Kiefer Sutherland hits back over assault lawsuit
Kiefer Sutherland has insisted an Uber driver has given a "distorted account" of their alleged altercation and plans to fight his lawsuit.
Kiefer Sutherland has vowed to fight a lawsuit accusing him of choking an Uber driver and threatening to kill him.
The 24 actor was arrested in January for allegedly physically assaulting and threatening Rafael Manvelyan, and earlier this week, the driver - who primarily speaks Russian and Armenian - took legal action against him over his alleged behaviour, but the 59-year-old star has vowed to clear his name against the "distorted account" of what happened.
His spokesperson told Us Weekly: “Six months ago, Kiefer Sutherland was involved in a scary incident when he was the passenger in an Uber and the driver refused to stop the vehicle despite repeated requests to do so.
"Although the driver declined medical attention at the scene, in the months since then, Kiefer has become the victim of his consistent attempts to embellish and exaggerate his claims of distress and injury while demanding millions of dollars in compensation after he and his lawyer learned of Kiefer’s celebrity.
"Kiefer intends to fight this suit since he has absolutely no interest in rewarding someone who has crafted a distorted account in pursuit of a massive payday.”
Kiefer's comments came after more details about the alleged altercation were shared.
Documents obtained by TMZ revealed Rafael alleged Kiefer was "visibly intoxicated” when he picked him up and grew “agitated” because he couldn’t understand him.
In the lawsuit, the driver accused his famous passenger of having become “increasingly hostile, aggressive, confrontational" during the journey, claiming that the screen star hit him “with closed fists” in the head, face, neck and upper body as he drove.
Rafael, who is also suing the Designated Survivor actor for intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence, accused Kiefer of putting him into a chokehold and threatening to kill him.
He claimed he got out of the car and started running away, but Kiefer followed him down the street as he shouted “I’m going to kill you”.
Rafael confirmed parts of the alleged assault were caught on his dashcam, and also declared there were witnesses who will be able to attest to what went on during the altercation.
Rafael alleged he suffered injuries on his head, face, neck, spine and shoulder, and says the police officers could see his forehead was swollen and bruised when they arrived.
His lawyer Mitra Sabouri told TMZ in a statement: “Mr. Manvelyan is a private citizen who did not seek public attention. He filed this action to pursue legal remedies for the injuries and damages he alleges he suffered.
“Out of respect for his privacy, we are not releasing the dashcam footage, and we will allow the facts and evidence to be addressed through the court process."
Rafael is seeking unspecified damages.
