Following the release of the Warner Brothers’ film Chris Brown: A History of Violence, the R&B star is suing the studio for their “defamatory documentary.”
Chris Brown is taking legal action.
Three months after the release of the documentary Chris Brown: A History of Violence, the musician filed a lawsuit in the Superior Court of Los Angeles Jan. 21 against Ample LLC, Warner Bros. and producers involved in the Investigation Discovery film’s production, in response to their “defamatory documentary.”
“Despite being notified of the false and misleading narrative accusing Mr. Brown of the heinous acts, including sexual assault and evidence tampering,” read a Jan. 21 statement Brown posted to Instagram, “allegations that had been discredited in court and dismissed as baseless—the defendants released the documentary on October 27, 2024 without regard for Mr. Brown, prioritizing profits over journalistic integrity.”
In response, an Investigation Discovery spokesperson tells E! News, “We stand behind the production and will vigorously defend ourselves against this lawsuit.”
E! News has reached out to Ample for comment but has not heard back.
In the film, an accuser referred to as Jane Doe alleged the R&B star of drugging and raping her in 2020. And after she sued him for $20 million dollars in 2022, the claims were, according to the lawsuit obtained by E!, “discredited, dismissed by the courts, or outright fabricated.”
Referring to an alleged incident between Doe and an unnamed boyfriend, the suit alleges that her “history of violence and erratic behavior should have raised red flags for any responsible journalist” and that the documentary ignored an “established lack of veracity.”
The lawsuit also lays out the toll Brown says the documentary has taken on him.
“The defamatory content in the Documentary has caused significant harm to Mr. Brown’s reputation career and business ventures,” the lawsuit states. “Beyond its personal impact on Mr. Brown, the Documentary undermines responsible storytelling and discredits true survivors of Violence. As a result of Defendants’ conduct, Mr. Brown has been left with no choice but to file this lawsuit to protect not only his reputation but also the public from improper journalistic tactics employed by the defendants.”
The suit further emphasizes the “With You” singer “has never been found at fault for any type of sexual crime.”
(Photo by Tibrina Hobson/Getty Images)However, over the years, the 35-year-old has faced a history of legal troubles, including his arrest in 2009 for assaulting then-girlfriend Rihanna during a confrontation before that year’s Grammys. Four months later, he pleaded guilty to one count of assault with the intent of doing great bodily injury and was sentenced to five years of probation.
He subsequently faced charges for various other alleged crimes, including a hit-and-run charge in 2013 and a felony assault charge that same year. He was later cleared of the hit-and-run charge in Superior Court, L.A. City Attorney spokesman Frank Mateljan confirmed at the time, and his assault charge was later reduced to a misdemeanor assault shortly before he, as his rep told E! in 2013, entered rehab for anger management.
But despite what he may have done in the past, Brown’s attorney Levi McCathern said that the “Under the Influence” singer has been working hard to grow and learn from his mistakes.
(Photo by Per-Anders Pettersson/Getty Images)“This case is about protecting the truth,” the attorney said in a separate statement. “Despite being provided with evidence disproving their claims, the producers of this documentary intentionally promoted false and defamatory information, knowingly disregarding their ethical obligations as journalists.”
“Their actions undermine not only Mr. Brown’s decade-long efforts to rebuild his life,” he continued, “but also the credibility of true survivors of violence.”
Read on for more about Brown’s past legal troubles…
This story was updated on Jan. 22, 2025, at 6:54 p.m. PT to include a statement from an Investigation Discovery spokesperson.
Jemal Countess/WireImageAugust 2009: A Probation Sentence
In August 2009, Brown was sentenced to five years of probation for assaulting Rihanna after pleading guilty two months earlier to felony assault. He was also ordered to complete 180 days of community labor and a one-year anti-domestic violence program. Rihanna was granted a restraining order against the star, which she later requested in 2011 to have bumped down to a level that would allow the two to contact each other as long as he did not harass her.
ABC/Ida Mae AstuteMarch 2011: Good Morning America Sit-Down
After an interview on Good Morning America with anchor Robin Roberts, during which she asked him about assaulting Rihanna, Brown had a meltdown in his dressing room. He later apologized, saying in a different interview that he had to “let off steam” and that he was disappointed with the way he acted.
Michael Kovac, David Livingston/Getty Images, TwitterJune 2012: Bar Brawl
Brown tweeted a photo of a gash on his chin following an alleged bar brawl with fellow artist Drake and their entourages at W.i.P. nightclub in New York City.
Jordan Strauss/Invision/APJanuary 2013: Recording Studio Fight
The singer and Frank Ocean allegedly got into a physical altercation at a recording studio in Los Angeles in January 2013.
Guillermo Bosch/Nitro NewsJuly 2013: Alleged Fan Assault
A California woman sued the “Fine China” singer, accusing him of assaulting her after his June 22 performance at the Heat Ultra Lounge OC in Anaheim and then allegedly had her booted from the nightclub.
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty ImagesAugust 2013: Hit-and-Run
The L.A. City Attorney’s office filed two criminal charges against Brown—hit and run and driving without a valid license—after Brown allegedly hit another car and refused to give his driver’s license number before leaving the scene. However, the case was eventually dismissed.
August 2013: Community Service
Brown’s probation got reinstated and he was ordered to perform 1,000 hours of community service. Brown was first placed on probation after the 2009 domestic violence case in which he pleaded guilty to assaulting his then-girlfriend, singer Rihanna.
October 2013: Released and Reduced
During an appearance in a Washington, D.C., courtroom, a judge reduced the felony assault charge the singer was facing for allegedly punching a man in the face during a fight that broke out on Oct. 27, 2013, and ordered Brown released from custody.
October 2013: Off to Rehab
Breezy checks into rehab to “gain focus and insight into past and recent behavior.”
Frederick M. Brown/Getty ImagesNovember 2013: Back to Rehab
Agreeing with the recommendation of the probation department, L.A. Superior Court Judge James Brandlin ordered the singer to spend another three months in a residential treatment facility, submit to drug testing and take medication as prescribed by his doctor after being kicked out of a different treatment facility. He was kicked out after throwing a rock through his mother’s car window when she visited. Afterward, Brown told authorities that he suffered a “setback, mentally and emotionally, when he was not credited for all the community service hours he initially completed. He had issues with his attention deficit disorder and underwent a period of depression.”
Vantagenews/AKM-GSIFebruary 2014: Diagnosis?
In reference to Brown’s aggressive behavior, legal documents obtained by E! News state the famous singer is believed to be suffering from bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Elder Ordonez/INFphoto.comMarch 2014: Probation Violation
Brown was arrested and jailed for allegedly violating his probation stemming from his 2009 assault conviction.
InstagramJune 2014: Jail Free!
Chris was released early from a Los Angeles County jail in June 2014 after being in custody since mid-March for violating his probation stemming from his 2009 assault on Rihanna.
Kris Connor/Getty ImagesAugust 2014: Praise for Brown
In August 2014, the celeb was praised by the judge for being in full compliance with the terms of his probation after being presented with a favorable report from the probation department.
Kris Connor/Getty ImagesSeptember 2014: Guilty Plea
Singer pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault, stemming from an altercation with another male, which took place in October 2013 in Washington, D.C. Brown was accused of punching and breaking the man’s nose. He was sentenced to time served after having been jailed for two days in the case and has also been ordered to pay $150 in court costs.
Lucy Nicholson – Pool/Getty ImagesJanuary 2015: Probation Revoked
The R&B star’s probation was again revoked, this time the judgment coming after he traveled to San Jose, Calif., without getting permission from his probation officer to leave Los Angeles and still had 200 hours of community service left to perform in just over a week.
Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images for H&MMarch 2015: Probation Is Over
After six years, the star’s probation stemming from his 2009 assault case is ruled officially complete. Judge James Brandlin found that Brown completed his 1,000.5 hours of community service and the Probation Department concluded there were no violations. “IM OFF PROBATION!!!!!!!! Thank the Lord!!!!!!” the star wrote in a since-deleted tweet.
InstagramSeptember 2015: Daddy Duty
In 2015, it was revealed he had fathered a daughter named Royalty with Nia Guzman. That year, he was granted joint custody of her.
AP Photo/Kin CheungJanuary 2016: Las Vegas Blunder
Brown found himself the suspect of an investigation for misdemeanor battery and theft against a woman in Las Vegas in January 2016. According to police, an investigation indicated she had attended a party inside a hotel room and that an altercation took place over a cell phone when she went to take a picture of Brown. His rep told E! News the woman made “false accusations” against Brown and that she was escorted out of the private party “for being disruptive and out of control.”
Pascal Le Segretain/Getty ImagesJune 2016: Alleged Assault and Battery Lawsuit
Brown’s former manager Michael Guirguis sued the “New Flame” crooner in June 2016 for alleged assault, battery, false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, breach of contract and breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing after he alleged the singer “brutally” attacked him in early May before embarking on his European tour. In response, Brown said he fired Guirguis because he was allegedly stealing money, a claim Guirguis’ attorney denied.
Splash NewsAugust 2016: Arrested and Charged
The “Loyal” singer allegedly threatened Baylee Curran with a gun in August 2016 and was subsequently arrested and charged with assault and battery with a deadly weapon. He was released from jail on a $250,000 bail.
Noam Galai/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion WeekFebruary 2017: Restraining Order Granted
The singer’s ex-girlfriend Karrueche Tran was granted a permanent restraining order for five years against her famous ex after she accused him of making threats and physical abuse.
Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images for H&MMay 2018: Lawsuit Filed
In May 2018, an anonymous woman sued Brown and others for alleged negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, battery and assault after alleging she had been sexually assaulted at his house. “The fact that they made a demand for $17 million and I told them to go pound sand probably explains why they did the press conference today. Chris didn’t do anything and they know Chris didn’t do anything,” Chris’ attorney Mark Geragos told TMZ at the time. “Other than using his name so she can have a press conference, I don’t understand why he’s dragged into anything.”
AP Photo/Kin CheungJune 2018: Restraining Order Requested
The singer was ordered to stay 100 yards away from a woman who was granted a temporary restraining order against Brown in June 2018. The woman alleged Brown harassed and was stalking her. However, Brown’s attorney claimed he did not know the woman. “This is sad because it’s obviously the disjointed ranting of someone Chris doesn’t know who has mental health issues,” attorney Mark Geragos said in a statement to E! News. “This just creates celebrity meet and greets with deranged fans, and perhaps the court may want to engage their Mental Health Department.”
Broadimage/REX/ShutterstockJanuary 2019: Detainment in Paris
Reports emerged of the star being detained by police in Paris over a rape accusation. “I WANNA MAKE IT PERFECTLY CLEAR…… THIS IS FALSE AND A WHOLE LOT OF CAP!” Brown retorted on Instagram with a photo that read “This B–ch Lyin’.” He continued, “NNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEERRRRRR!!!!!! FOR MY DAUGHTER AND MY FAMILY THIS IS SO DISPRESPECTFUL AND IS AGAINST MY CHARACTER AND MORALS!!!!!”
The singer and two other individuals were later released, according to NBC News. A source added, “The investigation is not closed at this stage and continues under the authority of the Parquet of Paris.” According to TMZ, Brown was released without bail and free to leave France.