Michael Newman is suing Luke Perez and Christopher Green, faculty members at Ohio State's Salmon P. Chase Center, after he was assaulted earlier this year.
The viral moment happened in February as Newman, a documentarian, and DJ Byrnes, also known as "The Rooster," were questioning former Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee, who was serving as a guest lecturer at the center.
Newman and Byrnes attempted to follow Gee into a classroom after Gee ended the interview. According to the complaint:
"Perez grabbed Mr. Newman around both shoulders .. jerked Mr. Newman's head forward and struck him in the face with his open hand as he shoved him forcefully into the door frame behind him and onto the ground. He then stood over Mr. Newman, yelling that he had told Mr. Newman not to put a camera in his face, and shoved him down again with his hand as Mr. Newman tried to get back to his feet."
The lawsuit says that during an interview with Ohio State University Police, Green falsely claimed Newman initiated physical contact with Perez.
Newman is seeking a jury trial to determine damages.
Perez remains on leave and pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of disorderly conduct, avoiding a trial. A human resources committee recommended Perez be fired, calling the incident "the most egregious incident of workplace violence they had ever investigated."
Green is still listed as a professor at the Salmon P. Chase Center.