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Atlanta police arrested a former NBA ref who assaulted former Atlanta Hawks star Dominique Wilkins following the Hawks game at Phipps Arena Wednesday night.

Rashan S. Michel, 36, told police Wilkins owed him money for 3 suits Wilkins purchased years ago.

Following the game, Michel exchanged words with Wilkins before punching him in the chest and also hitting a security guard. Michel was taken into custody by Atlanta police and charged with one count of simple battery following the incident, Officer K.Y. Jones with Atlanta police told the AJC.

Michel worked as a NBA referee from 1997 to 2001 before falling on hard times. Wilkins was not injured in the incident.

“The fan was promptly arrested and was taken into custody by the Atlanta Police Department,” Hawks spokesman Arthur Triche said in a statement to the AJC. “At this time the Hawks have no additional information or comment regarding this situation.”

Update:

It looks like Mr. Michel got the worst of the exchange. Loyal reader Brenda writes:

Hello, and hope all is well, just wanted to add a lil info to your post about the fight last night well, it was more like a BEAT down! It wasn’t a brief as most think, I was there and I also have the booking photo that shows Rashan got his ass whooped!

Source: AJC

Originally posted on Mar 30, 2011 @ 11:32 p.m.