The Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office has filed two misdemeanor charges against the singer Chris Brown in connection with a minor traffic accident in the San Fernando Valley on May 21, a move that may affect his probation on an assault conviction.
Frank Mateljan, a spokesman for the city attorney, said Mr. Brown has been charged with hit-and-run and driving without a valid license, each of which carries a maximum penalty of six months in jail. An arraignment has been scheduled for July 15.
The charges stem from a collision near Toluca Lake in which Mr. Brown’s Range Rover ran into a Mercedes. The aftermath of the incident was caught on tape by the gossip site TMZ. Mr. Brown is accused of leaving the scene without showing the other driver his license and after providing her with false insurance information.
Several responses were posted on Tuesday to Mr. Brown’s Twitter account denying the charges.
It's not a hit and run if u get out the car, exchange information (who has NO DAMAGE to either cars).This is really ridiculous
â€" Chris Brown (@chrisbrown) June 25, 2013
I have a valid drivers license and I gave the woman the right info. She saw cameras and wanted to make a scene.
â€" Chris Brown (@chrisbrown) June 25, 2013
She contacted the cops thinking of a payday from Chris Brown when I followed the proper procedures.
â€" Chris Brown (@chrisbrown) June 25, 2013
Mr. Mateljan said the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office would be not! ified about the misdemeanor charges but it remained unclear if the charges would affect Mr. Brown’s probation status. He has been on probation since pleading guilty to assaulting his girlfriend, Rihanna, on the eve of the Grammy Awards in 2009.
