Singer Chris Brown accused of battery in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS — Singer Chris Brown faces another battery accusation just days after he performed at an after-party to the weekend’s much hyped boxing match, which was also billed as the kickoff to his residency at the Drai’s nightclub.

Las Vegas police said Brown, 25, is suspected of beating a man who was found at the Sunrise Hospital & Medical Center at 3:42 a.m. Monday.

The man said he was playing basketball at the Palms Casino Resort when he got into a verbal argument on the court with the singer. He claimed Brown punched him and, as he was preparing to defend himself, another person with the singer also hit him.

The man took himself to the hospital where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries and released.

Las Vegas police said they went to the hotel after they were called to the hospital but didn’t locate Brown.

Authorities say they have given Brown the option to sign off on a misdemeanor battery citation or have the case turned over to the Clark County District Attorney’s office. As of 2 p.m., police said Brown has not responded.

Officer Larry Hadfield said signing off on the citation is not an admission of guilt but an acknowledgement of the accusation. Similar to accepting a traffic ticket, the accused would be given a court date in Clark County Justice Court scheduled for months from now.

Police said the investigation continues but declined to address the other person with Brown who also allegedly hit the man.

“We haven’t cited anybody. We have not had the opportunity,” Hatfield said.

The incident happened at the Palms Casino Resort, which features a basketball-themed luxury suite for $25,000 per night, officials said.

The 10,000-square-foot Hardwood Suite features an indoor basketball court, locker room with a gym shower, “NBA-sized” beds and 24-hour butler, according to the hotel.

A hotel spokesman deferred all other comment to police.

On Saturday, Brown performed a sold-out show at Drai’s nightclub atop the Cromwell Hotel as after-party entertainment to the much anticipated boxing match between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. He also attended the fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

At his show, Brown reportedly commanded $100 and $200 cover charges with table reservations with bottle-service ranging in price from a $2,000 minimum for a small four-seater as far away from the stage as it can go, to at least $20,000 for a table in the middle of the action.

The full-length concert was also billed as the launch to Brown’s new residency at Drai’s. His next show in the series of concerts is scheduled for July 4, according to an announcement.

The statement sent Sunday also said Brown is expected to celebrate his birthday at the venue’s night time pool party on Tuesday.

The troubled R&B singer was freed from probation for felony assault just six weeks ago. In 2009, Brown pleaded guilty to a brutal attack on his then-girlfriend, the singer Rihanna, hours before the Grammy Awards.

Brown’s legal woes have since been in the spotlight.

His probation was revoked briefly, in January for performing in Northern California without permission and in 2013 for a fender bender filed as a hit-and-run case. He was also charged that same year with misdemeanor assault in Washington.

In February, Canadian immigration officials also refused to allow him into the country, forcing him to cancel two shows, and British officials blocked his entry in 2010 forcing the cancellation of four performances.

Brown’s attorney and publicist could not immediately be reached for comment.