'Veronica' Star In Brouhaha

Wallace Langham, 34, an actor on the TV sitcom Veronica's Closet, who is accused of a hate crime for allegedly attacking a gay reporter, has agreed to a six-figure settlement with the man, sources close to the case said Wednesday.

But prosecutors say they will oppose the deal and hope to take the case to trial.

In Veronica's Closet, Langham plays Josh, a character with an ambiguous sexual orientation. The actor is accused of beating a 35-year-old stringer for the tabloid newspaper Star during an altercation last Sept. 7. The reporter has not been publicly named.

Langham, who is charged with one count of misdemeanor battery and one count of committing a hate crime, asked a judge to dismiss the case because he has agreed to a civil settlement with the alleged victim.

Hayley Sumner, Langham's publicist, said the two sides have not signed a settlement, but have agreed to end the case for an undisclosed amount of money and other terms. She said the settlement would be subject to approval by the judge and would depend on a dismissal of the criminal charges. The judge is to
make his ruling next week.

Deputy City Attorney Michael Pizzuti, who is prosecuting the case, said he would oppose the settlement and ask the judge to allow the criminal case to go forward.

"We're objecting because with certain types of crimes, we feel it's inappropriate to settle via a civil compromise," Pizzuti said. "This is one of those crimes, because the seriousness of the beating that was inflicted on the victim and because a hate crime has been alleged as well."

Pizzuti said the victim suffered injuries to his back, ribs, and jaw in the attack, which came during an altercation in a Hollywood market. The man said he was beaten and kicked by Langham after looking at tattoos on the arms and midriff of the actor's girlfriend. He said Langham made anti-gay slurs.

Langham contends he was provoked and denied making anti-gay slurs.