Woman Sues House of Ink Tattoo Artist for Punching Her in the Face

The tattoo parlor from the Oxygen channel’s “Tattoos After Dark” television series and one of its artists are being sued by a woman who alleges she was assaulted outside the Venice establishment last year.

Corey Fortenberry filed the lawsuit Tuesday against Asaru Mushavu and the House of Ink, alleging assault, battery, negligent hiring, negligent supervision and general negligence. She seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages.

Mushavu could not be immediately reached, and a man who answered the phone at the House of Ink said he had no comment.

Fortenberry alleges she and a female friend were leaving the Sidewalk Cafe in Venice about 5 p.m. on April 14, 2013, when her companion became sick outside the tattoo parlor. Mushavu complained about the woman becoming ill and asked who was going to clean up after her, according to the suit.

Then suit alleges Fortenberry told Mushavu she would take care of the cleanup, but he “suddenly punched Ms. Fortenberry for no reason.” He later “concocted an absurd story that he feared for his safety and that he was defending himself when he punched a defenseless woman half his size in the face,” the suit says.

Fortenberry still has a bruise on her face that her doctor says is a hematoma, according to her lawsuit.

--City News Service

PHOTO Patch file photo.