Ms Agbalaya claims the singer harassed her at his home

Ms Agbalaya-Ross worked at the California office of the singer's company from 1993 to 1999.

In the trial, which began last week, she alleges Mr Brown sacked her after she spurned his numerous advances, including one in August 1999 at the singer's home.

Ms Agbalaya-Ross claims Mr Brown took hold of her by the hips and made suggestive comments.

She also says that Mr Brown made similar advances to some of his other female employees.

'Quick buck'

Mr Brown and his lawyers say Ms Agbalaya-Ross was let go when his California office was shut down and that she had become a "disgruntled employee".

The singer's attorney Debra Opri says the case is "not about sex. This case is about money".

Last week, Mr Brown also said he was fighting back against "frivolous and expensive lawsuits filed (against celebrities) by people for no other purpose than to make a quick buck".

He added: "I will not allow individuals to file these kinds of lawsuits with the belief that it would be cheaper to settle than to defend them publicly and at great cost to the celebrity."

James Brown is one of the most successful ever US R&B artists.

Over a 39-year period, he has amassed 98 entries on Billboard's American top 40 R&B singles charts, a record unsurpassed by any other artist.

Seventeen of those songs reached number one, a feat topped only by Stevie Wonder and Louis Jordan, and equalled only by Aretha Franklin.