HOLLYWOOD—The co-founder of Pinkberry, a frozen yogurt chain was sentenced on March 14 after being convicted for beating a homeless man with a tire iron back in 2011.
Young Lee, 49, was sentenced to seven years in state prison, which, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, was the maximum term that Lee could have received. Lee also faces a restitution hearing on May 14.
The incident that landed Lee in jail occurred in 2011, when he attacked a transient named Donald Bolding on the Vermont Avenue off-ramp of the 101 freeway. Bolding had reportedly flashed a sexually explicit tattoo at Lee and his fianca while they drove by in their Land Rover.
This prompted Lee to assault Bolding with the tire iron, causing a broken arm and cuts to Bolding’s head, according to the District Attorney’s Office. It was only after several good Samaritans were able separate the two men that Bolding escaped the assault.
Lee was convicted of the assault in November 2013 after the jury took just two days to deliver the verdict. Bolding previously filed a civil suit against Lee in May 2012. The suit was continued until the results of the criminal trial had been established, and it did demand a jury trial once that occurred.
