MEDIA - A dispute over a seat at a State College bar led to a fight and now, a lawsuit naming the owners of the establishment and a Pennsylvania lawyer.
A lawsuit was filed Jan. 30 in the Court of Common Pleas of Delaware County over a bar fight that took place at Zeno's Pub. The plaintiff, Justin Walden, alleges that he was maliciously attacked by defendant Michael J. Krentzman, Esq., while visiting the establishment.
The complaint alleges that the incident occurred while Walden was a business invitee at Zeno's Pub, an establishment owned and operated by Hotel S.C., LLC and/or Pat Croce & Company.
Walden is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University School of Law and was visiting his alma mater on Oct. 27, 2022. He said he left his chair to use the restroom while the bar continued to serve a "visibly intoxicated" and "exceedingly inebriated" Krentzman.
Krentzman took the seat and wouldn't leave, even after Walden pointed out he himself was inebriated and having difficulty standing, the suit says.
Walden says a verbal encounter started and he put his arm out to avoid a physical altercation.
"Plaintiff's next recollection is waking up on the floor of the premises," the suit says. "Plaintiff learned through others present at the time and reports from the State College Police that he had been punched in the nose by Defendant Krentzman."
A criminal complaint for simple assault and disorderly conduct followed but there is no arrest records, Walden says. He thinks Krentzman's association with Name, Image and Likeness collectives for Penn State athletes has helped him have his record expunged or sealed.
Walden is represented by Robert Englert and Andrew F. Parker from RFE Law Firm, LLC. Other defendants include Hotel S.C., LLC, Pat Croce & Company and Zeno's Pub.