Chris Brown has to reportedly pay $13 million to his ex-housekeeper, Maria Avila, who was mauled and disfigured by his dog in 2020. A Los Angeles jury found the singer-songwriter liable and ruled in Maria’s favor after a two-week trial. Brown’s dog attacked the housekeeper outside his house, causing serious injuries.
Chris Brown reportedly ordered to pay $13 million to former housekeeper
Chris Brown’s dog, Hades, a 200-pound Caucasian shepherd, attacked Maria Avila while she was taking out the trash outside his Tarzana, California, home. Billboard reported the verdict on the case on Tuesday, June 30. Maria’s attorney, Michael C. Murphy Jr., told the publication that Brown and his company, Black Pyramid LLC, are liable to pay $12.9 million.
Further, Maria Avila’s sister, Patricia Avila, will get $885,000 for emotional distress, as she was also on the job when Hades attacked Maria. Meanwhile, the jury also awarded $50,000 to Maria’s husband, Oscar Olivo. Murphy told Billboard, “After more than five years of litigating against Chris Brown, we are thrilled that we were able to get justice for our client, Patricia. We are so happy for her and her family after everything they went through on that horrible day. It was an honor to represent her.”
Brown had claimed that Hades was for security purposes and not his personal dog. Per Variety, the testimony that rather than calling 911 himself, Brown fled the scene and drove around for hours might have moved the jury to rule in Maria Avila’s favor. Allegedly, the “Under the Influence” singer left the duties to his staff, assuming there would be a “media circus” if emergency service providers recognized his voice or if he was there when the police arrived.
Ahead of the trial, Brown had conceded partial culpability. In the court, he testified that he had warned the Avila sisters about the dogs. He also said he had told them not to go outside the house while security personnel were present. However, the two housekeepers claimed that no such discussion had taken place, pointing out that language barriers would make it difficult.
Originally reported by Ankita Shaw on Mandatory.
