Promoter of hip-hop star Chris Brown denies defrauding powerful Philippine church group

Chris Brown’s promoter has denied defrauding an influential Philippine religious sect in a case that almost derailed his world tour, lawyers for the American hip-hop star’s business partner said Friday.

Brown was left cooling his heels at a hotel room in Manila for three days last month as the immigration bureau stopped him leaving the country over a concert row with the Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ).

The Canadian promoter, Michael Pio Roda, was arrested. He denies he and Brown received US$1million (HK$7.75 million) for a December 31 concert hosted by the sect last year in which the US R&B star was a no-show, his lawyers said in a statement.

“To hold Mr Pio Roda accountable for the entire one million dollars... is not only without legal or factual basis but is a travesty of justice and a continued violation of human rights,” the statement added.

Iglesia-linked local concert producers Maligaya Development Corp have asked the justice department to file criminal fraud charges against Brown and Roda for failing to show up at the concert even though they had been advanced their fee.

Philippine prosecutors are studying the fraud complaint to determine if criminal charges will be filed in court.

Brown did not attend the show due to a lost passport.