Australian actor Russel Crowe is expected to be sued by the Mercer Hotel's employee that he attacked with a phone. Around 4.20 am the actor got into a fight with the employee and threw the phone into the man's face, hurting him.

"He was upset because he couldn't get a call out to Australia," said Sgt. Michael Wysokowski. "He threw a phone at the employee hitting him in the face and causing a minor laceration

The Australian actor could face up to seven years in jail if convicted of assault and possession of a weapon, having failed to settle the case out of court.

Crowe's lawyer, Gerald Lefcourt, said: "Russell Crowe has done everything he can to make amends. He went on national television three times to say he was sorry."

Crowe confessed to David Letterman that the incident was the result of a "combination of jet lag, loneliness and adrenaline". "Not being able to tell your wife that you're home and safe and you're okay is frustrating, particularly with the time thing."