Leo DiCaprio Deposed on Alleged Brawl

By Stephen M. Silverman

Wednesday May 07, 2003 01:00 PM EDT

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Yahoo Buzz
• E-mail

Catch him if you can: Leonardo DiCaprio has been deposed in a $45 million lawsuit stemming from a 1998 case that alleges he ordered friends to "kick the ass" of "Showgirls" star Elizabeth Berkley's ex-boyfriend, screenwriter (and ex-"Porky's" actor) Roger Wilson, reports Reuters.

DiCaprio's lawyer, Paul Callan, tells the news service, however, that even though the "Gangs of New York" star, 29, was questioned last Thursday, he anticipates that the case will be dismissed before it reaches Manhattan Supreme Court for its scheduled Sept. 2 trial date.

According to legal papers in the case against DiCaprio and his friends, the star is accused of inciting his entourage -- referred to in court documents as "his posse" -- to attack Wilson.

The alleged March 4, 1998, brawl took place outside the trendy Asia de Cuba restaurant on Madison Avenue, in the shadow of the Empire State Building.

Wilson alleges he suffered a broken larynx and other injuries when he was punched in the throat after being goaded by a member of DiCaprio's "posse." Wilson claims these injuries ruined his singing career.

DiCaprio was reportedly deposed for several hours by Wilson's attorney, Leslie Kelmachter. "The civil suit and depositions are going very well," she told Reuters, adding that she expects depositions to continue for the better part of the summer.

DiCaprio's lawyer, on the other hand, said, "It's about time this is all coming to an end ... Leonardo DiCaprio has repeatedly and forcefully denied any wrongdoing in this case and looks forward to these false charges being dismissed by the court."