Another James Brown Meltdown?

Mon., Jul. 17, 2000 11:10 AM PDT by Emily Farache

The Godfather of Soul is probably not feeling good this morning.

James Brown has been accused of swinging a knife at utility worker and holding him against his will.

According to police in Brown's hometown of Beech Island, South Carolina, the worker, one Russell Eubanks, went to Brown's home to respond to a report of a power outtage. Apparently the worker entered through an unlocked security gate and met the 67-year-old Brown, who told him to wait.

When Brown returned, he had a suit (yes, a suit) in one hand. "That means I'm a government agent," Brown said. "And I can lock you up for trespassing and sneaking around on my property."

In his other hand, the Hardest Working Man in Show Business was allegedly carrying a steak knife, which he reportedly began swinging at Eubanks.

At that point, Eubanks says, one of Brown's security guards came up, told the utility worker that Brown had been acting strangely recently, and helped him exit the property.

Meanwhile, the utility company told the police there was nothing wrong with Brown's electricity and they didn't know who called in the complaint.

Police are investigating Eubanks' allegations, which were lodged Saturday. No charges have been filed.

Brown's attorney told the Associated Press he had not heard about the latest allegations and refused to comment further.

Brown, whose hits include "I Got You (I Feel Good)," and "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag," is no stranger to the local police force. He served a three-year sentence for assault and weapons convictions in 1988.

A decade later, Brown was accused of holding a woman hostage.

In a 1998 lawsuit, the woman said the singer, whom she had met while volunteering in prison, had called and asked her to take him to the hospital. After she arrived, he refused to let her leave, keeping her there for three days. The suit claims the woman was assaulted by Brown and suffered physical disorders and severe mental stress. No police charges were filed at the time.

Days later, sheriff's deputies, operating under a court order, escorted Brown to the hospital after his daughter reported him to be acting strangely--supposedly because he was hooked on painkillers. When the cops turned up at the entertainer's home, they found unlicensed guns and marijuana.

Brown, whose battles with substance abuse are well documented, subsequently was ordered to a 90-day drug-treatment program to avoid a two-year prison sentence on the pot and gun charges.

For the record, the singer swore he used the marijuana for medicinal purposes only--it purportedly was helping him cope with an eye ailment.