Los Angeles, California – Comedian and actor Pauly Shore is facing a lawsuit over an incident that occurred at his venue, the iconic Comedy Store in Los Angeles. The lawsuit, filed by Eliot Preschutti, alleges that on December 15, 2023, multiple bouncers at the Comedy Store violently beat Preschutti, with some reportedly heard yelling, “This is for Pauly!” during the attack. The lawsuit lists various claims including battery, assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligence.
Preschutti, who has been involved in the comedy and entertainment business since 1995, previously worked with The Comedy Store, Pauly Shore, and Mitzi Shore in 1999. The altercation is said to have stemmed from a dispute over an unpaid bar tab, with the lawsuit detailing the events that led to the violent incident.
This is not the first time Shore has faced legal trouble in relation to actions of his employees at The Comedy Store. In a separate lawsuit earlier this year, bouncers associated with Shore were accused of assaulting patrons Sean Kehoe and Kirra Lyn Potts. The lawsuit alleges that Shore was aware of the plan to assault Kehoe and may have even encouraged the attack.
The Comedy Store, co-founded in 1972 by Sammy Shore, Pauly’s father, and Mitzi’s husband, has a rich history of fostering comedic talent, with Mitzi at the helm for many years. As the owner of the club, she supported the careers of renowned comedians such as Roseanne Barr, Andrew Dice Clay, Whoopi Goldberg, Sebastian Maniscalco, and Robin Williams, among others. Following Mitzi’s passing in 2018, the club is now owned by Pauly Shore as the Trustee of the Mitzi S. Shore Trust.
On the night in question, Preschutti, visiting the club to watch comedy, allegedly forgot to close out his tab before leaving, which led to the confrontation with bouncers outside the club. The incident escalated into a physical altercation, where Preschutti was reportedly pinned down and brutally beaten by multiple bouncers.
Preschutti is seeking compensatory and punitive damages, along with the cost of the suit, as a result of the severe physical and emotional harm he endured. A video of the assault has surfaced online, adding to the evidence in the case and shedding light on the events of that night at The Comedy Store in Los Angeles.