Taco Del Mar owner won’t face charges

Assault and burglary charges against a Spokane restaurant owner were dismissed three days before the case was set to go to trial.

Manjinder “Matt” Rai, 30, was accused in June of assaulting an employee who worked at the Taco Del Mar he owns. Natalie Lemery said Rai entered her residence, threw her against the wall, pushed her down on a futon and choked her on the night of June 2.

But Lemery’s roommate, Aaron Stafford, said in a court affidavit that he was home all evening with Lemery and her boyfriend, Damon Simmons, and Rai never entered their residence. According to court documents, Stafford said Rai fired Lemery over the phone. After that, documents state, Lemery asked her boyfriend to break her TV and scratch her neck to make it look like Rai had attacked her.

Stafford also said the hole police found in the wall had been there since before he moved in.

Charges against Rai were dismissed Oct. 24. Rai said Lemery made up the incident after he fired her.

“Domestic violence is a serious issue, but that’s all the more reason why false allegations by disgruntled employees should be examined before charges are filed,” said Rai’s attorney, Jason Johnson.

The Spokane County prosecutor’s office did not return a call seeking comment.