Richard Simmons Assault Case Dismissed

MAY 25--Arrested in March for b-slapping a Harley Davidson salesman/ex-con/cage wrestler at an Arizona airport, Richard Simmons is now officially in the legal clear. A misdemeanor assault charge against the diet guru, 54, was dismissed last Friday by a Phoenix judge, according to the below Municipal Court records. The dismissal came as part of a "misdemeanor compromise" requested last week by slapee Chris Farney and signed off on by the city prosecutor. Such a compromise can include monetary compensation for the victim, but Simmons's lawyer, James Nesci, declined to say whether Farney, 23, was paid. Citing a confidentiality agreement, Farney told TSG he could not discuss terms of his settlement with Simmons. We're guessing Farney opted for a little green instead of a protracted litigation that surely would have dredged up his rap sheet and the nearly three years he spent in prison for an aggravated assault conviction (a buddy was seriously injured when a drugged-up Farney crashed his car). Simmons was busted following a confrontation with Farney--pictured at left in an Arizona Department of Corrections mug shot--at the Sky Harbor International Airport. The trouble started when Farney (6' 1" and 255 pounds) spotted Simmons (5' 7", 155 pounds) and called out, "Look, Richard Simmons. Drop your bags, let's rock to the 50's." According to a Phoenix Police Department incident report, Simmons responded by walking over to Farney and announcing, "It's not nice to make fun of people with issues." He then slapped Farney in the kisser. The motorcycle salesman then called the cops, who popped Simmons for assault. (3 pages)