The Godfather of Soul, James Brown took the stand yesterday (2-5) in a Los Angeles courtroom, in the sexual harassment case brought against him by a former employee. 

During his testimony Brown denied that he had acted improper towards his former employee Lisa Ross Agbalaya.  Agbalaya contends that she was fired after complaining about Brown grabbing her and making unwanted sexual advances towards her.  She filed a $1 million dollar lawsuit against the Soul legend in May of 2000. 

Brown testified that nothing improper took place between him and Agbalaya. "I have never touched Miss Ross Agbalaya in my life, � said Brown during his testimony.� She's a married woman and I wouldn't do that".  

Agbalaya was employed as the president of West Coast operations for New James Brown Enterprises Inc until February 2000 when she was dismissed. Brown�s attorney explained that Agbalaya was let go because Brown had decided to shut down his West Coast office. Agbalaya contends that she was fired after complaining that Brown had harassed her. 

During cross examination Agbalaya�s attorney asked Brown if he had been under the influence of marijuana during an incident where he allegedly grabbed Agbalaya by the hips and pulled her suggestively towards him, Brown responded, "I didn't touch nobody, and I didn't use marijuana," he said. "I had two people there. We made sure I wasn't going to be alone with Mrs. Agbalaya."

Brown downplayed Agbalaya�s role in his organization with his testimony, stating that she was under the supervision of his Georgia main office and her title as president is misleading as to her importance in his company, "She was called the president because it sounds good to the DJ's who call there. She wasn't the president".  

After testifying Brown spoke with reporters outside the court. �I have to be here, my name is important," Brown told the press. "That's all I have ... I never demean anybody." 
 

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