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Dave Chappelle Sued By Christian Englander, Who Threw A Banana Peel At Him
The man who infamously threw a banana peel at Dave Chappelle on stage in 2015 says he he was hit by security.
He's a-peel-ing his case.
The man who infamously threw a banana peel at Dave Chappelle on stage in 2015 is now suing the comedian, claiming he was hit by security while being restrained.
Christian Englander, 33, alleges Chappelle’s bodyguard struck him “without provocation” twice in the face while he was getting dragged out of the Santa Fe show, the New Mexican in Santa Fe, N.M. reported.
In the lawsuit, filed in a New Mexico district court, Englander alleges the assault happened “under the clear direction” of Chappelle.
“Chappelle had a duty to plaintiff to adequately and properly hire, train, supervise and discipline his security personnel and other employees and agents to ensure that members of the public were not subjected to assault, battery or excessive use of force,” the lawsuit says.
Englander says he suffered physical and emotional pain and suffering, unspecified non-medical expenses, lost income and "the loss of enjoyment of life."
He’s looking for punitive and other damages from Chappelle “in such amount as may be found appropriate.”
The peel incident made national headlines, and Chappelle famously discussed it in his Netflix special "Deep in the Heart of Texas," calling it “Bananagate.”
In the special, Chappelle said the crime was “premeditated” based on the brown color of the peel, and he suggested the toss was racially charged. Englander was arrested on charges of battery and disorderly conduct, but he wasn’t prosecuted because Chappelle didn’t participate in the prosecution, The Associated Press reported.
At the time, Englander went on the local news and apologized, saying it wasn't racially motivated and that he was just upset at how Chappelle was talking to a friend of his at the show.
In a police interview obtained by KRQE-TV in Albuquerque, Englander said he was offended because Chappelle made fun of his friend.
"Maybe you shouldn't go to comedy shows anymore dude," an officer tells him.
In the video, Englander describes himself as a "joker" and says that Chappelle is a king.
According to the Associated Press, Englander's claim of assault wasn't mentioned in the police report. His lawyer said it would have been if Englander went to trial. Chappelle's publicist has not commented on the lawsuit.
[Photo: Getty]
