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Richard Wershe's attorney claims alleged assault of girlfriend in Miami is false

Posted at 3:57 PM, May 10, 2023
and last updated 2023-05-11 08:34:07-04

(WXYZ) — Richard Wershe, who is known as White Boy Rick, is facing a felony and a misdemeanor charge after being arrested Tuesday in Miami, Florida.

The 53-year-old is known to Detroiters for serving more than three decades for a non-violent drug crime.

WATCH: Full interview with Rick Wershe

His arrest on Tuesday comes after a woman filed a police report claiming he punched her at his Florida condo.

Wershe has been charged with a felony robbery account and a misdemeanor battery account. He was given a $1,500 bond at his arraignment.

According to the police report, Wershe was arrested after allegedly attacking his girlfriend on Saturday following an argument during sex.

The woman told police she is not a citizen and didn’t come forward immediately because of her immigration status.

According to the report, Wershe said the name of another woman while the two were together. That's when the victim moved to get out of the bed, at which point Wershe grabbed her left arm and snatched a diamond bracelet and necklace he had bought her.

The police report says the woman managed to get free, but Wershe caught up to her and punched her. There was a witness who reported seeing the punch.

The report also says when the woman was at the police station, Wershe rushed in looking for his keys.

However, attorney Nabih Ayad who represents Wershe says the story is false.

“This individual robbed him. When he told her bring back my watch, she refused. When he told her bring back my watch or I’m going to the police, she beat him to the punch and filed a fake report that he punched her. It’s unfortunate and we have text messages to that effect. We intend to file a motion to dismiss for lack of probable cause and show the court this was a fake police report that was made and this individual indeed robbed him as opposed to being a victim,” Ayad said.

The attorney also says he called a high-ranking police official to ask how to handle the situation as soon as it took place.

Wershe is free after paying $500 toward bond and is due back in court on June 8.

Wershe spent more than 30 years behind bars after being arrested in 1987. He was released in 2020.