Taco Bell executive fired over beating caught on video sues Uber driver for $5M
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JUNE 12: A sticker with the Uber logo is displayed in the window of a car on June 12, 2014 in San Francisco, California. The California Public Utilities Commission is cracking down on ride sharing companies like Lyft, Uber and Sidecar by issuing a warning that they could lose their ability to operate within the state if they are caught dropping off or picking up passengers at airports in California. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) (2014 Getty Images)
A Taco Bell executive who was fired after he was caught on video attacking an Uber driver is claiming in a lawsuit that the video was recorded without his consent.
He is suing the 23-year-old driver, Edward Caban, for $5 million.
The fired executive, 32-year-old Benjamin Golden, says that as a result of the media coverage he suffered emotional distress, humiliation and the loss of his job.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}According to the Orange County Register, Golden filed a cross-complaint last month saying Caban illegally recorded him and posted on YouTube the video of the November incident.
Golden was arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault and battery.
The now-viral video captured by a dashboard-mounted camera shows Golden repeatedly striking Caban on the trip in Costa Mesa.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}In an interview with the register, Caban’s attorney said his client was traumatized by the attack.
“It’s been a living nightmare for this young kid who has never had any altercations,” Rivers said. “He’s fearful, he can’t sleep, he just can’t get this out of his head.”
In November, the driver sued the former executive for more than $25,000 in damages. Golden is due back in court on Feb. 24.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Based on reporting by the Associated Press.