A week after criminal charges were filed against a Salt Lake Organizing Committee officer, his alleged victim has also filed a negligence and battery civil lawsuit.

Richard Van Orden, 32, and his wife, Noelle Van Orden, filed a lawsuit in 3rd District Court Monday seeking unspecified general and punitive damages against Douglas Arnot, 49, SLOC's managing director of operations who allegedly beat Van Orden in the face repeatedly during a street confrontation March 29.According to the lawsuit, Van Orden was crossing 300 South at West Temple when Arnot began to make a left turn onto 300 South on "a path that eventually would have led (Arnot) onto a collision course with (Van Orden)."

The two exchanged words, and before Van Orden reached the other side of the street, Arnot made a U-turn and "cut off" Van Orden on the crosswalk, the lawsuit states.

During the verbal exchange that continued, Arnot "grabbed the plaintiff by the shirt and tie, pulling the plaintiff toward the window of the defendant's vehicle," the lawsuit states. Arnot then "began viciously punching the plaintiff in the face and head."

Arnot then dragged Van Orden by his shirt and tie into the intersection before releasing him, the lawsuit states. "Van Orden sustained multiple bodily injuries as a result of the incident."

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"I find it remarkable that you have nothing better to cover," Arnot said when contacted Tuesday, but he declined to comment further.

Last week, Arnot was charged with assault, a class A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine. A court appearance is scheduled for May 22.

Apart from punishment through the court system, SLOC officials have said they ordered Arnot to attend counseling sessions for anger management. Earlier this month, Arnot told the Deseret News he "responded very inappropriately" in the exchange with Van Orden.

You can reach Hans Camporreales by e-mail at hans@desnews.com

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