Arnold Schwarzenegger’s legal team wants extra security at his upcoming court hearing, arguing that an opposing attorney’s social-media post publicly revealed exactly when and where the actor is expected to testify.
Attorney Gary Dordick, who represents Cheryl Augustine in her lawsuit against Schwarzenegger over a 2022 car crash, recently posted about the case on Instagram while dressed as the actor’s iconic Terminator character.
Dordick wore leather, sunglasses and held a gun in the image, alongside the caption “I’ll be back” — a reference to Schwarzenegger’s upcoming October court appearance.
The former governor’s attorneys took particular issue with the amount of information included in the post.
According to court documents obtained by the Los Angeles Times, Schwarzenegger’s team says the Instagram post gives the public the date, time, street address, department number and expected duration of his appearance at the courthouse.
His lawyers argued that the post effectively advertises the appearance of one of the world’s most recognizable figures at a specific location and time, while noting that Dordick would not be responsible for what happens if people show up.
The request comes as Schwarzenegger prepares to appear in the legal dispute stemming from his 2022 collision with Augustine.
Augustine is suing Schwarzenegger and alleges that he was driving “wrongfully and recklessly” when the crash occurred. Those allegations are part of the ongoing lawsuit and have not been established as facts.
Dordick has also used his Instagram post to describe the impact he says the crash continues to have on his client. He claims Augustine lives with permanent effects, including ongoing orthopedic and neurological problems as well as changes to her personality and close relationships.
For Schwarzenegger’s legal team, however, the immediate issue is security. They are asking the court to increase protections around his upcoming appearance after the opposing side publicly promoted details of when and where it will happen.
A Terminator-themed post has now become part of the courtroom battle — with Schwarzenegger’s lawyers arguing that the joke came with some very real security concerns.
