Braxton 'tribute act' faces trial

A US entertainer has been jailed in Suriname, South America, after being accused of trying to pass herself as singer Toni Braxton at a concert.

Trina Johnson-Finn was booed off stage in Paramaribo in March and pelted with rubbish when the huge crowd realised she was not the award-winning artist.

She is in custody awaiting her fraud trial which begins on 26 May.

Ms Johnson-Finn, 40, says she did not know she was advertised as the real Braxton and blames the gig's promoter.

Prosecutors say the Las Vegas-based singer "deliberately presented herself" as Braxton, who is best known for her 1996 hit Un-Break My Heart.

'Private party'

But Ms Johnson-Finn's husband, Raymond Finn, told the Associated Press (AP) news agency that she often impersonated singing stars as a "tribute artist".

Mr Finn said his wife had been duped by promoter Angel Ventura, of Events for Suriname.

He said Mr Ventura, who was arrested by police on Monday, had hired his wife to perform a tribute act at a private party.

Mr Finn said he had since found out that Mr Ventura had charged people up to $53 (£35) for a ticket for the concert.

But he had promoted Ms Johnson-Finn as the real Toni Braxton without her knowledge, Mr Finn added.

He said his wife had been arrested and put in custody "to appease public anger".

"Trina's been isolated there for two months," he said.

"She doesn't understand why she's being used as a scapegoat."

Ms Johnson-Finn's lawyer Kathleen Brandon said: "She has done no wrong so it is difficult for her to spend so much time in jail to await the start of the trial."

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