested for physically assaulting his then-girlfriend, Rihanna, before the Grammy Awards that year. In April of the same year, he admitted guilt to one charge of assault with the intention of causing severe bodily harm and was given a probation sentence lasting five years.

Afterward, he encountered accusations related to multiple other suspected crimes. For instance, there was a hit-and-run incident charge in 2013 and a felony assault charge from the same year. The hit-and-run allegation was dismissed in Superior Court, L.A., as confirmed by City Attorney spokesman Frank Mateljan at that time. His felony assault charge was subsequently reduced to a misdemeanor assault, and prior to his admission into rehab for anger management in 2013, as stated by his representative to TopMob.

Yet, regardless of past actions, Levi McCathern, Brown’s attorney, stated that the “Under the Influence” singer is diligently striving to develop and educate himself from his errors.

In a separate announcement, the lawyer stated that the core issue at hand is maintaining authenticity. Regrettably, even after receiving proof contradicting their assertions, the creators of this documentary deliberately spread misleading and damaging content, blatantly ignoring their professional duty as reporters to uphold truth and ethics.

Not only does their behavior threaten Mr. Brown’s ten-year project to reestablish his life, but it also calls into question the authenticity of those who genuinely suffered through violence.”

“Their actions not only jeopardize Mr. Brown’s decade-long attempts at rebuilding his life, but they also challenge the integrity of individuals who have truly endured violence.

Read on for more about Brown’s past legal troubles…

Back in August 2009, I found myself standing before a judge, sentenced to five years of probation for an unforgivable act against Rihanna. Two months prior, I had admitted my guilt for the felony assault charge. Alongside this sentence, I was instructed to complete 180 days of community service and enroll in a one-year anti-domestic violence program. Rihanna, understandably so, obtained a restraining order against me, which she requested to be adjusted in 2011 to a less restrictive level that allowed for occasional contact between us – provided I refrained from any further harassment.

Following my appearance on “Good Morning America” alongside Robin Roberts, I found myself grappling with intense emotions backstage. In a subsequent conversation, I expressed regret for my past actions, particularly those involving Rihanna. I admitted that I felt compelled to release some tension and was disheartened by the way I conducted myself during that time.

In a tweet, Brown shared a picture of a wound on his jaw, which appeared to be from a fight at the W.i.P. nightclub in New York City with the musician Drake and their respective groups.

It’s said that Frank Ocean had a violent confrontation with another singer at a recording studio in LA back in January 2013.

A lady from California filed a lawsuit against the musician known as “The Fine China Singer,” claiming he physically attacked her following his performance at Heat Ultra Lounge OC, Anaheim on June 22nd. She also alleged that she was subsequently kicked out of the nightclub.

In Los Angeles, the City Attorney’s office accused Brown of two crimes: hit-and-run and driving without a valid license. These charges were brought against him after an incident in which he allegedly collided with another vehicle and failed to provide his driver’s license number before departing the scene. Nevertheless, this case was eventually dropped.

After a review, Brown’s probation was re-activated and he was directed to complete 1,000 hours of community service. In 2009, Brown had initially been placed on probation following a domestic violence case where he admitted to assaulting his then-partner, singer Rihanna.

In a court in Washington D.C., the judge lessened the severe attack accusation against the singer, who was charged for supposedly hitting a person in the face during a brawl that took place on October 27, 2013. The judge then ordered Brown’s release from jail.

Breezy checks into rehab to “gain focus and insight into past and recent behavior.”

In accordance with the advice from the probation department, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James Brandlin instructed the singer to extend his stay at a rehabilitation center for an additional three months. This decision follows his expulsion from another facility. The expulsion occurred due to an incident where he allegedly threw a rock through his mother’s car window during her visit. After this incident, Brown admitted to experiencing a mental and emotional setback, as he felt he was not given credit for the initial community service hours he completed. He also struggled with attention deficit disorder and went through a phase of depression.

According to TopMob News’ acquisition of legal records, it appears that the renowned singer may be dealing with both bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, which could explain his aggressive actions.

Brown was taken into custody due to accusations that he breached his probation terms associated with his 2009 assault sentence.

In June 2014, Chris was freed prematurely from a Los Angeles County jail. This was following his arrest and detention since mid-March due to a violation of his probation, which was connected to the assault he committed against Rihanna in 2009.

In August 2014, the celebrity received applause from the judge as he adhered perfectly to the conditions set during his probation, following a positive evaluation from the Probation Department.

The singer admitted guilt for a misdemeanor charge related to an assault incident involving another man, which occurred back in October 2013 in Washington D.C. Brown was alleged to have struck the individual, causing a broken nose. Following his two-day imprisonment in connection with the case, he served the full sentence handed down. Additionally, he was instructed to pay $150 in court fees.

The R&B artist’s probation has once more been terminated, following a court decision after he journeyed to San Jose, California, without prior approval from his probation officer to depart from Los Angeles, and with approximately 200 hours of community service remaining to be completed within less than a week.

Six years after his 2009 assault case, the judge confirmed that the star had fulfilled all probation requirements, including completing 1,000.5 hours of community service and avoiding any violations. Overjoyed by this news, the star expressed his relief with a tweet saying, “I’M NO LONGER ON PROBATION!!!!!! Praise the Lord!!!!!”. This tweet has since been removed.

2015 saw the disclosure that he had a daughter called Royalty with Nia Guzman. In the same year, he was awarded joint custody over her.

In January 2016, I became a subject under investigation for an alleged incident involving misdemeanor battery and theft against a woman in Las Vegas. As reported by the police, this unfortunate situation unfolded during a party inside a hotel room. The woman, who attended the gathering, claimed that a disagreement ensued when she attempted to snap a photo of me with her phone. My representative clarified to TopMob News that these accusations against me were false and that this woman was removed from the private event due to her behavior, which became disruptive and out of control.

Previously employed manager of Brown, named Michael Guirguis, filed a lawsuit against the singer in June 2016, accusing him of assault, battery, false imprisonment, emotional distress, breach of contract and violation of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. This was due to allegations that Brown had violently attacked Guirguis earlier in May before starting his European tour. Brown, however, claimed he dismissed Guirguis due to accusations of embezzlement, a claim disputed by Guirguis’ legal representative.

In August 2016, the well-known singer, who is known for his loyalty, reportedly brandished a firearm towards Baylee Curran and was subsequently taken into custody and charged with assault and battery involving a dangerous weapon. He was granted bail in the amount of $250,000 and released from jail.

Karrueche Tran, the former girlfriend of the well-known singer, was given a five-year restraining order to protect her from further incidents involving threats and physical violence at his hands.

In May 2018, an unidentified woman filed a lawsuit against Brown and others, accusing them of negligence, emotional distress, battery, and assault. She claimed that she was sexually assaulted at his house. Chris’ lawyer, Mark Geragos, stated to TMZ that the demand for $17 million might be why they held a press conference that day. He said, “Chris didn’t do anything and they know he didn’t do anything.” Geragos added, “I don’t understand why Chris is being involved in this situation, other than using his name to have a press conference. I don’t see why he’s dragged into anything.

In June 2018, a woman was given a temporary restraining order that kept Chris Brown at a distance of 100 yards from her. She claimed he had been harassing and stalking her. However, Chris Brown’s lawyer stated that he wasn’t familiar with this woman. Mark Geragos, the attorney, expressed his disappointment in a statement to TopMob News, saying it seemed to be the unhinged ramblings of someone Chris doesn’t know who has mental health issues. He suggested that celebrity meet and greets could potentially attract disturbed fans, and perhaps the court should involve their Mental Health Department.

It’s crucial to set the record straight… The allegations against him regarding rape in Paris are completely unfounded and utterly false!” Brown exclaimed on Instagram, accompanied by a picture that read “This Woman is Lying.” He went on, “Never, ever, EVER!!! For my daughter and my family, such disrespectful behavior goes against my character and moral values!!!

Based on reports from NBC News, the singer and two others were freed afterwards. A source mentioned that the investigation into this matter remains open and is being handled by the Paris Prosecutor’s Office at present. As per TMZ, Brown was released on his own recognizance and permitted to leave France.

2025-01-23 00:18

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