Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live At Daybreak

James Brown Cleared of Charges

Aired February 20, 2002 - 06:19   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: The Godfather of Soul has been cleared of sexual harassment charges. Josh Rubenstein of affiliate KCAL was in Los Angeles for James Brown's day in court.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DEBRA OPRI, BROWN'S ATTORNEY: Godfather, congratulations, sir.

JOSH RUBENSTEIN, KCAL: Attorney Debra Opri gives the good word to legendary singer James Brown. A jury says he didn't sexually harass former model Lisa Agbalaya while she was employed by him.

OPRI: He feels good. He wants you all to know he's feeling really good today, really good.

RUBENSTEIN: The three week trial wrapped up last week. And while the jury actually reached their verdict last Thursday, it was read in court this morning.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: "Did defendant or any of the defendants sexually harass (UNINTELLIGIBLE)?" Answer: "James Brown, an individual, no." "The New (ph) James Brown Enterprises Inc., James Brown West?" "No."

RUBENSTEIN: According to the complaint, Agbalaya says the legendary singer made numerous sexual advances towards her between 1999 and 2000. She believed when she turned him down he closed his West Coast offices where she worked to punish her. On the stand two weeks ago Brown said he didn't do anything wrong.

JAMES BROWN, ENTERTAINER: I have never touched Ms. Agbalaya-Ross in my life and she knows it. Never in my life. She's a married woman, nothing for me.

RUBENSTEIN: And while the jury did agree Brown was not guilty of sexual harassment or inflicting emotional distress, they did say his company wrongfully terminated Agbalaya. Regardless, Brown's attorneys say the verdict is a big win.

OPRI: We're happy. We're very happy that the jury heard our message. And we want everyone to understand that frivolous lawsuits cost a lot of money and they don't belong in courtrooms.

RUBENSTEIN: Agbalaya says she's disappointed by the verdict and still supports her complaint.

LISA AGBALAYA, PLAINTIFF: The bottom line is, I know what James Brown did and he knows what he did. And, you know, we can get as many witnesses to say whatever, but he knows and I know and that's what's important.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

COSTELLO: And that was Josh Rubenstein from KCAL in Los Angeles reporting for us this morning.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com