Overview
- The lawsuit filed publicly on June 12 names Rafael Manvelyan as plaintiff and accuses Kiefer Sutherland of assault, battery, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
- Manvelyan's complaint says the January 12 rideshare encounter in Hollywood began after a communication problem and that Sutherland was visibly intoxicated and grew hostile during the trip.
- The filing alleges repeated punches, a chokehold, threats to kill and injuries to the head, neck, shoulder and spine, and states officers saw forehead bruising at the scene.
- Sutherland's lawyer has denied the account, called the suit a bid for a large settlement and said Sutherland will fight the claims; police previously arrested Sutherland in January and investigated criminal threats.
- Manvelyan's lawyers say the driver's dashcam captured portions of the incident but that the footage will not be released publicly and will be handled through the court process.