Chris Brown Could Have Assets Seized over $2M Unpaid Bank Loan Used to Buy Popeyes Franchises

Chris Brown is personally on the hook for more than $1 million after defaulting on a loan used to open two Popeyes Chicken franchises.

The R&B musician and his fellow investors (including producer The-Dream) were sued by City National Bank (CNB) in September 2023 after they defaulted on a 2018 loan the institution provided to finance a pair of Popeyes locations.

CNB attempted to collect on the loan, claiming in documents obtained by The Blast at the time that “as of February 17, 2023, the borrower and the guarantors owe $2,140,901.74 in unpaid principal and interest,” and that Brown is the “personal guarantor” of the loan, leaving him in charge. Courts in Georgia, where the lawsuit was originally filed, ruled in favor of the bank in August 2023, and CNB then initiated proceedings in California to recover their funds.

On Feb. 27, a Los Angeles court upheld a sister-state judgment filed by City National Bank and ordered Brown to personally pay $1,314,367.40, according to documents obtained by PEOPLE.

Now Brown, 34, must respond to the new judgment within 30 days of being filed — or City National Bank can work with California to collect on the debt and potentially seize assets, including property and money, from the singer.

Representatives for Brown did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Chris Brown sued for allegedly beating a man in a London nightclub

Chris Brown. Robin Marchant/Getty

The ordeal with Popeyes isn’t Brown’s only ongoing legal dispute. In October 2023, Abe Diaw sued the “Forever” singer for allegedly hitting him in the face with a bottle of Don Julio 1942 tequila in February of that year at TAPE in London.

According to the lawsuit, obtained by PEOPLE at the time, Brown “beat” Diaw in the head with “debilitating blows” and knocked him unconscious. Brown then allegedly “proceeded to stomp on him mercilessly” for “30 seconds.”

Diaw, then 43, “ended up in the hospital with lacerations to his head and torn ligaments in his leg,” the lawsuit said, adding that it left behind “permanent” damage and “severe emotional distress.”

Chris Brown. Tibrina Hobson/Getty

Diaw, who claims TAPE captured the altercation on surveillance video, is suing Brown for damages and demanding a jury trial, according to the suit.

Brown has a long history of legal troubles, starting in 2009 when he physically assaulted then-girlfriend Rihanna. Rihanna was left with visible facial injuries and was hospitalized; Brown was subsequently charged with felony assault and battery.

In June of that year, he pleaded guilty to the crime and accepted a settlement of community service, five years of probation and domestic violence counseling.

Chris Brown and Usher took the stage at a music festival in Las Vegas after an alleged fight

Chris Brown. Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Getty

More recently, in May 2023, several media outlets reported that Brown and Usher got into a fight the day before they took the stage at the Lovers & Friends music festival in Las Vegas.

This week, Brown announced dates for his upcoming 11:11 tour, slated for 26 dates across North America with opening acts Ayrom Starr and Muni Long.

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Source: HIS Education