Kanye West Charged In Alleged Scuffle With Paparazzo At LAX
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The Los Angeles City Attorney's office Friday filed two misdemeanor counts against Rapper Kanye West in connection with an alleged scuffle with a cameraman at Los Angeles International Airport.
The 36-year-old was charged with criminal battery and attempted grand theft stemming from the July 19, incident, according to authorities.
"We are very happy the LA City Attorney was not intimidated by Kanye's fame and fortune and going to hold him to the same standard anyone else who's not a celebrity would be held to," Attorney Gloria Allred said.
Video caught the alleged run-in between West and videographer Daniel Ramos.
On tape, Ramos can be heard asking West why they've been told not to talk to him while West accuses Ramos of trying to provoke him for money. Ramos claims that West lunged at him.
"I backed away and told him twice, 'I don't want to fight you,'" Ramos said in a news conference.
Since the incident, Ramos filed a suit against West, alleging assault, battery, negligence and interference with his civil rights.
"All my client did was exercise right of free speech. If Kanye West did not like the question, he could exercise his right and not respond," Allred said. "What he could not do was physically attack as a response to my client's exercise."
West is scheduled to be arraigned on Oct. 10.
