Former Taco Bell exec who slapped Uber driver sues him for $5m

Remember that Taco exec who was fired after footage of him slapping an Uber driver went viral? Well, now he’s decided to sue said driver for $5 million – for filming him without permission.

Benjamin Golden claims 23-year-old Edward Caban illegally filmed him during the assault, which took place on October 30, 2014, and says Caban is responsible for any injuries he has suffered.

Golden is also asking for the video footage to be barred as evidence in his upcoming criminal trial for assault and battery, according to court documents obtained by CNBC.

Golden’s lawyer, Courtney Pilchman, told the news network on Friday that Caban, who quit working for Uber after the incident, is “quite the opportunist,” alluding to the driver’s claims of “post-traumatic stress”.

However, speaking on the former Taco Bell executive’s behalf back in November, Pilchman said:

“Mr. Golden accepts full responsibility for his actions and understands the consequences that may occur as a result.”

Under California state law, recording conversations without the agreement of all parties is illegal.

Golden is also counter-suing for damages related to “emotional distress, humiliation, anxiety, fear, pain and suffering and the loss of his job” he experienced as a result of the footage going public. It has since been viewed over 2 million times.