A city worker is suing Judge Greg Mathis, alleging the TV personality threatened him with a firearm after a dispute over a dump truck blocking his driveway.
According to a lawsuit filed by Los Angeles Department of Water and Power worker Ricardo Acosta, the incident occurred in July 2023 outside Mathis’ home, according to TMZ.
Acosta was working in the area when, he says, Mathis became enraged after trying to get his car out of the garage and coming across the parked dump truck.
Acosta claims the judge began yelling obscenities at him, demanding he “get the damn truck out of the way.”
He alleges that Mathis then got out of his car and stood behind the truck.
Concerned for Mathis’ safety, Acosta says he told him to move from behind the vehicle, fearing the truck might roll back since it was parked on a slope.
A city worker is suing Judge Greg Mathis, alleging the TV personality threatened him with a firearm after a dispute over a dump truck blocking his driveway.
According to a lawsuit filed by Los Angeles Department of Water and Power worker Ricardo Acosta, the incident occurred in July 2023 outside Mathis’ home, according to TMZ.
In response, Acosta claims Mathis told him, “I don’t give a damn, run me over and see what happens.”
According to the lawsuit, Mathis then entered his home and returned with a gun, which he allegedly brandished while threatening Acosta.
‘I’m going to bust a cap… do you want to fuck with me?’ Mathis reportedly said before getting back into his car and driving off, but not before issuing another threat: “I’m going to break a cap.”
Acosta is suing Mathis for assault and intentional infliction of emotional distress, seeking damages for the alleged threats and distress caused by the incident.
In response to the lawsuit, Mathis’ attorney, Anahita Sedaghatfar, called the claims an attempt to extort money from her client.
He stated that Acosta’s version of events was inaccurate and contradicted the facts.
“This unfiled complaint that has conveniently been circulated publicly is a latest attempt by Mr. Acosta to extort my client, Judge Mathis, for financial gain,” Sedaghatfar told TMZ.
‘Mister. Acosta’s listing of the ‘facts’ simply does not match what actually occurred during the incident, which occurred more than a year ago.
Acosta was working in the area when, he says, Mathis became enraged after trying to get his car out of the garage and coming across the parked dump truck.
Acosta claims the judge began yelling obscenities at him, demanding he “get the damn truck out of the way.”
According to the lawsuit, Mathis then entered his home and returned with a gun, which he allegedly brandished while threatening Acosta.
He also pointed to a report submitted to the LAPD by Acosta’s superior, stating that it contained “many demonstrable falsehoods” while acknowledging that Mathis allegedly feared for his own safety and the safety of his family due to threats made by Acosta and his colleagues. . .
Sedaghatfar further claimed that the Los Angeles police had not investigated Acosta’s claims, highlighting their baselessness.
He added: ‘The fact that the Los Angeles police have not even investigated Mr. Acosta’s claims speaks to their lack of foundation.
“If Mr. Acosta files this lawsuit, we will not only vigorously defend the case, but we will also file cross-claims against Mr. Acosta for his unlawful conduct and repeated defamation of my client.”
Judge Mathis premiered in 1999 and quickly became one of the longest-running courtroom reality shows in television history.
Hosted by former Michigan judge Mathis, the show won multiple Daytime Emmy Awards and earned a loyal fan base for its combination of tough justice and relatable life lessons.