Woman sues celebrity Chris Brown, accusing him of hitting her

A woman sued celebrity Chris Brown on Wednesday, accusing him of assaulting her after she tried to photograph him at a party at the Palms.

Liziane Gutierrez claimed that Brown had invited her to a party in his hotel room Jan. 2, and when she tried to snap his photo, her cellphone was taken and she was removed from the room by private security. She claims hotel security then ejected her from the hotel-casino at 4321 W. Flamingo Road.

Police said Guiterrez told them that when she returned to the room about an hour later, she argued with Brown and he struck her. Gutierrez "appeared to have minor injuries sustained as a result of a battery," a Metropolitan Police Department release said earlier this year.

Metro detectives suspended the criminal investigation against Brown in January, citing insufficient evidence to proceed.

Gutierrez seeks punitive damages, damages for pain and suffering, and compensation for attorney fees, court documents show. Besides physical injury, Gutierrez is suing for "emotional distress, mental anguish, pain and suffering" along with defamation, court documents show.

The cellphone taken during the altercation has still not been returned to Gutierrez, said Craig Drummond, an attorney representing Gutierrez in this case.

Brown had previously stated that he would countersue for defamation, but so far hasn't. A representative for Brown didn't return requests for comment.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Contact Christian Bertolaccini at cbertolaccini@reviewjournal.com and 702-383-0381. Find him on Twitter: @bertolaccinic