Man says he's a friend, not Coleman bodyguard

PROVO — It was a "bowling buddy," not a bodyguard, who was with actor Gary Coleman and his wife on the night the trio allegedly assaulted a Spanish Fork man who tried to take pictures of the pop-culture icon.

That's a crucial distinction in a personal injury lawsuit Colt Rushton has filed against Coleman, former star of "Diff'rent Strokes"; Coleman's wife, Shannon Price; and Paul Rohbock. Rushton asserts the three attacked him and Coleman struck him with his truck Sept. 6 after Rushton tried to take pictures of Coleman at South County Lanes in Payson.

In his complaint, Rushton contends Rohbock was Coleman's bodyguard. But Rohbock's attorney, Richard Glauser, denies that assertion, saying Rohbock is just a friend of Coleman and Price.

"All these allegations that he was a bodyguard are absolute nonsense — they just made it up," Glauser said Thursday. "He's a bowling buddy."

Rushton's attorney, Dustin Lance, said Glauser's response doesn't surprise him and that the truth will eventually come out.

"We look forward to what we will find out in discovery," he said.

Rushton is suing for damages for pain and suffering, past and future medical expenses, and lost earnings and loss of earning capacity. Whether Rohbock was Coleman's bodyguard or just a friend would greatly influence who is legally liable for Rohbock's actions on the night in question.

Rohbock also disputed much of Rushton's account of the night's events in a response to the personal-injury lawsuit filed recently in 4th District Court.

Ruston says he was bowling with friends when he saw Coleman, Price and Rohbock a few lanes down. He said he snapped a few pictures of Coleman before Rohbock told him each picture would cost $20.

Rushton said he and his friends left the bowling alley, and he took a few more pictures of Coleman's truck because the seat was raised closer to the steering wheel for Coleman's smaller frame. Price and/or Rohbock rushed him, took the phone away and Coleman punched him a few times, he says.

Rushton said he asked for his phone back, but Coleman got in the truck and hit Rushton while he was backing out, according to the complaint, causing soft tissue injuries to Rushton's neck and back. Coleman faces misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and reckless driving in Payson's Justice Court.

Coleman and his attorney, Terry Plant, disagree with every point and allegation in Rushton's account, as do Rohbock and Glauser.

---

E-mail: jdana@desnews.com