Judge Mathis is facing a lawsuit from a city worker, Ricardo Acosta, who claims that the TV judge threatened him with a gun during a confrontation in July 2023. According to Acosta’s lawsuit, he was working for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) outside Mathis’ home when the incident occurred. Acosta alleges that Mathis became enraged when a dump truck blocked his driveway and started yelling expletives at him to move the truck.
Acosta says that he advised Mathis to move from behind the truck for safety reasons, as it was parked on an incline and could potentially roll backward. In response, Mathis allegedly told him to “run him over” and then went inside his house, returning with a gun. Acosta claims that Mathis brandished the firearm and threatened to “bust a cap” if he continued to “f*** with” him. After the threat, Mathis reportedly drove off.
Acosta is suing Mathis for assault and emotional distress, seeking damages for the alleged incident.
Mathis’ attorney, Anahita Sedaghatfar, has denied the allegations, calling the lawsuit an attempt by Acosta to extort Mathis for financial gain. She claims that Acosta’s version of events is inaccurate and suggests that the LAPD did not investigate the claims due to their lack of merit. Sedaghatfar also mentioned that Judge Mathis had been concerned for his own safety and that of his family during the incident. Should the case proceed, Mathis’ legal team intends to vigorously defend him and file counterclaims against Acosta.
