Paulina Rubio accused of assault by former assistant

Paulina Rubio got slapped with a lawsuit for slapping an employee, E! Online reports. Felipe Restrapo Betancur filed a $250,000 claim for assault and battery a few days after quitting as Rubio's assistant.

Betancur claims the Mexican pop singer freaked out when he booked her a last minute flight in -- wait for it -- coach. (The horror.) The lawsuit claims Rubio "struck the Plaintiff with her fists, and verbally abused Plaintiff calling him names."

Throughout the following weekend, Paulina allegedly "punched, slapped and kicked Plaintiff causing him abrasions and contusions on his shins and arms."

It's not likely Betancur will ask Rubio for a reference, but perhaps one of Naomi Campbell's former employees could give him a referral.