Celebrity chef Justin Sutherland is facing criminal charges for allegedly threatening to shoot his girlfriend and squeezing her neck, according to court documents obtained by Page Six.
Police arrested the “Top Chef” alum, 39, on Friday in St. Paul, Minn., and he was charged with one count of felony threats of violence — reckless disregard risk, according to a statement of probable cause.
The criminal complaint claims the victim told police that Sutherland pointed a gun at her and struck her in the chest with it, allegedly shouting, “Don’t come back here or I am going to shoot you.”
The woman, whose name is anonymous in light of the alleged domestic violence, further claimed to officers that the “Fast Foodies” star put his hands around her neck and squeezed for several seconds.
While he allegedly strangled her, Sutherland said, “I could kill you,” according to the probable cause document.
The complaint also states Sutherland denied making threats against his girlfriend.
Sutherland’s attorney, John Daly, claimed the woman’s allegations are “riddled with falsehoods.”
“Mr. Sutherland vehemently denies all the allegations in the complaint,” Daly told People in a statement. “He never threatened to shoot anyone. He did not physically assault his girlfriend. He looks forward to the truth coming out as the court process unfolds.”
Daly claimed the woman made the accusations upon realizing the “relationship was coming to an end.”
Sutherland is the chef behind several well-known restaurants in the Twin Cities such as the Handsome Hog, Big E and Gray Duck Tavern.
Last month, he announced plans to open new restaurants in the area in the fall.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.