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St. Pete Times Photographer Sues Chris Brown, Rihanna

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By RAY REYES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 2, 2008

Updated: 12/02/2008 09:29 pm

A St. Petersburg Times photographer is suing R&B singers Chris Brown and Rihanna for $1 million, saying their bodyguards attacked him as he was taking pictures of the entertainers outside a club earlier this year.

The complaint, filed today in the 6th Judicial Court of Pinellas County, also names three of Brown's bodyguards and Vintage Ultra Lounge, alleging the St. Petersburg club did not have adequate security.

Photographer Luis Santana was at the club about 2:30 a.m. on May 6 when he snapped a picture of Brown and Rihanna in the parking lot, according to the complaint. Brown and his bodyguards came out of a black limousine and chased Santana through the lot, the lawsuit states.

One bodyguard grabbed Santana by the collar and tore off his shirt. Two others then knocked Santana down, took his camera and repeatedly kicked him, according to the lawsuit.

"I couldn't believe it was happening," Santana said Tuesday of the incident. "I've done this many, many times before and never have I ever gotten close to being grabbed. There's a dark side to celebrities and nightlife."

Brown was in town to celebrate his 19th birthday, Santana said.

"I don't think celebrities should be able to fly in to Tampa, beat up on our local newspaper photographers and get away with it," said attorney Paul Kimsey, who represents Santana. "He didn't do anything wrong."

Brown's New York-based attorney, Kenneth Meiselas, said Tuesday in a statement that "neither Chris Brown nor his security was involved in the alleged incident."

Brown intends to "vigorously defend the lawsuit," Meiselas said.

Managers at Vintage Ultra Lounge declined to comment.

Kimsey said Brown and Rihanna did not want to be photographed together. Gossip has swirled on the Internet that Brown and Rihanna are a couple, although both have denied it.

The singers each have multiplatinum albums. Brown, 19, is known for songs "Run It" and "Forever." Rihanna, 20, whose full name is Robyn Rihanna Fenty, had a hit in 2007 with "Umbrella."

News Channel 8 reporter Lynn Carson contributed to this report. Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 259-7920.

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