Columbus Keith Short plays one of Olivia Pope’s (Kerry Washington) crisis management team in the hit TV drama, Scandal. So how appropriate, then, is that he’s accused of striking someone on the nose and knocking them out at an L.A restaurant. Sometimes the headlines write themselves.

Columbus ShortColumbus Short on set in downtown L.A

According to The L.A Times, Short was arrested on Wednesday (March 27) for the incident that allegedly occurred on March 15. Prosecutors charged him with felony battery with serious bodily injury after he become involved in a disagreement with the man. He was booked by Claremont police and released on $50,000 bail. He could face four years in jail if found guilty. 

According to Hollywood Life, the supposed victim said: “You might be richer than me but I get my girls to buy me everything I want including your wife.” And that, allegedly, is when Columbus “came up behind him” and sucker punched him. We’d stress that this is an unfounded rumour at this point, and serious pinches of salt should be consumed. Witnesses told TMZ that Short left him unconscious and left the scene. 

A former choreographer for Britney Spears, Short is no stranger to being arrested. He was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving in July 2008, Los Angeles police records show. He was arrested again July 19 of 2010, on suspicion of battery with great bodily injury and later in connection with failing to appear on a court case.

More: Arrest Warrant Issued For Actor Columbus Short

He was also was placed on three years' probation after being convicted of disturbing the peace. And he was arrested and charged last month with battery on a former spouse at his former Woodland Hills home, to which he pleaded not guilty. 

Watch a pregnant Kerry Washington arriving at the SNL afterparty: