Mark Morrison, known for the '90s R&B anthem "Return of the Mack," found himself in a legal jam this weekend after being arrested on a simple battery charge in Palm Beach. As reported by CBS12, the 52-year-old singer allegedly got into a physical confrontation with a restaurant manager at Le Bar à Vin over a contention surrounding an unpaid entertainment fee.
The incident, which occurred on Sunday evening, quickly escalated as Morrison reportedly pushed the manager twice causing witnesses to intervene and the police to be summoned, leading to Morrison's arrest; he was later released on a $1,000 bond according to USA TODAY. The dispute arose from an event the previous night when Morrison brought in a singer whose sound levels became an issue. This led to the manager refusing Morrison's request to increase the volume, according to Fabrizio Riillo, the restaurant's nightlife manager.
Morrison's attorney, Rick King, has since released a statement emphasising that the confrontation was not just about the fee but had racial undertones, "it is important to acknowledge that this altercation between Mr. Morrison and the male employee of the Le Bar a Vin, Nicola Lavacca, arose in the context of a racially charged confrontation," King explained to CBS12. Morrison is currently cooperating with authorities and through legal channels expects the truth will clear his name.
The arraignment is scheduled for April 15, and until then, fans and observers are asked to hold off on judgment while Morrison and his legal counsel assert that the full story has yet to be revealed, "Mr. Morrison appreciates the support of family, friends, and the community and asks that the public withhold judgment until all facts are presented," King stated in an attempt to mitigate the situation preemptively, CBS12 reported.
