The illusionist known for defying reality now faces a starkly real legal battle. Criss Angel, along with his companies and the venue where his Las Vegas show unfolds, is embroiled in a lawsuit alleging assault and battery stemming from a December 2023 incident.
The trouble began with a simple cellphone. Brandon McDonald was reportedly using his phone inside the Criss Angel Theatre at Planet Hollywood, a violation of established theatre rules. When a security officer intervened, the situation quickly escalated.
According to reports, McDonald reacted with aggression, allegedly leaping over seats and striking the officer twice in the face. Security personnel then moved to restrain him, bringing him to the ground and eventually escorting him to the lobby.
The confrontation didn’t end there. McDonald allegedly struck the officer a third time in the lobby, while claiming he was desperately trying to reach his dying mother via text message. The emotional weight of that claim now forms a central part of the legal dispute.
Partial video footage captured a surprising moment: McDonald embracing Angel before the situation soured. The footage shows McDonald then aggressively clapping his hands, seemingly in an attempt to intimidate the magician.
Angel responded by returning towards McDonald, after which the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department took McDonald into custody. He was subsequently booked on battery charges and taken to the Clark County Detention Centre.
More than two years later, McDonald is pursuing a multi-faceted lawsuit. He alleges negligence, false imprisonment, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, alongside claims of gross negligence and malicious misconduct.
The lawsuit specifically names Angel and three security officers for assault and battery, and extends to Planet Hollywood, Angel’s production companies, Caesars Entertainment, and the security firm, alleging negligent hiring, training, and supervision.
McDonald claims to have suffered “severe bodily trauma,” potentially permanent and disabling injuries, as a result of the incident. He is seeking over $15,000 to cover medical expenses and lost wages, plus an additional $60,000 for legal fees.
Criss Angel’s “Mindfreak Live” show has been a Las Vegas staple since 2018, previously captivating audiences for a decade at the Luxor Hotel & Casino. Now, the spotlight has shifted from illusion to a very real and potentially damaging legal challenge.
