Wendy Williams is a small beep on my radar. I know she started getting press when her New York radio show really took off, and she does a lot of celebrity interviews and has her hands on a lot of juicy gossip – much of which might be totally false. Wendy’s trying her hand at television again. This time it’s not just VH1 airing her radio show or whatever, someone actually gave Wendy a talk show. Wendy was promoting the show to Popeater when it seems like she confirmed the rumor that Jay-Z pulled rank at the BET Awards to get Chris Brown uninvited. According to Wendy, Chris Brown is “finished”. Wendy also talks about how Kate Hudson and Jennifer Aniston need some “counseling”, and how she now finds Shia LaBeouf “quietly devastating and sexy.” My favorite part is when she’s talking about Megan Fox – Wendy quotes Judge Judy and says “Beauty fades, dumb is forever.” I seriously hope that’s Megan’s new tattoo:

Popeater: Do you think there’s too much attention being paid by the media to Michael Jackson’s death?
WW: Yea, but we can’t forget about Goldie Hawn being upset — as I am too — about Kate Hudson and Alex Rodriguez! I need to talk to someone about this!

What don’t you like about it?
I don’t like them together. Given that she has Ryder and everything, I feel like Kate introduces men to her child too early. Alex Rodriguez also just got out of a marriage, but they always say don’t monkey-bar from one relationship to another.

Well, there was Madonna in between.
Yea, but Madonna gets it. I don’t think she was looking to fall in love. We gals of a particular age, Madonna is older than me, but still, Madonna’s not looking to have any more kids. Kate is still young and tight and has a chance to go along and make a new family with somebody. Why would you want such used goods? I like Alex, he’s cute and adorable and I wouldn’t kick him out of bed, but he’s a one night stand. I wouldn’t introduce him to my child and mother! And before Kate, I think we need to counsel Jennifer Aniston.

I heard you have a bit of a crush on Shia LaBeouf?
Well all of a sudden, he’s hot. When Rihanna was dating him, that’s when I first took note. And maybe it was the angle of the pictures shot, but I was just like ‘Eww!’ You don’t sport him on your arm, you just hang out with him. I couldn’t figure it out because he didn’t look that hot to me. Now, all of a sudden I saw him with Megan Fox and there’s something about him that’s very quietly devastating and sexy. Though I’ve heard she’s back with Brian Austin Green, which means she just did him (Shia) for the tour and left him on the side.

What do you think about Brian Austin Green dating Megan?
I mean, he was there when she was just Megan from the Midwest or wherever she’s from. Now that she’s Megan Fox, I think she might want to sow her wild oats, and unfortunately, she makes him look like a sucker. There, I said it. She’s not being quiet about sowing her oats. It’s one thing where it’s like ‘Baby, you’re this big star, I can’t go with you to promote ‘Transformers,’ whatever happens overseas stays overseas. Then, here she is practically climbing up Shia LaBeouf’s leg in this red dress. That was extremely disrespectful. If I were a man, that would cancel all hope of getting back together.

Even if it’s someone like Megan Fox?
Excuse me! I’m a fan of Judge Judy, and like she says, ‘Beauty fades, dumb is forever.’ Very disrespectful.

OK, let’s play a bit a word association. I’ll say a celebrity, you give me the first things that pop into your mind.
Michael Jackson: Dead, and rest in peace.
Britney Spears: Brunette, and she looks good!
Chris Brown: Finished. Listen, Mike! My hopes for any sort of comeback was for the Michael Jackson tribute at the BET Awards, but from what I understand, Jay-Z didn’t even want him in the building. I think everyone will forget about it (the Rihanna beating), but everyone will forget him too. Here it is, pop culture forgets everything. If Chris Brown wanted to make an immediate comeback, the BET Awards was the way to do it. He does have a chance to get back in and do something, but he has to have a spec-tacular party song. It’s gotta be good for hip-hop and Top 40, for all colors and all ages.

[From Popeater]

Is it weird that I’m totally with Wendy on all of this? She’s got Megan Fox down exactly, I think she’s got Madonna figured out, and the Kate Hudson stuff is right on. The only thing she might have wrong is Chris Brown – I don’t think he’s in any way finished. If anything, beating Rihanna made Chris Brown a household name, and there’s a very real possibility he’s going to be a big star for years to come. Unless Jay-Z meets him in a dark alleyway.

Wendy Williams is shown on 5/20/09 and 6/17/09. Credit: WENN.com

One of Michael Jackson’s biggest fans in the music industry didn’t make it to Sunday night’s BET Awards, in which many prominent artists paid tribute to Michael. According to several reports, Chris Brown was supposed to take part in one of the Jackson tributes, but ended up not even showing up for the event. According to a statement from Brown’s rep to Page Six, Brown “was never confirmed to perform.” This contradicts both the same Page Six report, and Gatecrasher, who claim that Jay-Z pulled some major rank to ensure that Brown would be nowhere near the Jackson tributes. It seems that for Jay-Z, Brown is still persona non grata because of the Rihanna situation. Jay famously called Brown “a walking dead man” after Brown beat the hell out of Rihanna, and even though Brown pled guilty and got probation, Jay is holding the grudge. Gatecrasher is also reporting that BET producers and Rev. Al Sharpton had a lot to say about Chris’s involvement:

Chris Brown was a no-show at Sunday night’s BET Awards because producers pulled his performance at the last minute.

According to several insiders, Brown’s appearance was considered risky business on a night honoring Michael Jackson. The “No Air” singer is facing negative publicity after pleading guilty to the February assault of his ex-girlfriend Rihanna.

One source says Brown’s absence came at the insistence of the Rev. Al Sharpton. “Al made such a fuss to the BET executives that they pulled Chris,” says our insider, who adds that Jay-Z also had a hand in the decision. “Jay is a big name in the BET community, and he was very vocal about his displeasure with Chris attending the ceremony. He didn’t want Chris anywhere near the awards so close to the court’s ruling.”

Brown isn’t taking the public dis on the chin, either. “He’s furious,” a pal of the singer tells us. “BET asked him to perform and waited until the last minute to tell him it was off. He’s pretty shocked and outraged right now.”

Both BET publicists and Brown’s camp say the singer was never confirmed for the show.
Meanwhile, Rihanna’s absence from the event was just as noticeable as Brown’s. But while her ex fumed, the “Umbrella” singer was busy hanging out with her crush, Orlando Magic forward Rashard Lewis, in NYC. Says a rep for the beauty, “Rihanna was never meant to attend [the BET awards].”

Also expected at the ceremony were Usher and Justin Timberlake; both bowed out of the event but agreed to take part in a later tribute to Jackson on BET.

[From Gatecrasher]

Page Six also has Jay “threatening to pull out of the show if Chris was involved, so BET dropped Chris.” I actually think this is great, and props to Jay and whoever else pulled rank to ensure that Chris couldn’t attend. First of all, Chris’s presence would have pulled focus from the attempt to honor Michael Jackson. Secondly, Chris Brown should have some career blowback after the Rihanna incident. Well done, Jay.

The case is closed on Chris Brown’s assault charge against former girlfriend Rihanna. The R&B singer walked away with five years’ probation and zero jail time after a last-minute plea agreement. Legal experts think Brown, who had previously rejected such agreements, folded on the last day of his trial because he was afraid of the fallout that might come if Rihanna had testified about the incident that left her bruised and bloodied. Whether justice was truly served or not remains to be seen – it all depends on whether or not Chris will be able to keep his hands to himself from now own. But does anyone think Chris Brown’s upcoming CD release will do well?

Chris Brown won’t go to jail for assaulting Rihanna. The question now is whether his plea-bargained penalty – community labor, probation, domestic violence classes – will reform his behavior and save his career.

PEOPLE readers overwhelmingly said justice wasn’t served Monday when Brown reached a deal with prosecutors in exchange for pleading guilty to felony assault. But some experts take a more forgiving view, saying the R&B star is already off to a good start.

“In accepting a plea bargain, you’re accepting responsibility for your behavior,” says New York City clinical psychologist Jeffery Gardere. And by taking the court-mandated classes, Brown will be forced to face the issues that led him to become violent in the first place. (Brown has said that as a child, he witnessed his mother being abused.) “Part of those classes is talking about what happened as well as learning what your actions can do to victims and to yourself,” he says.

Anger Management
While it remains to be seen how the singer handles his anger, living in the public eye may serve as an extra deterrent. “He’s going to have a lot of people looking at him and hopefully that will keep him from using violence again,” says Dr. Lenore Walker, professor of psychology at NOVA Southeastern University and author of The Battered Woman Syndrome.

What may be harder for Brown – once known as a good boy – is rehabbing his image.

Brown hasn’t released any new music yet. “There are no ‘new’ songs from Chris Brown currently being promoted by Chris or his record label,” according to a statement from his label (although several old demos have apparently surfaced).

But the star has been in the studio recording tracks for his next album, which many hope will include a redemption song. “A song with the proper lyrics and melody can heal wounds,” explains former record label executive Charlie Walk, president and CEO of CWE Media, a multimedia entertainment company. “If he apologizes through song, that may be enough to take him where he needs to go.”

Healing With Music
Even if he doesn’t release a personal song, Brown needs a tune that at least tops the charts, says branding expert Marvet Britto. “Hit records allow people to move past very difficult points in their lives.”

Though music fans may be forgiving, it’s safe to say many players in the corporate world will not be eager to sign a felon to million dollar endorsements deals. (In the past, Brown has had deals with Doublemint gum and the “Got Milk?” campaign.)

“He is going to have serious problems,” says an entertainment lawyer who works with celebrities. “He beat up this beautiful young woman that everyone loves, and now no one wants to touch him.” Adds Britto, “There are parents out there who are concerned.”

Still, recording executive Walk believes there is hope for Brown’s future: “Stars all make mistakes,” he says. “If you are truly a star, you are timeless.”

[From People]

Sadly, I think Chris Brown will still be a hitmaker. And don’t expect any kind of apology, either. He may have plead guilty, but he doesn’t think he did anything wrong. While the people in this article seem to think that no one in the industry will touch Brown, the unwillingness by many of his friends and peers to condemn his actions suggest that there are still a lot of people who are on his side and look at this incident as no big deal. There are many fans who, although there is zero evidence to support this theory, insist that Brown’s beating of Rihanna was defensive in nature and that she was “asking for it.” This is probably due to comments made by Brown sympathizers such as Diddy. No – I think the next Chris Brown single will top the charts, he’ll keep making money, and hasn’t learned a single thing from this entire ordeal. Except that next time he hits a woman, he’ll make sure to strike her where nobody can see the bruises.

Chris Brown is shown on 6/6/09 with Omarion. Credit: Johnny Louis/WENN.com

Chris Brown entered a guilty plea for felony assault yesterday and received five years probation for the brutal beating of his then-girlfriend, singer Rihanna, in February. He was also ordered to complete 180 days of community service in his home state of Virginia and to undergo domestic violence counseling every week for nearly a year. Although Rihanna was in court in anticipation of being called to testify, the plea deal ensured that she was not called to the stand. The judge also issued an order of protection for Rihanna stipulating that Brown stay 50 yards away from her at all times, except at music events, when the distance was limited to 10 yards.

A repentant Chris Brown accepted a plea deal Monday from California prosecutors, avoiding jail time for beating up his ex-girlfriend Rihanna.

Brown, 20, fessed up to one count of felony assault stemming from the February attack…

“Guilty,” Brown said in a soft voice, standing in the packed courtroom with hands clasped behind his back.

[Brown] is expected to receive five years’ probation and be ordered to complete 180 days, or more than 1,400 hours, of community labor when sentenced Aug. 5. He must also undergo 52 weeks of domestic violence counseling.

Asked by Judge Patricia Schnegg if he understood the plea-bargain, Brown said, “Yes, ma’am.”

Wearing a gray plaid suit, a white shirt and a striped cream tie, Brown entered his plea as his mother, Joyce Hawkins, somberly watched from the courtroom gallery.

“I think it’s commendable you took responsibility for your conduct,” Schnegg told [Brown]

Schnegg encouraged Brown to take his counseling sessions seriously, saying, “I hope [it] will have some meaning for you.”

The plea deal allowed Rihanna, 21, to avoid testifying at the hearing, initially intended to determine if there was enough evidence to send Brown to trial.

The “Umbrella” singer made a brief appearance in the courtroom after Brown left. Schnegg told her that she was issuing a protection order barring Brown from coming closer than 50 yards, except at music industry
events, when he must stay 10 yards away from her.

“Thank you, Your Honor,” said Rihanna, wearing a short black dress and a pearl necklace.

Prosecutors informed [Rihanna] of the deal shortly before the hearing.

“We discussed the plea with the victim, and she concurred,” said Sandi Gibbons, spokeswoman for the Los Angeles district attorney’s office.

Brown started beating Rihanna after they left a pre-Grammy gala Feb. 8 in a rented Lamborghini.

“He [Brown] punched her in the left eye with his right hand,” a police affidavit stated and “continued to punch her in the face with his right hand while steering the vehicle with his left hand.”

[From The NY Daily News]

We haven’t heard any kind of mea culpa or sincere apology from Brown and he has done absolutely nothing to show that he’s repentant at all for his severe attack on Rihanna. All he did was issue a kind of passive statement that he was “sorry… for what transpired” and record a video in which he called out people for being haters and claimed “I ain’t a monster.” Brown didn’t do a single act of public contrition, like visiting sick kids in the hospital or recording a public service message – about anything, not necessarily domestic violence. I hope his community service is backbreaking, and I hope he gets arrogant and entitled as expected, doesn’t complete his probation requirements and gets sent to jail.

Brown is shown outside of court yesterday. Credit: Horizon Pix/Fame Pictures. Court sketches thanks to MavrixOnline.

In about an hour and a half Rihanna is scheduled to take the stand against ex-boyfriend Chris Brown. It’s been rumored for months that she’d find some way out of it (or flat-out refuse), but Rihanna’s lawyer has insisted all along that she’ll be there. There have also been rumors that the prosecution and defense made some kind of last minute agreement, but apparently that’s untrue, and it sounds like court proceedings will go ahead as planned.

The stage is set for an explosive court hearing in Los Angeles Monday afternoon as pop diva Rihanna publically comes face-to-face with R&B singer Chris Brown, her ex-boyfriend accused of badly beating her last February. The big question remains — will Rihanna take the stand Monday at Brown’s preliminary hearing to recount the events the night of their alleged altercation? It’s expected that she will testify, and Rihanna’s lawyer tells RadarOnline.com that the subpoenaed singer will “comply and answer the questions” asked of her in court Monday.

At the conclusion of the preliminary hearing, the judge will decide whether there is enough evidence to order Brown to stand trial or to dimiss [sic] the case altogether. Brown has pleaded not guilty to multiple felony charges (assault and making criminal threats) prosecutors said he committed against the Umbrella singer in the Hancock Park area of Los Angeles after a pre-Grammy night soiree on February 8.

In response to rumors that prosecutors and Brown’s attorneys had reached an an eleventh-hour accord, Rihanna’s attorney told RadarOnline.com that he believes the court proceedings will take place Monday. “There is no deal on the table that I’m aware of,” Donald Etra told RadarOnline.com Sunday evening. “Rihanna is under subpoena to testify, and she will be there [Monday] afternoon.”

…Media frenzy is expected to hit an all-time high for Monday’s proceedings: 52 outlets have requested access to Monday’s session, a number the LA Times reported trumps other high-profile celebrity court incidents, including Paris Hilton’s 2007 incarceration, Britney Spears’ divorce or Lindsay Lohan’s DUI case. “I’ve never seen this kind of interest, and I’ve been here seven years,” Court spokesman Allan Parachini told the LA Times.

[From Radar]

It’ll be interesting to see what’s released and how quickly. Of those 52 media outlets who have requested access, none of them will be allowed to film the proceedings. Presumably live audio recordings will be allowed since that’s almost always the case, but I’m finding conflicting reports on that so we’ll have to wait and see.

I can’t imagine what Rihanna must be going through right now, but I’m guessing that more than anything, she just wants this to be over with. Chris Brown’s lawyers have done a great job of dragging this out as long as possible. Though initially a lot of people were disappointed in Rihanna for getting back together with Brown, she ultimately made the right decision and broke up with him. Since this is just a preliminary court hearing Rihanna will likely have to go before the court again. Tough as it is, that’s ultimately what we want to see, because that means Brown hasn’t gotten a deal. This is just one step in the process, but it still brings her a little closer to being done with the ordeal.

Here’s Rihanna visiting the Hand and Foot Spa at Carol’s Daughter in Harlem on Wednesday. Images thanks to WENN.com .

Despite worries and rumors that she would refuse to testify, Rihanna has been subpoenaed to appear at ex-boyfriend Chris Brown’s trial on Tuesday. And Rihanna’s lawyer says she will testify, answer questions, and do whatever else is required of her.

Los Angeles prosecutors have subpoenaed Rihanna to appear in court to testify in the assault case against Chris Brown, her lawyer tells PEOPLE.

The “Umbrella” singer, 21, was served in person Tuesday in Los Angeles with the subpoena for the June 22 hearing in Superior Court, her lawyer Donald Etra confirms.

Brown, 20, has pleaded not guilty to two felony counts following his alleged Feb. 8 assault on Rihanna.

“Rihanna was served at my office by L.A. DA investigators,” Etra says. “If the preliminary hearing indeed goes forward, she is now legally required to be there, she will be there, and will answer all questions truthfully.”

The purpose of the hearing is to determine if there’s enough evidence to bind Brown over to trial. Rihanna will also be subject to cross-examination by Brown’s attorney Mark Geragos. The case could end any time with a plea deal, making the hearing unnecessary.

“Rihanna’s testimony can make or break the case,” says L.A. criminal defense attorney Jeffery Rubenstein, who’s not involved with the case. “Her willingness to testify and be truthful about what happened is a step closer to convicting Brown. On the other hand, if prosecutors fail to present a case, Geragos can seek to dismiss or reduce the charges on the spot.”

[From People]

I think everyone is relieved that Rihanna has seemingly moved on from Brown – for about a billion reasons. One being that it obviously would have been hard to get her to testify if she were still dating him. Everyone had assumed Chris would plead out by now, and it is sort of strange that he hasn’t. I can’t help but wonder if it’s because there’s so much attention on the case thus the D.A. is under a lot of pressure to prosecute. Because if it weren’t for that, this seems like the kind of case they’d plea out pretty quickly. First offense, young-ish offender, etc.

Frankly I’d like to see him do as much time as possible, but there is absolutely nothing about the justice system that rehabilitates domestic abusers. Of course you could make that argument for most criminals, but I would say it’s especially true in this case. It just gives them time to stew over whatever they’re pissed about and be on the receiving end themselves – which you’d think would teach them a lesson but generally doesn’t.

Hopefully this will be a good step for Rihanna though, and help her get closer to moving on with her life. I doubt she’ll ever really feel “over it.” But knowing she stood up for herself will make it a hell of a lot easier to be proud and carry on every day.

Here’s Rihanna arriving at JFK to catch a flight out of New York City today. Images thanks to INF Photo.

Rihanna is expected to receive a subpeona to appear in court on June 22 for a preliminary hearing the felony assault case against her ex boyfriend, singer Chris Brown. Brown will also be present at the hearing. It will be up the to District Attorney whether Rihanna will be called to testify. Brown brutally beat Rihanna in an incident in early February. A leaked photo of Rihanna’s injuries showed two contusions on her head, two black eyes, and a bloodied mouth. Brown’s attorney is said to hope to call for a mistrial based on that photo showing police misconduct, but the judge isn’t looking kindly on his efforts to get access to police records to prove his case:

Rihanna is among the witnesses whom prosecutors plan to call during a hearing in Chris Brown’s assault case, an attorney said Thursday.

Donald Etra, Rihanna’s lawyer, told reporters that prosecutors have told him the Barbados-born singer will receive a subpoena to testify at a preliminary hearing June 22. The hearing will focus on whether there is enough evidence to continue the case against Brown.

Etra said Rihanna will comply with the order. It would mark her first appearance in court since felony assault and criminal threats charges were filed against Brown in March.

If she is called to testify, the 21-year-old singer would be subject to cross-examination by Brown’s attorney, Mark Geragos.

Other potential witnesses have not been named, but will likely include police investigators.

Brown was arrested in February on suspicion of hitting and choking Rihanna in a rented car hours before the couple were scheduled to appear at the Grammys.

Etra wouldn’t address their relationship now, but said Rihanna, whose real name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, was following the case closely.

A judge on Thursday rejected a motion by Geragos to receive police and investigative records related to the case and the apparent leak of a photo of a beaten and bruised Rihanna.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Patricia Schnegg told Geragos the motion was premature and he could file it again after the preliminary hearing.

Brown wasn’t in court Thursday, but he’s required to attend the preliminary hearing. The 20-year-old R&B singer faces possible sentences that range from probation to nearly five years in prison if convicted.

Geragos argued that he should have access to the records to properly cross-examine police witnesses during the preliminary hearing. He also said intense public interest in the case should require the records’ release.

Schnegg said Brown’s fame wasn’t an issue she was going to consider. She also called Geragos’ motion “a fishing expedition.”

She also said the records, which Geragos wants to use to search for police bias or misconduct, don’t have anything to do with Brown’s arrest. She said officers responded to a 911 call and the “Run It!” singer was arrested well before the photo of Rihanna’s battered face was posted by celebrity gossip Web site TMZ.

[From AP via Huffington Post]

The last we heard from Brown he released an obnoxious home video plugging his album and defiantly dismissing people for paying attention to this case. In our coverage of this, I missed another video that Brown made with his buddy in which he denied that he had a black eye and said “All the blog sites are liars.” (Reading this transcript I thought he meant that he didn’t give Rihanna a black eye, but he clearly points to his own eye in the video and the title is “Chris Brown does not have a black eye!”)

All the blog sites are liars. You guys lie. No black eye [points to own eye] I just want to say ‘What up’ because I ain’t been out there in a minute [...] We ain’t going nowhere. Everybody that’s haters, they just been haters. All my real fans, I love you all. I ain’t a monster

[via Wikipedia]

I hope the judge takes Brown’s attitude into consideration in sentencing. He made a huge mistake making that video. He was probably thinking that he was showing that he’s fine and still working, but he’s really making it clear that he has no remorse or regret for his awful actions.

Rihanna has clearly moved on. She was seen out on what looked like a date with Drake, a rapper and Canadian actor who appeared on Degrassi: The Next Generation, on May 18. According to the latest Star Magazine, Rihanna is furious about the nude photos of her that leaked earlier this month, and she knows that Brown is behind it. She is said to want revenge. Maybe she’ll get it on the witness stand and maybe Brown will spend some time behind bars for his horrific act.

Rihanna is shown at an event on 5/6/09 (Credit: Fame Pictures) and out in NY on 5/22/09 (Credit: WENN.com)

Chris Brown is piling legal problems on top of legal problems. Not that he’s the victim in any of the cases, or that we should feel badly for him by any means. But in his latest lawsuit, Brown is being taken to court by a member of the paparazzi. That’s a hard one: how do you take sides when it’s slime versus sludge?

“Photographer” (that’s the generous term the paparazzo is using to describe himself) Robert Rosen says that in March, he took a photo of Brown outside of an L.A. Fitness Club. From the sounds of it, the photo was legal, but for whatever reason enraged either Brown or his bodyguard. The guard then went after Rosen – it’s not clear if it was at Brown’s behest – attacked him, resulting in Rosen falling down an entire flight of stairs. But that didn’t stop the bodyguard – he then picked up Rosen by his shorts (it what sounds like quite the severe wedgie) and continued to beat him up. All this over a photo.

Chris Brown is facing more legal trouble – this time from a man who claims he was beaten up by the singer’s bodyguard.

Robert Rosen is suing Brown, 20, for personal injury, alleging he was roughed up after taking a snapshot of Brown at a Los Angeles fitness club on March 13, according to the lawsuit filed in L.A. Superior Court.

Rosen claims he was chased by the bodyguard, who yelled at him after taking the picture while Brown was playing basketball, and attempted to run away, but an employee of L.A. Fitness Club allegedly “tried to block [Rosen's] exit and grabbed his clothing and body.”

Rosen broke free but then fell down a flight of stairs, the lawsuit says. The bodyguard then allegedly “picked [Rosen] up by his shorts, and physically assaulted him,” according to the lawsuit. Rosen adds he was “severely injured and disabled, both internally and externally,” claims he was falsely imprisoned, and is seeking damages covering his medical bills and emotional distress.

Rosen, who’s also suing the fitness club for negligence and other claims, argues its employees did not adequately protect him.

[From People]

There’s nothing that alleges Chris Brown directly participated in the assault, but as the bodyguard’s employer he’s responsible for his actions to an extent. This isn’t the first time Rosen has tried to make money off of a celebrity. A year and a half ago he claimed Pierce Brosnan hit him in the ribs, but the charges were later dropped. Brown’s infamous lawyer, Mark Geragos, says this guy’s a con artist.

Chris Brown’s attorney Mark Geragos has released the following statement regarding the man suing the pop star for assault and battery.

“This is a specious and frivolous lawsuit by one of the paparazzi seeking publicity and a payday,” Geragos said of photog Robert Rosen, “[Rosen] has done this before and lost. We will vigorously defend against this.”

Geragos is referring to an October 2007 incident where Rosen claimed to have been struck in the ribs by actor Pierce Brosnan, on a family outing in Malibu. The charges against the Bond star were later dismissed.

[From Radar]

Radar has the photos Rosen took, and Brown doesn’t look to be upset at all. There’s also a “dramatic” shot of Rosen limping with an ice pack. Yes, an ice pack. You can imagine the kind of damage that must have been done.

I never ever will side with Chris Brown on anything. He could be like, “Hey, JayBird, it’s cloudy today.” And I’d be like, “F you Chris Brown, the sky is clear blue” as raindrops fell on my head. It doesn’t matter what he says or does, I can’t go along with it. Nonetheless, I never want to take a parparazzo’s side, and this lawsuit sounds like it could easily be over-exaggerated BS. If he’s smart – and he’s not – Brown will settle out of court before it gains any more steam.

Chris Brown is shown outside his lawyer’s office and outside court on 4/6/09. Images thanks to WENN.com .

Chris Brown has recorded a new video plugging the album he’s working on and mentioning that he has a new single coming out this summer. Up until now, Brown has only issued one statement to the public about his brutal attack on then-girlfriend Rihanna in February. Brown’s statement at the time was one that many people considered inadequate. He claimed to be “sorry and saddened… over what transpired” but added that “much of what has been speculated or reported on blogs and/or reported in the media is wrong.” He said he couldn’t say more due to his pending legal case, and that’s understandable but he definitely could have been more contrite about beating and choking his girlfriend. The language just seemed detached, like he was obliged to issue a statement and wasn’t sorry at all.

Now we can rest assured that Brown really isn’t sorry for “what transpired” when he tried to choke the life out of Rihanna. He said in the very casual video that people are haters and he’s not a monster:

We ain’t goin nowhere. Everybody that’s haters, they’ve just been haters. All my real fans, I love y’all. I aint a monster. (throws peace sign quickly.)

Brown’s case is still in court, with his attorneys trying to work out a deal with prosecutors to get all charges dropped due to the leaked photo of Rihanna’s bloodied face. In April he plead not guilty to felony assault and making criminal threats. I’ve found at least two stories claiming that there’s another hearing in his case either today or tomorrow, Thursday, but it’s hard to tell if they’re accurate as this news hasn’t been widely reported. If that is the case, Brown isn’t doing himself any favors by calling people “haters.” Maybe he’s just cocky because his lawyers have told him he’s about to get off scot free.

We’re pretty sure that the woman shown in the nude cell phone pictures is Rihanna. It really looks like her, and the tattoos and piercings seem to match up, but the photos are grainy and it’s hard to tell. Another leaked photo of Chris Brown with a pair of panties on his head suggests that it’s Rihanna in the other photos, but it could be coincidence. Of course, fingers are now pointing at Chris as the person who leaked the photos in the first place – what better way to make yourself look good by trying to change public opinion about the girl you beat up? That’s logic right there.

Chris’s rep is of course denying the allegations, calling the story “defamatory.” Def Jam, Rihanna’s label, has also sent cease and desist letters to news outlets that published the pictures, because they “violate the Artist’s rights” – without confirming or denying that the pictures are actually of Rihanna.

A rep for Chris Brown says he had nothing to do with alleged nude photos of Rihanna hitting the internet.

“This is both a false and defamatory statement. Chris has not released or ‘leaked’ any photos of Rihanna (or anyone else for that matter),” his rep told Essence.com after gossip blogger Perez Hilton claimed Brown “must be responsible” for distributing the raunchy photos.

On Friday, her label Def Jam sent cease and desist letters to outlets who published the photos — reportedly showing Rihanna and Brown in various states of undress — claiming the images violate “the Artist’s rights.” The label neither confirmed nor denied whether it is actually Rihanna in the nude photos.

[From Us Weekly]

Now that the beating scandal has died down a bit and Chris Brown might not be going to jail after all because of the leaked pictures of Rihanna’s battered face, it’s sad that the situation has turned to a naked photo scandal. Whether or not Chris Brown leaked the photos himself, it’s a low blow. Rihanna is already in a vulnerable position, career-wise and personally, and she’s been getting criticism for possibly being back with Chris. She has also been seen out with her old high school boyfriend Neagus Sealy in Barbados. Hopefully the leaked photos aren’t meant as a way to get back at her for rekindling her old high school love.

Chris Brown and Rihanna are shown on 4/16/09. Credit: bauergriffinonline.com