A city worker is suing Judge Greg Mathis, claiming the TV personality threatened him with a firearm after a dispute over a dump truck blocking his driveway.
According to a lawsuit filed by Ricardo Acosta, a worker for the L.A. Department of Water and Power, the incident took place in July 2023 outside Mathis’ home, per TMZ.
Acosta was working in the area when, he says, Mathis became enraged after attempting to pull his car out of the garage and encountering the parked dump truck.
Acosta claims the judge began shouting obscenities at him, demanding he ‘move the f***** truck out of the way.’
He alleges that Mathis then got out of his car and positioned himself behind the truck.
Concerned for Mathis’ safety, Acosta says he instructed him to move from behind the vehicle, fearing the truck might roll backward as it was parked on an incline.
In response, Acosta claims Mathis told him, ‘I don’t give a f***, run me over and see what happens.’
According to the lawsuit, Mathis then entered his house and returned with a gun, which he allegedly brandished while threatening Acosta.
‘I will bust a cap… you wanna f*** with me?’ Mathis reportedly said before getting back into his car and driving off, but not before making another threat: ‘I’ll bust 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 her client for financial gain.
She asserted that Acosta’s version of events was inaccurate and contradicted the facts.
‘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 told TMZ.
‘Mr. Acosta’s recitation of the ‘facts’ simply do not comport with what actually transpired during the incident, which occurred over one year ago.’
She also pointed to a report made to the LAPD by Acosta’s superior, claiming that it contained ‘many demonstrable falsities’ while acknowledging that Mathis was allegedly fearful for his own safety and the safety of his family due to the threats made by Acosta and his colleagues.
Sedaghatfar further stated that the LAPD had not investigated Acosta’s claims, highlighting their lack of merit.
She added, ‘That the LAPD did not even investigate Mr. Acosta’s claims speaks to their lack of merit.
‘Should Mr. Acosta pursue this lawsuit, we will not only vigorously defend the case, we will file cross claims against Mr. Acosta for his illegal conduct and repeated defamation of my client.’
Judge Mathis premiered in 1999 and quickly became one of the longest-running courtroom reality shows in TV history.
Hosted by former Michigan judge Mathis, the show has won multiple Daytime Emmy Awards and earned a loyal fanbase for its mix of tough justice and relatable life lessons.
