Actor’s attorney says civil case is based on a distorted account of January rideshare dispute
Summary
– Kiefer Sutherland is denying allegations made by Uber driver Rafael Manvelyan in a new lawsuit
– The driver claims Sutherland threatened, punched, and choked him during a January ride in Los Angeles
– Sutherland’s attorney says the driver refused treatment at the scene and later exaggerated the claims for money
Kiefer Sutherland is pushing back hard against a lawsuit filed by an Uber driver over an alleged incident in Los Angeles earlier this year.
The lawsuit was filed by driver Rafael Manvelyan, who claims he picked up Sutherland on January 12. According to court documents cited by TMZ, Manvelyan alleged that Sutherland appeared intoxicated during the ride.
Manvelyan said communication problems added tension to the trip because he mainly speaks Russian and Armenian. The lawsuit claims that the situation escalated as the two struggled to understand each other.
The driver alleges that Sutherland became aggressive, shouted at him, and threatened to kill him. He also claims the actor physically attacked him while he was behind the wheel.
According to Manvelyan’s filing, Sutherland allegedly punched him in the head, face, neck, and upper body. The lawsuit also claims Sutherland placed him in a chokehold during the incident.
Manvelyan said he eventually escaped from the vehicle and ran away. He alleges that Sutherland chased him down the street while continuing to make threats.
Sutherland’s side is telling a very different story. His attorney, Andrew Brettler, said the actor was involved in a troubling rideshare incident six months ago, but claimed the driver refused repeated requests to stop the vehicle.
Brettler said Manvelyan declined medical treatment at the scene. He also accused the driver of later exaggerating claims of injury and emotional distress.
According to Sutherland’s attorney, the situation changed once the driver and his legal team became aware of Sutherland’s celebrity status. Brettler claimed the compensation demand grew after that.
Sutherland intends to fight the lawsuit. His attorney said the actor has no interest in rewarding what he believes is a distorted account created in pursuit of a large payday.
The case now moves forward with two completely different versions of what happened during the January ride. Manvelyan is accusing Sutherland of a violent attack, while Sutherland’s team says the lawsuit is built around exaggerated claims.
