Autotote Heir Charged with Assault

NEW YORK – As reported by Newsday: "A British music producer filed a civil assault lawsuit Wednesday against Luke Weil, heir to the Autotote gambling equipment fortune, alleging that Weil beat him bloody with a liquor bottle at a birthday party.

"Tarka Cordell, 38, of London, says in court papers that Weil attacked him and caused him 'grievous harm' on Nov. 19 in the Lower Manhattan loft apartment of artist and sculptress Hope Atherton, who was having a birthday party.

"Cordell alleges that the 25-year-old Weil, without provocation, struck him over the head with a bottle, hit him a second time and broke the bottle over his head, and then beat him about his head and body with his fists. Alan Schnurman, Cordell's lawyer, said his client was rescued when some of the other 40 partygoers pulled Weil off. Cordell, who is also a recording artist, was taken to Bellevue Hospital Center where doctors closed a scalp laceration with eight staples, Schnurman said.

"…Schnurman said Weil began the assault by asking Cordell who had invited him to the party.

"Weil then moved in closer to Cordell, stood on his toe, and refused to move when asked, according to the lawsuit. When Cordell pushed Weil and turned away, Weil hit him over the head with the bottle while Cordell's back was turned, it said…"