US singer Chris Brown charged over hit-and-run

In this May 19, 2013, file photo, singer Chris Brown arrives at the Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, in Las Vegas. The Los Angeles city attorney’s office has charged Brown with misdemeanor hit-and-run and driving without a valid license. City attorney spokesman Frank Mateljan says the charges filed Tuesday, June 25, 2013, involve a minor accident on May 21 in the San Fernando Valley. PHOTO BY JOHN SHEARER/INVISION/AP

LOS ANGELES—US singer Chris Brown has been charged over an alleged hit-and-run car accident, police said Tuesday, but the star claimed the other driver involved was trying to get a “payday” from him.

Brown, who is still on probation for his notorious 2009 assault on then girlfriend Rihanna, took to Twitter to proclaim his innocence over the accident in May, saying he had exchanged insurance details with the female driver.

“I have a valid driver’s license and I gave the woman the right info. She saw cameras and wanted to make a scene. She contacted the cops thinking of a payday from Chris Brown when I followed the proper procedures,” he wrote.

Frank Mateljan, a spokesman for the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office, said Brown was charged with one count each of hit-and-run and driving without a valid license over the May 21 incident.

Media reports said Brown rear-ended a Mercedes with his Range Rover near Toluca Lake, north of LA. He stopped and swapped information, but celebrity news website TMZ suggested that he gave false information.

Brown fired off a series of tweets after the charges were announced Tuesday.

“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,” he posted on the micro-blogging website.

“I work my ass off to provide for my entire family. I’ve made mistakes in the past and have worked hard to be a better person,” he said, adding: “I gotta clear my name.”

Brown was sentenced to five years’ probation, a yearlong domestic violence program and 180 days of community service after assaulting Rihanna on the eve of the 2009 Grammys. A photo of her bruised face triggered widespread anger.