A man who was attacked by the former St. Tammany Parish sheriff has filed a lawsuit in connection with the incident.
Bobby Couvillion and his wife sued Randy Smith, Gregory Saurage, Troy Sider and interim Sheriff Bret Ibert in a civil lawsuit connected to the attack.
Ibert is named in the lawsuit through his capacity within the department and was not part of the attack, according to the lawsuit.
The attack happened Friday, May 29, at Keith Young’s Steakhouse.
According to Couvillion’s lawsuit, Saurage is accused of singling him out to Smith and inciting the attack.
Couvillion said that he and his wife were eating lunch when Smith put him in a chokehold and slammed him to the ground before punching him.
According to the lawsuit, Sider is accused of blocking bystanders from intervening.
Couvillion suffered several injuries, including damage to his teeth and a concussion. His injuries required hospitalization after the attack.
Smith pleaded guilty in June to a second-degree battery charge and a misdemeanor charge in connection with the attack.
He was given two years plus 90 days for the misdemeanor and will be on probation and be required to complete a specialty program.
Smith announced his resignation the same day he pleaded guilty.
Couvillion’s lawsuit also alleges other instances of retaliation throughout Smith’s tenure as sheriff.
Couvillion is seeking monetary damages connected to the attack.
WDSU reached out to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office for comment regarding the lawsuit.
Capitelli Law issued the following statement on behalf of the department:
“The claims arise from a personal dispute between two private individuals. The Sheriff’s Department will defend the agency against the claims and allegations in the lawsuit and will take appropriate steps to ensure it is not improperly expanded beyond those directly involved. Sheriff Ibert and the Department remain focused on moving forward and serving the community and the citizens of St. Tammany Parish.”
Read the lawsuit here.
READ MORE:Man attacked by former St. Tammany Sheriff Randy Smith files civil lawsuit
