TV Reporter Beat Up By Subjects Of Investigation

(KUTV) LA JOLLA, Calif. - A television reporter was severely beaten on-camera Tuesday, when he confronted a couple during a fraud investigation. A woman shouted obscenities at the camera crew before her husband started a physical assault.

The incident began on Tuesday in La Jolla, California. XETV reporter John Mattes was following up on an investigation that examined people using stolen identities to buy real estate. Mattes is known in the Los Angeles area for his tenacity in tracking down cases of consumer fraud and deception.

At first, Mattes confronted Rosa Suleiman, who had been a subject of his investigation for several weeks. Immediately, she was uncooperative.

"You didn't have enough with what you aired?" a clearly agitated Suleiman shouted. "Stop the f---ing camera right now... why are you doing this?"

After throwing water at the camera, Suleiman slapped Mattes across the face with her water bottle -- to which he replied, "that's not appropriate."

Suleiman replied, "I don't give a s---. I'm going to put you on the other side of the country."

As the cameraman followed her toward her vehicle, she turned around and threw her water bottle at the camera and shouted "stop it... I'm going to break the f---ing camera!"

Moments later, Suleiman's husband, Sam, arrived at the scene and immediately went after Mattes. He, too, had been the subject of the reporter's investigation. After punching Mattes in the face, Suleiman wrestled with the reporter for several minutes until crew members were able to restrain him. Police later arrived and arrested the couple.

The assault left Mattes with a bloody face. He was taken to the emergency room for treatment and released.

Both the husband and wife had reportedly been making threats against Mattes for weeks. Each faces charges of assault.

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