The Broward State Attorney's Office has filed formal charges against William Levy, following just over a month since the incident involving the Cuban actor at a restaurant in Florida.
The interpreter will be summoned in the coming days to appear before a court.
According to revealed by journalist Alex Rodríguez on the program ¡Siéntese Quien Pueda!, from the network Univision, the Prosecutor's Office filed charges for “misdemeanors for disorder and intoxication in a public place and trespassing on occupied property.”
Authorities indicate that during the incident, which took place at the "Baires Grill" restaurant located in Weston, Levy was under the influence of alcohol and that his behavior after refusing to leave the premises "affected the business operations."
Rodríguez also detailed that the actor is cooperating with the process but has requested confidentiality regarding sensitive aspects of his personal life and medical history.
"They request that their bank account information be confidential and that, in the event that they undergo tests related to substance abuse or sexually transmitted diseases, all records remain confidential, as well as anything related to their children," he explained.
The communicator added that one of the waitresses at the restaurant felt assaulted by Levy during the incident, and that she is willing to file a formal complaint and cooperate with the Prosecutor's Office.
The restaurant, however, has not filed any complaints.
The incident occurred on the night of April 14 when Levy went to the restaurant with the parents of his son's friends.
Initially, it was speculated that the conflict arose because the actor refused to pay the bill, but after his release, he provided a different account.
"We were parents of the team having a drink when suddenly a discussion started with someone else… I got caught in the middle […] and well, the one who ended up being handcuffed was me," the actor declared previously to the same television network.
According to unconfirmed reports, Levy allegedly pushed an employee of the establishment while talking with his manager, which resulted in his expulsion from the venue. However, the actor denied having acted violently.
"I was trying to hold on the whole time [...]. In the end, I was the one who ended up handcuffed," he insisted.
Although he did not provide specific details about the charges, he did refer to the transfer to private property: "They had to take me for a reason," he said.
The actor was released after paying a $500 bail.
Upon leaving jail, William Levy denied having pushed anyone or refused to pay the bill.
According to statements made to Jordi Martín for the show El Gordo y la Flaca, from Univision, Levy claimed that his friend argued with the restaurant staff over what he considered an excessive bill.
He claims that he tried to calm the situation, but suddenly, the police arrived and arrested him, which makes him suspect that he may have fallen victim to a "setup."
In a 911 call recorded by a restaurant employee, it was reported that Levy and his companion refused to pay the bill, even after receiving a discount, and were engaged in a heated argument with another customer.
As of the time of this report, the date of the actor's next court appearance is still unknown.
Frequently asked questions about the William Levy case and the incident at the restaurant
What charges is William Levy facing after the incident at the restaurant?
William Levy faces charges for misdemeanor offenses related to disorderly conduct and public intoxication, as well as trespassing on an occupied property. These charges stem from an altercation that took place at the Baires Grill restaurant in Weston, Florida, where he is accused of causing a disturbance while under the influence of alcohol.
What happened on the night of the incident at Baires Grill restaurant?
The incident occurred when William Levy was at the restaurant with his son's friends' parents. It was reported that Levy and his companion refused to pay the bill, which sparked a dispute with the restaurant staff. According to the actor, he tried to calm the situation, but ended up being handcuffed. Other reports mention that Levy pushed an employee, although he denies this.
How has William Levy responded to the accusations against him?
William Levy has declared himself innocent of the charges against him. Through his lawyer, he submitted a written plea of not guilty and requested a jury trial. Levy has stated that the incident was a misunderstanding and that he was trying to mediate a tense situation at the restaurant.
When will William Levy's next court hearing take place?
Until now, the exact date of William Levy's next court hearing has not been announced. A preliminary hearing is expected to take place in the coming weeks, where more details about the case may be presented.
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