Shia LaBeouf Sued by Bartender in Bowling-Alley Tirade

Following a public incident involving swearing and yelling at a bartender in a bowling alley last month, Shia LaBeouf is now being sued.

The incident arose when the bartender, David Bernstein of Jerry’s Famous Deli, which is adjacent to the Pinz Bowling Center in Los Angeles, refused to serve LaBeouf a drink, allegedly because the actor was already too intoxicated. LaBeouf was caught on camera screaming at the bowling-alley employee, calling him a “f—ing racist.”

Now, the employee, who believes LaBeouf was on the verge of using physical violence, is suing the star for assault and defamation. “[LaBeouf] yelled at plaintiff and appeared ready to physically confront him after plaintiff refused to serve him a drink because [LaBeouf] appeared to be intoxicated,” Bernstein’s lawyer said in a statement.

The lawsuit states that Bernstein “experienced significant emotional distress, anxiety and fear” after the altercation.

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After first slamming his fist on the bar counter, LaBeouf “quickly proceeded around the corner of the bar and entered the bartender well area… while yelling at the top of his lungs and appeared ready to physically confront Mr. Bernstein,” the lawsuit states. Adding that Bernstein was “fearful of an imminent attack” and that he used a Grey Goose vodka bottle to deter the actor.

The actions “reflected an intention to commit imminent physical violence upon Mr. Bernstein,” states the claim. Bernstein experienced “significant emotional distress, anxiety and fear” as a result.

The claim states that LaBeouf yelled that Bernstein was a “f—ing racist bitch” upon exiting the establishment. “Wake up, this mother f—er is a racist,” the lawsuit quotes LaBeouf as saying.

The claim states that LaBeouf’s “racist” claims, made in front of a large crowd, were “recklessly rendered,” as the manager has 32 years of experience at Jerry’s Famous Deli and is “beloved” by customers. 

The claim added that Bernstein has since been exposed to “significant embarrassment and ridicule” since video of the incident has been published and that Bernstein is now alluded to as “the racist bartender” by fans of the actor online.

The incident is one of several public scuffles of late, including LaBeouf’s January arrest in New York City after an altercation during his anti-Trump performance art project.