Man Claims Scottie Pippen Whaled on Him

LOS ANGELES (CN) - Scottie Pippen beat the hell out of a man who asked for a photo, and kept beating him after he was unconscious, the man claims in a $4 million lawsuit.

Camran Shafighi claims the retired NBA star subjected him to a "shockingly brutal and unjustified" attack outside a Malibu restaurant.

In his Superior Court complaint, Shafighi, who calls himself a "self-made" luxury car dealer, says he spotted Pippen on June 23 at Nobu restaurant, a celebrity hangout.

Shafighi wanted a photograph of Pippen for his girlfriend's 12-year-old son. He claims he asked to pose with Pippen for a photo twice - once when the athlete was dining with friends, and later outside.

Pippen refused on the first occasion, so Shafighi says he tried again outside, believing Pippen had refused because he dining with friends.

Turns out Shafighi was wrong.

The complaint states: "Upon approaching defendant Pippen outside Nobu near the valet stand and requesting another photo, defendant spit in Mr. Shafighi's face and stated in sum or substance, 'If you don't back up, I'm gonna kick your ass' and 'I already told you no, motherfucker.'"

Then Pippen punched him in the face and head, Shafighi claims.

"Plaintiff, a man of approximately 5 feet 7 inches, 185 pounds was immediately knocked backwards to the ground, hitting the pavement by the force of the blow from defendant, a 6 feet 8 inch, 230 pound athlete, which knocked him unconscious," the complaint states.

It continues: "Pippen continued to violently attack an already unconscious Mr. Shafighi, kicking and stomping him repeatedly in the chest with his right foot, while plaintiff was down. Plaintiff is informed and believes and thereon alleges that defendant shamelessly beat up plaintiff while defendant's wife and four children looked on."

The plaintiff adds: "At no time did or could Mr. Shafighi physically provoke or fight back, as he was knocked unconscious with the first blow by defendant Pippen."

Shafighi says Pippen's two friends intervened, and ushered the athlete away.

"Defendant Pippen left the scene in a Ford Expedition, while Mr. Shafighi lay unconscious on the ground and other patrons attempted to administer aid to him," the complaint states. "A security guard subsequently called 911, and the ambulance arrived to take Mr. Shafighi to the hospital."

Shafighi says he "sustained a litany of serious injuries," did not gain regain consciousness for six hours, and "suffered swelling on his head, a dislocated jaw and loose teeth, a fractured rib, a bruised tailbone, a right foot injury, and a cut lip and bruises."

He says he still needs to take "high doses" of pain medication, and that doctors have yet to determine if he suffered neurological damage.

The Sheriff's Department told The Associated Press that the incident is under investigation, and that Pippen has been cooperative. No charges have been filed.

L.A. Sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore said that several witnesses reported that Shafighi may have been intoxicated, according to USA Today.

Shafighi seeks damages for assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and negligent infliction of emotional distress.

Pippen, 47, won six titles on Chicago Bulls teams featuring Michael Jordan, and was inducted in 2010 into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Shafighi is represented by Kathryn Boyd with Schwarcz, Rimberg, Boyd & Rader.

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