Orange Is the New Black star Dascha Polanco appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court in New York on Thursday, Dec. 3, for allegedly punching a 17-year-old girl.
According to court documents first obtained by Page Six, Polanco faces four counts of assault and harassment for allegedly assaulting a teen named Michelle Cardona this past July.
Cardona claims that Polanco, 33, punched her in the head, pulled her hair, and scratched her arm with her fingernails while hanging out with her at the actress’ home in Manhattan. The teen claims there were “bruising and redness to her face, scratches to her arms, and substantial pain,” and that she allegedly went to the hospital to get treatment.
However, according to the star’s lawyer, Gerald Lefcourt, Polanco is being extorted.
“It’s a setup to try to get money and it was tape-recorded,” Lefcourt told Page Six. “This young woman was trying to extort her to drop the case. We’re confident the charges will be dismissed.”
