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.
Pinkberry Founder May Have Assaulted Transient Because of a "sexually explicit tattoo"
Young Lee, one of the founders of the popular Pinkberry froyo chain was arrested Monday on an outstanding warrant stemming from allegations he assaulted a transient with a tire iron. A few details have emerged about the alleged attack, including that some racy body ink on the homeless man may have raised Lee's ire.
The alleged assault took place on June 15, 2011 on the Vermont off-ramp of the 101 Freeway, according to City News Service. While stopped at the light, Lee was approached by the homeless man, who was panhandling.
Prosecutors say Lee was offended by the transient's sexually explicit tattoo. It is not clear what the tattoo depicted, or why specifically it provoked Lee, but the district attorney's office describes Lee as having felt disrespected by the tattoo. Consequently, Lee and an unidentified accomplice in the vehicle allegedly chased the man and "beat him down" with a tire iron.
In the attack, the transient suffered cuts to his head and a broken left forearm.
Support for LAist comes from
Lee, who was convicted in 2001 of felony possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor carrying a loaded firearm, faces up to seven years in state prison if convicted, according to the District Attorney's Office. He severed his relationship with Pinkberry in 2010.
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
-
The critical findings are part of long-awaited after-action report was released Thursday. It contains recommendations for increasing emergency staffing and updating old systems. -
Diving has changed, mountain biking has been added. Here's where to watch the Olympics in person in 2028. -
'A Great Day in the Stoke' is a free, daylong event in Orange County billed as 'the largest gathering of Black surfers in history.' The fourth annual festival is set for Saturday in Huntington Beach. -
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk. -
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain. -
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility.
Best of LAist