Donato Sardella/WireImage.comUPDATE: Pete Wentz's rep had this to say about the assault claim filed against the Fall Out Boy bassist earlier today in Chicago:
"This case is meritless. We looked into it and the facts don't support his claims. We will vigorously defend this case in court."
So there.
_____________________________
Maybe Pete Wentz needs to tone the emo down a notch.
The newly betrothed rocker was sued for assault and battery today by a Chicago man who claims he was beaten up by Wentz and his security team following a Fall Out Boy performance at a Chicago bar last June. (View the lawsuit.)
Andy Kallas claims Wentz and cohorts "without authorization and provocation, by physical force did strike, kick and beat" him for several minutes, leaving him with "serious injuries to his head, mouth and face," per the complaint filed in Cook County Circuit Court.
Speaking exclusively to E! News, Kallas' attorney says don't be fooled by the rocker's diminutive stature—"even small people who get the first blow can still do some damage," said Stephan Zouras.
The lawyer suggested that Ashlee Simpson's fiancé apparently mistook his client for someone else.
"It was a performance by invite only," said Zouras. "Apparently, during the performance, there was a verbal exchange between Mr. Wentz and some other individuals. It would seem that Mr. Wentz mistook my client for the person that was engaging in that exchange.
"Following the performance as he was exiting the premises, he saw my client and decided to have a physical confrontation with him, and he assaulted him. It was initiated by Mr. Wentz, but then apparently members of his entourage became involved, at least three or four individuals.”
Kallas, who's asking for unspecified damages for pain and suffering, medical bills and lost wages, required hospitalization afterward and is still emotionally traumatized, Zouras said.
“All my client wants is for this individual to bear responsibility for his choices,” the attorney added. “We think celebrities should be held to a slightly higher standard.”
The lawsuit states that Wentz's conduct was "deliberate, willful, malicious and calculated to cause serious injury" to Kallas, who is also charging the possibly expectant dad with false imprisonment and negligence. Schuba's Tavern, the club where the alleged altercation took place, is named as a defendant as well.
—Reporting by Claudia Rosenbaum
Originally published April 30, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. PT