November 24, 2008

AUGUSTA, Ga.---Rev. Al Sharpton was in town today handing out Thanksgiving turkeys in the stead of his own "personal Godfather", the late James Brown.

Sharpton says Augusta will be seeing a lot more of him in the future. He says the James Brown estate battle has gone on too long. This Christmas will mark two years since Brown's death. Rev. Sharpton fears the Godfather's legacy may be damaged by the length court battles.

"It's very personal," Sharpton told News 12. "I think it's a disgrace, I think it's a civil rights violation, and when the new administration comes in I intend to bring it to the attorney general of the United States. James Brown ought to be in this country like Elvis Presley is, but it is being blocked by some people that feel they can do to him in death, what they did to him in life...and I don't intend to be silent. He helped raise me to be who I am, and I'm going to use that voice on his behalf, because he can't speak for himself."

Sharpton's comments come as News 12 learns a motion asking the judge to throw Brown's three former trustees in jail is off the table for now.