Flight Attendant Sues Dodgers for In-Flight Assault & Battery; Suit Claims Carlos Perez Grabbed Flight Attendant's Head, Threatened Her With Gun

Business Wire,  June 28, 2001  

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News Editors/Legal Writers

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 28, 2001

Press Conference, Thursday, 10 a.m., LA Superior Court

111 N. Hill St., Grand Ave. Side of Building (Corner 1st & Grand)

A flight attendant on a chartered Dodger airplane returning home from San Francisco was so violently attacked by pitcher Carlos Perez and other team members that she required major spinal surgery, according to a lawsuit filed today in Los Angeles Superior Court.

The attendant, plaintiff Sandra Komine, charges Perez with forcibly shaking her head on several occasions and threatening to shoot her and the other attendants onboard. Another Dodger player, after refusing to sit in his seat, fell directly on Komine's neck and back during the plane's landing.

"I was frightened by their brutality. I was just doing my job. It was shocking that the other ball players did nothing to stop the abuse. They just sat back and laughed like it was some sort of post-game entertainment," explained Komine.

According to the suit, last year, during a July 2nd flight, Perez grabbed Komine's hair and fiercely shook her head side-to-side, telling her he could do whatever he liked to her. Later in the flight, as the plane descended, Komine asked Perez to turn off his cell phone as per FAA regulations. He refused, and grabbed at Komine and violently shook her head again. As she attempted to get Perez to release his grip, an unnamed Dodger player sat on the armrest behind her in defiance of the pilot's and Komine's request that he be properly seated and buckled for the landing. Upon touchdown, the 200+ pound ball player was propelled forward, landing on Komine's back and head.

Komine, 45, required major surgery for her injuries. A cervical disc was removed and her spine was fused backed together using bone grafted from her hip. Screws and plates were also implanted in her neck. Komine's injuries are expected to be permanent and she can no longer work as a flight attendant.

According to the suit, other attendants aboard the same flight were also assaulted by Perez. He repeatedly slammed a lavatory door into one woman's body and grinded his ring and fist into the forehead of another.

"This was the flight from hell. Dodger management knew Perez and other players were dangerous but did nothing to prevent others from getting hurt. Professional athletes, and their organizations, must be held responsible for their arrogant, aggressive and negligent actions off the playing field," said Komine's attorney, Bruce M. Brusavich of Agnew and Brusavich of Torrance.

Four months before Komine's attack, the 30-year-old Perez was arrested for drunk driving. Just two months prior to the assault on Komine, Perez was one of several Dodger Players who went into the stands after fans at Chicago's Wrigley Field. His temper has also been seen on national television when Perez used a baseball bat on a Dodger dugout. Plagued by a losing season and injuries, Perez was released from the Dodgers this May, with the Dodgers continuing to pay him $7.5 million this year as the balance of his $15.6 million contract.

-- Sandra Komine will be present at the press conference. To

schedule an interview with Komine or Brusavich, contact

Matthew Wetmore at 310/274-7406.

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