Jay Mariotti attorney says accuser was ‘abusive,’ ‘highly intoxicated’

An attorney for ESPN personality and sports columnist Jay Mariotti said the domestic-violence allegations against him are inaccurate and that his alleged victim was “extremely intoxicated” and “abusive.”

Debra Wong Yang said Mariotti was trying to get his girlfriend home safely when the incident occurred.

“The allegations are inaccurate and sensationalized. We are confident that the facts will show that the complainant was extremely intoxicated that night and abusive toward Mr. Mariotti,” Yang said.

Mariotti faces seven misdemeanor counts in connection with a domestic-disturbance call last month at the couple’s condominium near the Venice- Santa Monica border, said Frank Mateljian, spokesman for the Los Angeles city attorney’s office.

Charges include two counts of domestic violence with injury, two counts of domestic violence, one count of grand theft, one count of false imprisonment and one count of vandalism. Each of the counts carries a maximum possible sentence of a year in jail, meaning Mariotti could face up to seven years behind bars.

Mariotti is to be arraigned Friday at the downtown criminal courts building.

LAPD sources said the couple began fighting at a club in Santa Monica after Mariotti accused his girlfriend of flirting with another man. The argument continued outside the club and as the pair left in their car, the sources said.

Mariotti originally was arrested on suspicion of felony domestic assault. He was released from jail on $50,000 bail, and the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office said there was not enough evidence to charge him with a felony.

ESPN has no immediate plans to have Mariotti rejoin the “Around the Horn” sports commentary show. “We have no plans to use him at this time,” ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz said Monday.

Mariotti has appeared on the show since Aug. 20, the day before his arrest.