'Scandal' Actor Columbus Short Arrested For Allegedly Punching Man At West LA Eatery

LOS ANGELES (CBS/AP) — "Scandal" actor Columbus Short was arrested Wednesday for allegedly punching a man at a West Los Angeles restaurant earlier this month, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney's office.

The 31-year-old star, who was charged with a felony count of battery with serious bodily injury Tuesday, was booked by the Claremont Police Department. He was released on $50,000 bail.

Short is accused of hitting and knocking out a male guest at an eatery on March 15.

If convicted, Short faces up to four years in prison.

The actor was charged Feb. 14 with misdemeanor spousal battery and has pleaded not guilty in that case. A judge ordered him to stay away from his wife, Tuere Short, at a March 5 court hearing. Records show she filed for divorce last year, but dismissed her petition earlier this year.

Short was charged with felony battery in June 2010 and pleaded no contest to the reduced charge of disturbing the peace in February 2011. He was placed on three years of informal probation. Court records show he paid his fines and resolved the case without issue.

The actor, who portrays Harrison Wright on ABC's hit series "Scandal," has appeared in the films "Stomp the Yard," "Accepted" and "Death at a Funeral."

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