Former hand surgeon Michael Brown accused of choking flight attendant

Former hand surgeon Michael Brown exits the courtroom for the 309th District Court on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011, in Houston. Brown appeared in court regarding a civil dispute with Rachel Brown, his fourth wife, who is currently engaged in ongoing divorce proceedings with Brown. ( Andrew Richardson / Houston Chronicle ) less Former hand surgeon Michael Brown exits the courtroom for the 309th District Court on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011, in Houston. Brown appeared in court regarding a civil dispute with Rachel Brown, his fourth wife, ... more Photo: Andrew Richardson, Staff Photo: Andrew Richardson, Staff Image 1 of / 14 Caption Close Former hand surgeon Michael Brown accused of choking flight attendant 1 / 14 Back to Gallery

Former Houston hand surgeon Michael Brown had a "negative reaction" after drinking alcohol and taking an insomnia medication that led him to choke a flight attendant and threaten to strip naked on a January flight from London to Miami, his lawyer said Wednesday.

"He was on medication at the time. He was served a couple of drinks and had a negative reaction to it," said Brown's attorney, Robert Hantman. "After the alleged incident, he went to sleep and slept the whole way back like a baby."

An hour in to a Jan. 2 flight from London to Miami, Brown grabbed a flight attendant, who is not named in a criminal complaint, by her forearm and began making "rude sexual comments" to her, according to court records.

After pulling away and informing a supervisor, she tried to serve Brown his in-flight meal but he stood up, spilling the food, and put his hands around her neck and began to squeeze, according to the complaint. As Brown squeezed, court records show, he asked the flight attendant if she was a strong woman.

When another flight attendant intervened, Brown grabbed both of the women around their necks using his forearms.

'Touchy feely'

According to court documents, Brown then said he was going to get naked in front of all of the passengers on the British Airways flight and then began making "rude sexual comments" about what he was going to do to both women.

After the flight crew calmed Brown down, he took his seat and slept for the rest of the flight.

When the flight landed and he was arrested, he told police he did not remember the incident on the flight.

"He later stated that he is a 'touchy feely' person but not violent, and that he may have touched a flight attendant but not in a violent or inappropriate way," according to the complaint.

Hantman said Brown is on Restoril, an insomnia medication "to contain his frustration and his disappointment and his anguish over not being able to see the children."

Brown was acquitted of beating his fourth wife, Rachel Brown, in 2011 and continues to fight in court for custody of his children.

"It's a shame," Hantman said. "A lot of this is a result of him not being able to see his children and the stress and the tension of going through this horrendous divorce."

6 months if convicted

Brown is charged with intimidating and interfering with the duties of a flight attendant, a federal offense. He faces six months behind bars if convicted.

Hantman said the allegations were serious, but noted that Brown did not have to be restrained and the charges are indicative of a minor disruption.

"There's no assault, no battery. It's just interference with a flight attendant, that's all he was charged with it," Hantman said.

After founding the Brown Hand Center, a national chain of carpel tunnel clinics, the Houston doctor lost his medical license in 2006 after testing positive for cocaine use, but kept control of the multimillion-dollar business.

Houstonians were riveted by testimony about Brown's exploits and wealth during the 2011 trial.