Matthew Fox avoids criminal charges for bus altercation
Back in late August, it was reported that Matthew Fox of Lost fame allegedly assaulted a bus driver after she refused to let him on board. After examining the case, however, authorities have decided not to charge Fox.
That doesn’t mean he’s getting away with it entirely, though. The bus driver, Heather Bormann, 49, filed a suit against the actor, claiming assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Bormann is reportedly seeking $75,000 in damages.
The incident began when Fox, who was in the Cleveland area filming I, Alex Cross, attempted to board a private bus. Bormann reportedly reminded him “three times” that the bus was private and she couldn’t let him on board, after which point Fox allegedly assaulted her, hitting her in the breast, groin, arms and legs.
“He smelled like a liquor cabinet, like a bar,” Bormann said. “I told him, ‘Sorry, buddy, this is a private party. You get off my vehicle.’ I told him three times.”
The decision to not charge Fox with assault was, according to a statement from Cleveland city spokeswoman Andrea Taylor, come to “after a thorough review of the facts.” Naturally, Bormann and her lawyer aren’t quite pleased by the news.
“That is a terrible disappointment to my client. She is disappointed in the justice system and the decision,” Bormann’s lawyer told TMZ.
