Newswatch

Singer disputes reports’ accuracy

Bryan Abrams

Bryan Abrams of the 1990s R&B group Color Me Badd says news reports about his arrest in Honolulu last week are "highly exaggerated and incorrect."

Abrams said in a new release Monday that he did not assault or abuse his wife, as stated in some media reports.

Abrams, 40, was arrested July 20 in Waikiki following a fight with his wife, police said. Color Me Badd members performed in a concert here on July 17.

"I’ve learned from past mistakes and would never lay hands on my wife in anger," said Abrams, who was arrested in 2008 for domestic abuse and assault and battery for allegedly abusing his girlfriend.

Honolulu police said Abrams was arrested last week after he got into an argument with wife Kimberly and threw her across a room. Abrams was charged with harassment and released on his own recognizance.

Abrams said the family was trying to round up two toddlers, his mother-in-law and their belongings for the flight home. "We were running late, feeling pressured," he said. "We had a disagreement. And, I am a singer — I can get loud. But I did not strike Kim."

The singer apologized to hotel staff and guests, and to his fans, for the incident.

Fisherman admits sex harassment

A fisherman pleaded guilty to a federal sexual harassment charge involving an observer from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries, NOAA announced yesterday.

Tito Nava was the first mate of fishing vessel Captain Millions IV. The Philippine national admitted to sexually harassing a female NOAA observer aboard the fishing vessel from April 15 to May 8, a NOAA news release said.

Nava was working as a crewman in Hawaii at the time. He was sentenced to his time served of 12 days in federal prison, and will be deported back to the Philippines.