Celebrity Mound

Knocking back a little Tequila could cost an NFL player plenty.

Reality show star Tila Tequila filed a lawsuit today against ex-boyfriend Shawne Merriman, the hulking San Diego Chargers linebacker who she claims grabbed her, shook her, knocked her down and choked her during an argument in September, according to TMZ.com.

And she seemingly has the bruises to prove it.

The suit, which was brought after the San Diego County D.A. declined to press criminal charges, includes photos of large, purple bruises on Tequila’s arms that she alleges were caused by Merriman.

TMZ.com reports that other photos included in the lawsuit depict the dramatic size difference between the petite TV star – she’s 4′11″ and weighs under 100 lbs. – and Merriman, who is listed as 6′4″ and 280 lbs.

Tequila, who is seeking unspecified damages for assault, battery, false imprisonment and emotional distress – has accused her ex of having a bad temper and drug problem.

She said Merriman also humiliated her because of her bisexuality, which she exploited as the object of desire for both sexes on MTV’s “A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila.”

(source)

District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis on Friday dismissed reality TV star Tila Tequila’s accusations that San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman choked her and threw her to the ground early Sunday while she was trying to leave his suburban home.

Merriman was arrested after Tequila signed a citizen’s arrest warrant accusing Merriman of battery and false imprisonment. Both are felonies.

Dumanis decided not to charge Merriman after her office spent three days reviewing reports from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.

“After a thorough review of the investigation into the Sept. 6, 2009, incident at the Poway home of Shawne Merriman, our office has determined there is insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that any crime was committed,” Dumanis said in a statement. “This case is now closed. No further comment will be made.”

Dumanis’ statement was released moments after the Chargers concluded practice. Informed by reporters that he wouldn’t be charged, Merriman said he couldn’t comment until after he’d spoken with his lawyers.

A few hours later, he released a statement that read in part:

“I want to express my appreciation and gratitude to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and the District Attorney’s office for carefully reviewing the evidence and not rushing to judgment on these serious allegations. I also appreciate the objectiveness expressed by the San Diego Charges ownership and management, my teammates, my friends and especially all the fans. I look forward to continuing to stay focused on my career goals: a great season of football and the success of the San Diego Chargers.”

In a statement, Chargers general manager A.J. Smith said: “It’s really good news for Shawne. We’re happy things worked out for him on the legal front.”

Smith didn’t return a call seeking further comment.

The Chargers are preparing for their season opener Monday night at Oakland. It will be Merriman’s first game back since having knee surgery after the 2008 season opener.

Tequila, whose real name is Tila Nguyen, is best known for “A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila,” which ran for two seasons on MTV. The bisexual dating show featured men and women vying for Tequila’s affections. She has also modeled for Playboy and other men’s magazines.

Merriman said he was trying to keep Tequila from leaving his home because she appeared to be intoxicated and denied harming her.

Tequila’s attorney, Alan Gutman, called Merriman’s explanation “spin” and predicted it would be discredited, saying the 6-foot-4, 265-pound linebacker “brutally” assaulted his client.

Gutman did not return calls seeking comment.

Meanwhile Tila Tequila spent a reckless night on Twitter tweeting away with little regard for her reputation not realizing that spending hours on end pleading her case just makes her look even worse….and maybe even like a liar. I gotta say, I was extremely GLAD when her senseless tweets finally stopped 2 hours ago. She needs to realize how BAD this makes her look

Here are some of her @officialtila Twitter highlights:

Shawne has his people cover up for him. Did u know that he is the “CLUB OWNER” who said I was drunk? Shawne owns that club..conspiracy.

Shawne Merriman, the NFL & the San Diego D.A.’s want 2 toss me under the bus with conspiracy & corrupt judicial system. I will keep fighting

At my meeting with the D.A.(which they said never happened) they asked me to bring them all the evidence. They closed case b4 investigating!

There is a STRONG reason why I was trying to get away frantically that night & they tried 2 stop me. They DID NOT WANT THE TRUTH 2 GET OUT!

I understand pple love watching football cuz so Do I. But just remember when u take ur kids 2 the game their watching a criminal like shawne

San Diego County District Attorneys Number 4 you to call. fight for INJUSTICE-619-531-4040 FAX 619-237-1351 #justice4tila Everyone call them

The corrupt SD DA let woman-beater Shawne get away so now he’s gonna go out and continue 2 party and do what he does 2 women in my picture

Check out Tila Tequila’s bruises. Do you think it was an accident that she decided to let photographers take these shots? I doubt it. She let the paparazzi snap shots of her bruised arms and neck today which seem to prove that San Diego Charger Shawne Merriman did a little more than stop her from driving home drunk. Her fake eyelashes were undamaged.

Wow now THIS sounds MORE LIKE IT!!!! I knew there had to be more to what happened between Tila Tequila and Shawne Merriman!

According to 10News.com, Tequila walked into the bedroom of the house she shares with the NFL star, where she saw him with two women. After Merriman asked her to join them, Tequila stormed out and threatened to have sex with one of his friends, after which Tequila claims Merriman choked her and threw her to the ground. He denies the choking charge and maintains that Tequila was intoxicated and he was simply trying to prevent her from driving drunk.

(source)

Tila Tequila’s attorney on Tuesday called San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman’s explanation of an altercation with the reality star that led to his arrest “spin” and predicted it would be discredited.

Attorney Alan S. Gutman said in a statement that Merriman’s public comments that he was trying to protect Tequila, who he thought was drunk, amount to another attack on his client.

“Shawne Merriman and his advisors have decided that the best defense is a good offense, attacking Tila Tequila in the press with a lot of calculated spin to cover up his illegal and indefensible actions,” Gutman’s statement read.

However, society won’t tolerate a physical assaulting on a young woman who weighs 93 pounds by an All-Pro linebacker who weighs 270 pounds, he said.

Merriman was arrested early Sunday after Tequila accused him of choking and throwing her while she was at his suburban San Diego home. Tequila signed a citizen’s arrest warrant accusing Merriman of battery and false imprisonment. Both are felonies.

Tequila, whose real name is Tila Nguyen, is best known for “A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila,” which ran for two seasons on MTV. The bisexual dating show featured men and women vying for Tequila’s affections. She has also modeled for Playboy and other men’s magazines.

Prosecutors will have to decide whether to press charges, and Merriman and his attorney, Todd Macaluso, have said they expect him to be vindicated. Macaluso did not immediately return an e-mail message seeking comment Tuesday night.

Merriman issued a statement Sunday denying wrongdoing and saying he was trying to keep Tequila from leaving his home because she appeared to be intoxicated.

“I in no way caused any harm to Ms. Nguyen, however, paramedics were called and she was examined but no injuries were reported,” Merriman’s statement read.

Merriman is one of the NFL’s hardest-hitting players and is nicknamed “Lights Out” for his savage hits.

The three-time Pro Bowl selection has been getting back into shape after having season-ending knee surgery following the 2008 opener.

“It is never justifiable to brutally assault, choke, strike and imprison a woman,” Gutman wrote in the statement. “Once the truth is fully revealed, Mr. Merriman’s fantastic story of how he was trying to keep Ms. Tequila safe will be completely discredited.”

The NFL linebacker busted for choking reality TV star Tila Tequila said he was only trying to protect her.

San Diego Chargers player Shawne Merriman — who was arrested for allegedly choking the curvy starlet and knocking her down when she tried to leave his southern California house — said Tequila was too drunk to drive.

“We would all do our best to help a friend if we considered their actions to be detrimental to their personal safety,” Merriman, 25, said in a statement, insisting he did nothing to harm Tequila, his girlfriend.

“At the time, I was concerned about her welfare given the intoxicated state she appeared to be in and I encouraged her to stay until safe transportation could be provided.”

The three-time Pro Bowler added that he wants to clear “his name” and “put this behind me so I can continue to focus on a successful season for the San Diego Chargers,” which kicks off next Monday.

Merriman was arrested at his home north of San Diego early Sunday and charged with battery and false imprisonment after Tequila – who starred in the two-season MTV show “A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila” – called cops about 3:45 a.m. Merriman was released seven hours later after posting $58,000 bail, according to reports.

At the time, Tequila had been partying at Merriman’s suburban Poway home with at least 14 other people and was “extremely inebriated,” according to his lawyer.

The duo had earlier been spotted at a swanky San Diego club where they partied in the penthouse until closing at 2 a.m., according to reports.

“There was absolutely no wrongdoing on the part of Mr. Merriman,” his lawyer, Todd Macaluso, told the Associated Press.

“He essentially was doing what was appropriate under the circumstances in trying to protect the safety of Miss Tequila. There were numerous eyewitnesses that will support his version of the events that transpired at his home.”

Tequila was taken to a hospital for treatment and released. Merriman insisted Tequila “was examined but no injuries were reported.”

Tequila’s attorney, Scott Leemon, said the starlet, whose real name is Tila Nguyen, would not be commenting on the incident.

Merriman, who missed nearly all of the last season because of a knee injury, was suspended for four games for testing positive for steroids in 2006.

Tequila has also modeled for Playboy and other men’s magazines. Her R-rated reality dating show featured men and women competing for her affections.

(source)

San Diego Chargers star outside linebacker Shawne Merriman says he didn’t harm a reality TV star who has accused him of choking and restraining her.

Merriman says in a statement late Sunday that he was worried for the safety of Tila Tequila because she appeared to be intoxicated and he didn’t want her to drive.

He also says paramedics who were called to his home in Poway, north of San Diego, reported no injuries to Tequila, best known for “A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila,” which ran for two seasons on MTV.

The reality starlet was hospitalized early Sunday following an altercation with her San Diego Chargers boyfriend, Shawne Merriman, officials confirm to E! News.

San Diego County Sheriff’s Lt. Gary Steadman says Merriman was arrested early Sunday when the 27-year-old Tequila signed a citizen’s arrest warrant charging him with battery and false imprisonment. Both are felonies.

Merriman says the allegations are false.

Statement from Shawne Merriman:

The following statement was received via e-mail late Sunday night:

On September 6, 2009 the San Diego Sheriffs Department responded to a citizens complaint that was initiated by Tila Nguyen (aka Tila Tequila). I was taken into custody based upon that complaint. At the time, I was concerned about her welfare given the intoxicated state she appeared to be in and I encouraged her to stay until safe transportation could be provided. We would all do our best to help a friend if we considered their actions to be detrimental to their personal safety. I in no way caused any harm to Ms Nguyen, however, paramedics were called and she was examined but no injuries were reported. She was released and has since returned to Los Angeles, California. There have been no charges filed against me. I want to thank the San Diego Sheriffs Department for their professionalism. I will continue to cooperate fully with the Department and I look forward to clearing my name regarding these false allegations. I want to put this behind me so I can continue to focus on a successful season for the San Diego Chargers.

Go here and read the comments about his press release!

San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman was arrested last night after allegedly roughing up his girlfriend, noted internet person Tila Tequlia. Way to start the season strong, buddy.

Merriman, who missed all but one game last season with knee problems, was arrested in front of his own home about 3:45 a.m. this morning after Tequila (sigh) accused him of choking her and restraining her when she tried to leave the house. She went to the hospital, he went to jail. Both have apparently been released.

The possibly roid-raged linebacker recently expressed admiration for Oregon’s LeGarrette Blount and his sucker punching ways, stating “I want to punch a bunch of guys but i would never risk getting suspended and fined i love my $.” Apparently, Merriman has not read the NFL’s collective bargaining agreement, because the strictures against guy punching also include women. If you think drunk driving, shooting yourself in the leg, and dog murder are frowned upon, I’m sure Roger Goodell has been itching to take a very strong stand against domestic violence. Maybe Shawne is trying to see just how many games he can miss and still make the Pro Bowl.

Because Tequila and Merriman are both lunatics who are obsessed with Twitter, you can probably find more updates there in the near future.

Here’s a video of Merriman leaving jail:

Merriman, 25, was taken into custody and booked into the central jail at about 8:30 a.m. He was released shortly after 11 a.m. Caldwell said she didn’t know if he posted bail or was released on his own recognizance.

The linebacker’s lawyer talked briefly with reporters outside the San Diego County Jail downtown Sunday. He denied the allegations and claimed that Merriman and Nguyen were at a party at his Poway home with at least 14 other people.

“During the evening Ms. Tequila was extremely intoxicated, inebriated and Mr. Merriman did everything he could to assist her in arranging for transportation to leave his home. At no time did Mr. Merriman assault her; at no time did Mr. Merriman keep her against her will. His intentions were nothing but good,” Merriman’s attorney Todd Macaluso said.

Tequila requested an ambulance and was transported to Pomerado Hospital. She has since been released.

Caldwell said Sunday that deputies confirmed that Tequila had been drinking.

Tequila, whose real name is Tila Nguyen, is best known for “A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila,” which ran for two seasons on MTV. The bisexual dating show featured men and women vying for Tequila’s affections. She has also modeled for Playboy and other men’s magazines.

Scott E. Leemon, an attorney for Tequila, said in a statement that neither she nor her representatives would comment publicly on the incident.

Stingaree management officials confirmed Sunday that Merriman and Tequila were a birthday celebration with friends in the Penthouse of the nightclub until 2 a.m. when the nightclub closed.

“They seemed in good spirits throughout the evening and were enjoying themselves. There was no outward indication of any problem between the two of them,” Stingaree spokesperson Lauren Clifford said.

The Chargers, picked by some as Super Bowl favorites, open the regular season a week from Monday night at Oakland. Players had been off since after Friday night’s exhibition finale against San Francisco. They are due back at practice on Monday.

“It’s disappointing to hear about the issue involving Shawne Merriman. We’ll continue to monitor the situation and let the legal process run its course,” General Manager of the San Diego Chargers A.J. Smith said in a statement released on Sunday afternoon.
The Chargers have faced a string of negative publicity after several arrests.

Chargers defensive tackle Jamal Williams was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving on Feb. 1., but the San Diego City Attorney’s office decided to charge him with misdemeanor reckless driving after his blood-alcohol level showed 0.07 percent, under the state limit of 0.0

Chargers receiver Vincent Jackson was arrested for investigation of DUI on Jan. 6, five days before San Diego’s playoff loss at Pittsburgh.

In 2006, there were seven run-ins with the law by Chargers players, including linebacker Steve Foley’s shooting by an off-duty Coronado police officer who suspected him of drunken driving, and two other players who were arrested for investigation of DUI.
Besides the arrests, linebacker Shawne Merriman was suspended four games for testing positive for steroids in 2006, and linebacker Stephen Cooper was suspended by the NFL for the first four games of the 2008 season after testing positive for a banned stimulant.

Merriman was the 12th overall pick out of the University of Maryland in the 2005 draft, and had 39 1/2 sacks in his first three seasons. The three-time Pro Bowl selection was getting back into shape after missing nearly all of last season following knee surgery.

It’s now up to the District Attorney’s office whether they will uphold the charges. If they do uphold the charges, Merriman is expected to be arraigned next week.

“He’s done absolutely nothing wrong; he looks forward to the football season. He’s ready to go and this is merely an incident that was unfortunate that should never had occurred and was a result, directly, of Ms. Tequila’s conduct and the way she conducted herself in Mr. Merriman’s home,” Macaluso said. “We are very confident this matter will be resolved without any charges being filed whatsoever.”

(tmz)