BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Feb. 13 Actor Omar Sharif pleaded no contest in a Beverly Hills, Calif., court to misdemeanor battery for fighting with a valet who wouldn't take a tip in euros.
Attorney Harland Braun entered the no contest plea Tuesday on Sharif's behalf. Superior Court Judge Richard A. Stone sentenced the Egyptian-born actor to two years' probation and 15 anger management sessions, which he said Sharif has the option of completing in either Europe or Egypt, where he currently resides, E! News said. The actor known for his role as Dr. Zhivago also was fined $100.
During a hearing scheduled in April, the judge will determine how much Sharif will have to pay in medical expenses.
The scuffle occurred in June 2005 as Sharif was leaving a Beverly Hills restaurant. The actor argued with parking lot attendant Juan Anderson after the valet couldn't locate his vehicle then refused to accept euros as a tip.
Braun said the no-contest plea is not an admission of guilt and can't be used against the actor in a civil case. Sharif still faces a civil suit brought by Anderson that seeks up to $750,000 in damages.
Copyright 2007 by UPI
