DOJ sets probe on $1-M estafa case vs. Chris Brown, promoter

The Department of Justice is set to conduct a preliminary investigation on the estafa charges against American R&B singer Chris Brown and his Philippine promoter for snubbing a New Year's event December at the Philippine Arena last year.

Brown's promoter allegedly agreed to bring him into the country to perform at the Iglesia ni Cristo-owned venue last New Year's Eve for a cost of more than $1 million.

Prosecutor General Claro Arellano said the complaint, filed by the Maligaya Development Corp through Deo Marco, was being handled by state prosecutor Christine Buencamino.

However, no date yet has been set for the PI.

Marco is in charge of the overall management and administration of Ciudad de Victoria in Bocaue, Bulacan, where the Philippine Arena is located.

Brown was barred from leaving the country after a one-night-only concert at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City on Tuesday, in connection with his failure to appear at a New Year's event concert of the Iglesia ni Kristo despite being paid for it.

Brown and his promoter John Michael Pio Roda were accused by the MDC of swindling under Article 315, Paragraph 2(a) of the Revised Penal Code.

Roda, through his Pinnacle Live Concepts Limited, agreed to bring Brown to the Philippines and have him perform at the INC concert on December 31 for a cost of $1,006,250.00.

MDC's marketing arm, J. Williams Management Group Inc (JWMGI), made an initial payment of US$87,500 to Roda and US$350,000 on October 13, 2014.

Another payment was made on December 1, 2014 to Roda's Pinnacle worth US$45,000 and to Brown worth US$350,000.

"To the dismay of the ticketholders, however, respondent Chris Brown did not perform at the concert. He did not even arrive in the Philippines," read the complaint.

"As a consequence, complainant was subjected to embarrassment and it was publicly scrutinized, as many fans who bought tickets were angered by respondent Chris Brown's non-performance," it added.

The complainant said Brown's non-appearance and the eventual reportage of it in the media caused embarrassment, financial damages, and damage to MDC's reputation.

MDC said it demanded Roda to return the payment and cover the expenses incurred related to the event, but the promoted refused to do so.

"After repeated written and verbal demands, respondents Pio Roda and Chris Brown failed and refused and continuously failed to return the money paid by the corporation to the respondents," read the complaint.

The complainant said it has also "continuously tried to settle amicably with the respondent but to no avail."

Pio Roda allegedly gave inconsistent and conflicting reasons as to why Brown failed to go to the Philippines.

"This just proves that respondent never actually had the capacity to bring into the country respondent Chris Brown, and made such representations only to entice the complainant corporation to part with its money," read the complaint. —NB, GMA News