A brand new lawsuit has positioned Kiefer Sutherland on the heart of great allegations months after his January arrest in Los Angeles.
An Uber driver claims the actor turned violent throughout a late-night experience, leaving him injured and fearing for his security.
The authorized submitting paints a troubling image of an encounter that allegedly escalated from confusion and frustration into threats, bodily violence, and police involvement.
In keeping with court docket paperwork obtained by the Daily Mail, Uber driver Rafael Manvelyan has filed a lawsuit in opposition to Sutherland, accusing him of assault and battery following an incident that allegedly occurred on January 12.
The actor, finest recognized for his position as Jack Bauer within the hit collection “24,” was detained by police that very same day on suspicion of creating prison threats.
The lawsuit claims Sutherland entered Manvelyan’s automobile close to the intersection of Sundown Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue earlier than the scenario deteriorated in the course of the experience.
Manvelyan alleges that he suffered accidents to his head, face, neck, backbone, and shoulder on account of the confrontation.
He’s in search of damages for the bodily and emotional hurt he claims to have skilled.
Driver Particulars Disturbing Encounter
The lawsuit comprises a collection of allegations describing Kiefer Sutherland’s habits earlier than and in the course of the experience.
In keeping with Manvelyan, the actor appeared “visibly intoxicated” when he entered the automobile and allegedly wanted help from one other particular person to get inside.
The driving force, whose main languages are Russian and Armenian, claims communication difficulties shortly created rigidity between them. Court docket paperwork allege Sutherland turned “agitated” when he struggled to know him.
The submitting additional states that Sutherland allegedly grew “more and more hostile, aggressive, confrontational” in the course of the journey whereas “yelling and being verbally abusive.”
Claims Of Bodily Violence And Loss of life Threats
Manvelyan claims the confrontation turned bodily whereas he was nonetheless behind the wheel. In keeping with the lawsuit, Sutherland allegedly “deliberately attacked” him and “repeatedly struck” him within the “head, face, neck and higher physique with closed fists.”
The lawsuit additionally alleges that the actor positioned the motive force in a “chokehold” and made threats in opposition to his life.
After exiting the automobile, Manvelyan claims Sutherland adopted him down the road whereas yelling, “I’m going to kill you.”
The driving force additional alleges that his dashcam captured parts of the incident and that witnesses have been current throughout a minimum of a part of the confrontation.
He additionally claims officers who arrived on the scene noticed bruising and swelling on his brow.
Kiefer Sutherland’s Accuser Speaks By Lawyer
Whereas Manvelyan has not spoken publicly in regards to the allegations himself, his lawyer, Mitra Sabouri, issued an announcement explaining why the lawsuit was filed.
Sabouri instructed the Day by day Mail, “Mr. Manvelyan is a non-public citizen who didn’t search public consideration. He filed this motion to pursue authorized treatments for the accidents and damages he alleges he suffered.”
She additionally addressed the existence of alleged video proof, saying, “Out of respect for his privateness, we’re not releasing the dashcam footage, and we are going to enable the info and proof to be addressed by means of the court docket course of.”
The lawyer’s feedback recommend that any footage or further proof related to the case could emerge by means of authorized proceedings relatively than by means of the media.
As of now, the allegations stay claims made in a civil lawsuit and haven’t been confirmed in court docket.
Kiefer Sutherland’s Previous Authorized Troubles Return To The Highlight
The lawsuit has renewed consideration on a number of earlier authorized incidents involving Sutherland.
In 2007, the actor pleaded no contest to driving underneath the affect after failing a subject sobriety check. As a result of he had already been convicted of DUI in 2004, he was sentenced to 48 days in jail.
Two years later, Sutherland was arrested after an altercation involving designer Jack McCollough following a fundraising occasion at New York Metropolis’s Metropolitan Museum of Artwork. These prices have been finally dropped after the actor publicly apologized.
His historical past with alcohol has additionally been a subject he beforehand addressed himself.
Talking to PEOPLE in 2016, Sutherland mirrored on his relationship with consuming and the implications that generally adopted.
“I used to be by no means the man, if one thing was flawed in my life or one thing wasn’t proper, I didn’t go drown my sorrows,” he mentioned.
The actor continued, “One of many issues I like to do is exit with my mates and inform tales and have a bunch of drinks…”
He later provided an much more candid evaluation of his previous experiences.
“I may look again on my life and let you know very squarely that the one unhealthy issues which have ever occurred to me in my life have been as a result of I wish to go to bars and have drinks with my mates,” Sutherland mentioned.
He added, “I’d be mendacity if I instructed you that there weren’t moments the place I felt I let it get away from me.”
