Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Former Taco Bell Exec Sues Uber Driver He Attacked For $5 Million
The Taco Bell exec who got canned from his job after he was caught on video drunkenly attacking his Uber driver is suing the driver for $5 million.
In the suit, Benjamin Golden, 32, accuses Uber driver Edward Caban of illegally recording the Oct. 30 beating on his dashcam in Newport Beach, according to CNBC. Furthermore, Golden argues that he shouldn't be to blame for the injuries Caban suffered after the attack. Golden's complaint was filed on Dec. 4, but CNBC says they are the first media outlet to report on the lawsuit.
This comes soon after the beleaguered Golden cried on camera in a CBS L.A. interview, saying he had no recollection of what happened that night, and was "sincerely sorry" for what he had done. "I'm ashamed to say I got to that point. I don't normally do that and this is a situation where I did," Golden admits in the interview. "I handled it wrong in a wrong way. I crossed the line. It was caught on camera. I have to face it."
In the days leading up to that interview, Caban filed a civil lawsuit against Golden for assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent infliction of emotional distress. Taco Bell fired Golden as the company's Mobile Experience & Innovation Lead, with a spokesperson saying, "Given the behavior of the individual, it is clear he can no longer work for us."
Support for LAist comes from
In the dashcam video, Caban is driving a visibly drunk Golden. At one point, Caban pulls over and tells Golden that Golden's not giving him directions and that he needs to get out of his car. Golden refuses to and responds by smacking Caban several times in the head and face and grabbing his hair, all while cursing at him. Caban then maces him. At the time of the attack, police also arrested Golden and he was later charged with multiple misdemeanor charges of assault and battery.
Golden's lawyer Courtney Pilchman told CNBC that she's trying to get the video thrown out as evidence in the criminal case against Golden. The suit says that it's against California state law to record someone without their consent. Caban's attorney Rivers Morrell III told CNBC Golden's claims are "totally bogus," and that state law applies to audio recordings, not video recordings.
Golden also says since the video went viral, he's since suffered from emotional distress and anxiety. He also blames Caban for picking up Golden as a passenger even though it was "apparent" that Golden was "intoxicated."
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars. -
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
Best of LAist