A Los Angeles jury found James Brown not guilty of sexually harassing Lisa Ross Agbalaya, a former employee of James Brown Enterprises.
Agbalaya filed a $1 million lawsuit against Brown, claiming that he made sexual advances toward her in 1999 and then subsequently fired her for rejecting him. Among the complaints filed in her suit were sexual harassment, wrongful termination and infliction of emotional distress. Brown maintained that he made no such advances and contended that Agbalaya's job was eliminated when he shut down his West Coast office, which wasn't turning a profit.
Although the jury found Brown not guilty of sexual harassment, JBE was found guilty of Agbalaya's wrongful termination. Deliberations are underway to determine damages to be paid for her dismissal, but Brown and his attorneys plan to appeal the decision.
ANDREW DANSBY
(February 20, 2002)