Shia LaBeouf admitted that he has been drinking alcohol every day since being sentenced to two years of probation following a physical altercation at a New Orleans bar.
According to a document detailing a probation status hearing attended by the actor without his lawyer on Wednesday (August 19), first reported by TMZ, LaBeouf said he has been regularly checking in with his probation officer. He also submitted proof that he is on track to complete anger management training and substance abuse treatment by next month. The document further revealed that LaBeouf declined mental health treatment and acknowledged that he drinks alcohol daily.
LaBeouf was arrested in February after an incident in which he allegedly punched a man several times with a closed fist outside a bar before returning inside and “acting even more aggressive,” prompting several people to intervene and restrain him.
After being allowed to get up with the expectation that he would leave, LaBeouf allegedly struck the same man again in the upper body and punched another man in the nose.
Following his guilty plea and probation sentence in June, his attorney, Sarah Chervinsky, described the incident as a “minor Mardi Gras bar tussle” in a statement to Complex.
“The police and District Attorney’s investigation proved exactly what Shia LaBeouf said from the beginning — that this was nothing more than a minor Mardi Gras bar tussle,” Chervinsky told Complex at the time. “There is no evidence it was about bias or prejudice, which is why the state only charged these low level misdemeanors. Mr. LaBeouf came to court today wanting to take accountability for his part in what happened, and he has done so.”
His next hearing is set for Sept. 23, though LaBeouf will be unable to attend due to filming commitments. He could face six months behind bars if he fails to successfully complete his probation.
