There has been no shortage of attention given to Costume Institute Gala this year, but not all of it had to do with the actual ball. At an after party at the Mercer Hotel’s Submercer Bar, “24” star Kiefer Sutherland allegedly struck Proenza Schouler designer Jack McCollough in the face in the early morning hours last Tuesday. Supposedly the reason for the altercation was that McCollough pushed Brooke Shields, with whom Sutherland was speaking at the time.
Now comes news that Sutherland has been formally charged with the misdemeanor charge of third-degree assault and issued a desk summons. A court date has not been set. Unfortunately for Sutherland, all reports are pointing to no wrongdoings on the part of McCollough who has been described by many as docile.
The designer’s rep noted that “there was no altercation,” adding that “this was a violent assault, pure and simple.”
Further, while Brooke Shields has not publicly commented on the situation (though according to the New York Post she has an appointment to speak with the police), her publicist told TMZ that McCollough did absolutely nothing to her.
It does not bode well for Sutherland that he is currently on parole in Los Angeles for a 2007 DUI charge, for which he spent 48 days in jail. The actor could face jail time as a result of the charges pressed by McCollough.
