Worker Accuses James Brown

BEECH ISLAND, S.C. (AP) â€” A utility worker has accused James Brown, the 67-year-old Godfather of Soul, of swinging a knife at him and holding him against his will. <br><br>According to police, the worker

Monday, July 17th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

BEECH ISLAND, S.C. (AP) â€” A utility worker has accused James Brown, the 67-year-old Godfather of Soul, of swinging a knife at him and holding him against his will.

According to police, the worker went to Brown's home to respond to a complaint that the power was out. After entering an unlocked security gate, he met Brown, who told him to wait. When Brown returned, he was carrying a suit and said, ``That means I'm a government agent, and I can lock you up for trespassing and sneaking around on my property.'' Brown then allegedly approached the worker with a steak knife.

The utility company said there was nothing wrong with Brown's electricity and they didn't know who called in the complaint.

Brown, whose hits include ``I Got You (I Feel Good),'' and ``Papa's Got a Brand New Bag,'' served a sentence for assault and weapons convictions from 1988 to 1991. In 1998, he completed a 90-day drug treatment program to avoid a two-year prison sentence on marijuana and gun charges. Brown said he used the marijuana for medicinal purposes to treat eye ailments.

Brown's attorney said he had not heard about the latest allegations and refused comment.