Comedian Faizon Love Faces Felony Trial for Alleged Hotel Assault

Comedian Faizon Love Faces Felony Trial for Alleged Hotel Assault

Comedian and actor Faizon Love, widely recognized for his roles in Friday, Elf, and Couples Retreat, is now facing a serious legal battle stemming from an alleged assault that occurred in San Diego in August 2024.

The incident, which took place at the Sheraton Mission Valley hotel, has sparked both civil and criminal proceedings, casting a shadow over the actor’s career.

The Alleged Incident

According to court documents and media reports, Faizon Love became irate when he was told his third-party hotel reservation couldn’t be honored due to overbooking. Witnesses and the alleged victim, hotel clerk Elizabeth Renderos, say that Love escalated the confrontation by forcibly removing a credit card reader from the counter and throwing it at her. The device reportedly struck her in the head, breaking her glasses and causing a concussion.

Renderos later sought medical attention and has since reported lingering symptoms such as light sensitivity and chronic headaches. Security footage has reportedly been reviewed, but its contents have not been released to the public.

Legal Fallout

In February 2025, Renderos filed a civil lawsuit against Love, citing assault and battery, emotional distress, and negligence. She is seeking both compensatory and punitive damages.

Meanwhile, prosecutors in San Diego filed a felony criminal complaint against Love for assault with a deadly weapon and bodily injury enhancement. A judge reviewed the case in July 2025 and found sufficient evidence to move forward with a criminal trial. Love pleaded not guilty during arraignment and is currently awaiting trial, scheduled for January 2026. If convicted, he could face up to seven years in prison.

The Defense’s Position

Love’s attorney, Marc Kligman, has pushed back on the charges, arguing that the alleged victim's statements have changed over time and that witnesses did not definitively see the moment the clerk was struck. Kligman has also hinted that the civil suit may be financially motivated, as it was filed months before the criminal complaint.

Public Response

While Faizon Love has not publicly addressed the accusations, reactions online have been mixed. Some fans express disappointment, while others question the evidence and remain supportive of his work. Love, who has built a career on playing bold, brash characters, now finds himself in the spotlight for reasons far removed from the stage or screen.

Looking Ahead

With a criminal trial on the horizon and a civil lawsuit pending, the next several months will be critical for Faizon Love’s legal and public standing. Whether the evidence supports the serious charges against him will ultimately be decided in court.

For now, the case serves as a reminder of how quickly public figures can fall from grace—and how one moment of alleged misconduct can carry years of consequence.