A city worker is suing Judge Greg Mathis, alleging the TV personality threatened him with a gun during a heated dispute over a parked dump truck blocking Mathias’ driveway.
Ricardo Acosta, an employee of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, filed the lawsuit alleging the July 2023 incident escalated outside Mathis’ home, as per a TMZ report.
Acosta claims Mathis became angry after he tried to park his car out of his garage and encountered the dump truck.
RELATED STORIES
He alleges that Mathis began shouting obscenities, demanding that the truck be moved. “Move the f***** truck out of the way.”
According to the lawsuit, Mathis then exited his car and stood behind the truck.
Due to his concern for Mathis’ safety, Acosta says he urged the Judge to move away from the vehicle, as it was parked on an incline and could potentially roll backwards.
Mathis allegedly replied, “I don’t give a f***, run me over and see what happens.”
Acosta claims Mathis then entered his home, returned with a firearm, and threatened him with it. “I will bust a cap… you wanna f*** with me?” Mathis reportedly said before he got back into his car.
Before he drove away, Mathis allegedly made another threat to the city worker. “I’ll bust a cap.”
The city worker is now suing Judge Mathis for assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress, and he is seeking damages for the alleged threats and emotional harm the encounter caused.
Mathis’ attorney, Anahita Sedaghatfar has however dismissed the claims and deems it an attempt to extort the TV judge.
“This unfiled complaint that has been conveniently publicly circulated is a last-ditch attempt by Mr. Acosta to extort my client, Judge Mathis, for financial gain,” Sedaghatfar said to TMZ.
Sedaghatfar argued Acosta’s account of the incident and said it “simply does not comport with what actually transpired.”
She also stated candidly that the claims had not been investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department due to their alleged lack of merit.
Sedaghatfar also referenced a report that was made to the LAPD by Acosta’s superior, which she said had “lots of demonstrable falsities” and claimed Mathis was the one fearful for his safety and that of his family.
“Should Mr. Acosta pursue this lawsuit, we will not only vigorously defend the case, but we will file cross-claims against Mr. Acosta for his illegal conduct and repeated defamation of my client,” Judge Mathis’ attorney said.
