Uber Attacker Caught On Video Sues Driver for Taping Him

A Newport Beach executive, whose drunken attack on an Uber driver was caught on video, is now suing the driver.

In a lawsuit filed in Orange County Superior Court this week, Benjamin Golden is counter suing Uber Driver Edward Caban for $5 million, alleging Caban is to blame for any injuries he suffered during the attack.

Golden is facing charges for slapping and punching Caban in November after the driver cut the ride short asking Golden to get out of the car for being too intoxicated to give directions.

As first reported by NBC News, Golden accuses Caban of illegally recording the confrontation.

He also characterizes Caban as being opportunistic for making the video public.

The suit further suggests the Uber Driver bears responsibility for allowing a drunken Golden into his car in the first place. It was “apparent to Mr. Caban that Mr. Golden was intoxicated when he picked him up, yet he continued to allow Mr. Golden inside his vehicle,” NBC quotes from the suit.

The stance is an about face face from the contrition Golden sounded when the video went viral in November.

At the time, Golden said he didn’t remember any of what happened, but he acknowledged what he did.

“I want to apologize. I wasn’t in the right state,” he said. “I’d like him to know that that’s not me and that I’m sincerely sorry.”

Caban didn’t buy it.

“I don’t believe he is genuinely remorseful for his actions,” Caban said at the time. “Mr. Golden made the choices that led him to the back of my car, and he made the choice to assault me when I declared the ride to be over. If I had not recorded the attack on my dash cam I do not believe he would be taking the same position he seems to be taking today. Would he be taking these actions if there hadn’t been criminal charges and my lawsuit against him?”

The incident took an immediate toll on Golden who was fired by Taco Bell where he worked as an advertising executive. He was also charged with misdemeanor counts of assault, battery, battery on a public transit employee with injury and assault on public transportation property. He faces up to a year in jail or a $10,000 fine if convicted.

On the video, Golden can be seen in the back seat of the car with the door open, but he leans forward and repeatedly hits the driver in the head, then grabs him by the hair and tries to slam his head into the driver’s side door window.

City News Service contributed to this report.