Gregory Ellis Mathis, professionally known as Judge Mathis, has been sued over a 2023 incident. The television court show arbitrator recently made headlines after a LADWP employee filed a lawsuit detailing their alleged encounter. He accused the entertainer of verbal abuse and threats to his well-being.
The plaintiff, Ricardo Acosta, recalled his terrifying encounter with Mathis in July 2023. He was working a job for the L.A. Dept. of Water and Power outside the TV judge’s home. However, the situation allegedly turned dangerous when Mathis tried to leave his home. The former District Court judge started swearing at Acosta because his dump truck blocked the driveway. The city worker claimed he yelled at him, telling him to “move the f—king truck out of the way.”
Mathis reportedly stood behind the truck while hurling insults at Acosta, who tried to de-escalate the situation. Acosta stressed that he was worried about Mathis’s safety and implored him to leave the back of the truck. He was concerned the vehicle would roll backward when put into gear because it was parked on an incline. However, his worries only infuriated the TV personality, who claimed he “did not give a f—.”
Mathis also dared the LADWP employee “to run him over and see what happens to him.” Following this verbal exchange, the Judge Mathis star ran indoors and allegedly returned with a gun. Acosta accused him of brandishing the weapon while declaring, “I will bust a cap … you wanna f— with me.” He allegedly repeated the threat before hopping into his car and driving off, per TMZ.
Judge Mathis Is Being Sued for Assault and More Charges
The plaintiff sued Mathis for multiple charges, including assault and the intentional infliction of emotional distress. He asked for an unspecified amount in damages, but the TV personality’s rep slammed his lawsuit as extortion. Mathis’s attorney, Anahita Sedaghatfar, addressed the situation in a statement, saying:
“This unfiled complaint that has been conveniently publicly circulated is a last-ditch attempt by Mr. Acosta to extort my client, Judge Mathis, for financial gain.”
Sedaghatfar argued that Acosta’s claims did not resonate with what happened during the incident. She noted that the police report filed by the LADWP employee’s superiors contained “many demonstrable falsities.” Additionally, the report showed that “Judge Mathis feared for his own safety and the safety of his family.” The legal rep stressed that Acosta and his cohorts had threatened Mathis. They also falsely imprisoned him on his private property with their truck. Sedaghatfar concluded the lawsuit had no merit, citing the LAPD’s reaction to the incident. She noted that their refusal to investigate the incident after an LADWP employee reported in 2023 spoke volumes.
The assault lawsuit came a month after the TV judge successfully reconciled with his wife, Linda Mathis. His partner filed for divorce in July after 39 years of marriage, but he refused to end their relationship. Gregory raved about their reunion in an interview, describing their near-breakup as a test from God. “I think what happens sometimes in life, God has to break you down and lift you up and put you on another mission,” he explained. Linda echoed similar sentiments, per ESSENCE, saying, “We’re standing here right now together.”
Will Judge Mathis escape the assault lawsuit like he escaped his divorce?
