COSTA MESA, Calif. (Nov. 3, 2015) — A California man captured on video attacking an Uber driver has been charged with assault and battery.
Benjamin Golden of Newport Beach also was charged Tuesday with assault on a public transportation property and battery on a public transit employee with injury.
He faces up to a year in jail and a $10,000 fine if convicted of four misdemeanor charges.
Golden is out of jail and couldn’t be reached for comment.
Police say Golden, a brand manager for Taco Bell, was ordered out of the car on Friday in Costa Mesa because he was too drunk to give directions.
Police say a dashboard camera video shows Golden slapping the driver, grabbing his hair and slamming his head against a window until the man pepper-sprayed him.
Taco Bell has fired Golden.
