Los Angeles Superior Court Awards $1.6 Million in Damages to Victim of Hate Crime in Antisemitic Sushi Fumi Restaurant Attack

In a horrifying video from the May 2021 incident, a group of people in a caravan of cars are shown yelling and chanting antisemitic profanities while flying Palestinian flags. According to a witness, the group began throwing bottles and other items at diners as they were sitting outdoors eating dinner at Sushi Fumi. The video then depicts about eight people, most dressed in black, converging on the diners. An assault ensued and the fight grew increasingly violent as it spilled onto the sidewalk. One man is shown to be pushed up against a car, punched and kicked.

The hate crime case involved civil claims against two defendants. Glaser Weil Associate Simon Moradzadeh, alongside partners Patty Glaser and Julie Gerchik, represented Mr. Hagopian pro bono. Hagopian, who is not Jewish, protected his Jewish friends and other diners from the caravan of protestors who attacked them. In the process of protecting the Jewish diners, Hagopian was assaulted by the mob—including the defendants—resulting in severe physical and emotional harm.

The $1.6 million in punitive damages was awarded due to the overwhelming evidence demonstrating the outrageous nature of the antisemitic attack, including explicitly anti-Jewish hate speech captured via text messages. Two such texts say, “I never got to hit a Jew before so I’m Kinda Happy;” and “I need a blunt and then we go find Jews…”

“These damages send a clear message that hate crimes will not be tolerated in Los Angeles. Glaser Weil was happy to represent Mher pro bono as it was such a worthwhile cause,” Moradzadeh said. 

Co-Counsel Benny Khorsandi from The Law Offices of Arash Khorsandi agreed and extended gratitude to the LAPD and the United States Marshalls Service, which played a critical role in the investigation that showed “without doubt that this was an act of Jew hatred.” 

“Mher risked his personal safety to protect the Jewish diners. He is a hero, and it was an honor to represent him,” added Co-Counsel Michael Yadegaran of Avenue Law PC. 

Related press: Daily Journal, Los Angeles Times