Shia LaBeouf has admitted he’s drinking every day just months after being arrested during Mardi Gras.
Shia LaBeouf was sentenced in June
Back in June, the 40-year-old actor pleaded guilty to misdemeanour battery charges stemming from an altercation with three men at a New Orleans bar during the Mardi Gras holiday celebrations in February.
At the time, he was sentenced to two years’ probation and ordered to complete programmes addressing alcohol abuse, anger management and sensitivity awareness.
In new court documents obtained by TMZ, LeBeouf has checked in with his probation supervisor as required, and “provided proof that he will complete anger management and substance abuse treatment by next month”.
According to the report, he’s denied mental health treatment, and “self-reported that he drinks alcohol daily”.
The next hearing is scheduled for September 23, but it’s said the document reveals the Transformers actor won’t be in attendance due to prior commitments working on a movie.
Following his sentencing, LaBeouf’s attorney Sarah Chervinsky said the actor was now focused on family life, work and future creative projects.
He remains one of Hollywood’s most recognisable actors through roles in the Transformers franchise, Honey Boy, Fury and Disturbia, while his personal life and legal troubles have frequently generated headlines alongside his screen career.
Following the court appearance, Ms Chervinsky said: “(Shia is) looking forward to focusing on family, work and new creative projects.”
She also argued the investigation into the New Orleans incident established it amounted to “nothing more than a minor… bar tussle” during Mardi Gras celebrations.
According to police statements filed with the court, officers arrested Shia after allegations he punched two men and head-butted a third at R Bar in New Orleans’ Marigny district at approximately 12.45am on 17 February.
Authorities said bar staff had asked the actor to leave after he allegedly became increasingly aggressive.
Police documents stated he directed homophobic slurs at the men involved before the physical confrontation.
One of the men involved, Nathan Thomas Reed, identifies as queer, while another, Jeffrey Damnit, whose legal surname is Klein, recorded video footage of the incident.
The clip reportedly captured Shia using a homophobic slur outside the venue.
The New Orleans case is not the first time Shia has faced legal difficulties.
In 2014, he was arrested following an incident at a Broadway performance in New York, while in 2017 he was arrested in Savannah, Georgia, in a case resulting in another court-ordered rehabilitation programme.
Less than two weeks after the New Orleans arrest, Shia discussed the incident during an interview with the YouTube channel Channel 5.
He said: “I got scared.”
Shia added: “I’m sorry – if that’s homophobic, then I’m that.”
