CIVIC CENTER — An actress filed a lawsuit Wednesday claiming she was accosted by a drunk and belligerent manager of trendy Midtown East eatery Beautique last June after he tried to take her cab.
La Rivers was leaving the restaurant at 8 W. 58th St. with her father and two friends after celebrating a movie premier on Father's Day weekend when manager Edward Moffett tried to jump in the passenger-side door of their waiting cab, lawyer Gloria Allred told reporters during a press conference outside New York Supreme Court.
"He started screaming angrily at Ms. Rivers, targeting her as a 'c--t' and 'b--ch,'" Allred said.
Moffett then kicked the side of cab and "assaulted Ms. Rivers with such force that she fell immediately to the ground and was knocked unconscious," according to Allred.
Rivers, who was celebrating the release of short film "Love for Passion," suffered cuts and a large contusion on her forehead, Allred said.
"I have had many trips to doctors to address my head pain and nasal pain, but there is also the heartache, and stress that comes with this as I'm unable to erase this from memory," the actress read from a prepared statement while holding back tears during the press conference Wednesday.
Moffett, who also pleaded guilty to assault in 2014, was arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault and harassment, according to court records.
He was released without bail after his arraignment and is due back in Manhattan Criminal Court on June 21 for a pre-trial hearing.
Allred said her client planned to wait until the trial concluded to bring the suit, but that it was "dragging on" and the statute of limitations was running out.
Beautique won best new restaurant at the Concierge Choice Award in 2014.
Its space "features a sleek and romantic decor that channels the spirit of Coco Chanel," according to the website, and celebrities including Leonardo DiCaprio and Uma Thurman have dined there.
A representative of the restaurant declined to comment when reached by phone.
Moffett's lawyer did not return an immediate request for comment.
