Credit: Primary Wave Music

‘Return of the Mack’ R&B hitmaker Mark Morrison was charged with battery in Florida on Saturday after allegedly pushing the manager of a restaurant in Palm Beach.

According to the police report, Morrison attended Le Bar à Vin on March 22nd and grew agitated at the restaurant’s manager, Nicola Lavacca, about an event he was planning at the venue. He then reportedly began yelling at the manager before pushing him.

However, according to witness reports in the documents obtained by TMZ, the altercation was one-sided, and Lavacca did not fight back. A witness allegedly dispersed the fight and urged Morrison outside before the police arrived and charged him with battery.

Morrison was released on March 23rd, but his attorney is reportedly labelling the incident as “a racially charged confrontation”, saying that the altercation began with Morrison’s frustration at an unpaid fee, but “It […] arose in the context of a racially charged confrontation.”

He added: “At this time, Mr. Morrison and legal counsel are working diligently to ensure that the facts of the case are fully understood and appropriately addressed.”

Morrison has faced several legal disputes throughout his career, notably attempting to take a firearm aboard an airliner at the same time ‘Return of the Mack’ was entering the charts. He was later arrested for not appearing in court. Morrison was also convicted of affray and sentenced to one year in prison after paying a lookalike to do his community service while he began touring.

Other disputes include a driving ban after getting behind the wheel without a license, suspicion of kidnapping and car theft, and assault. However, after Saturday’s incident, Morrison’s attorney claims the singer is cooperating fully with the authorities and feels confident everything will be dealt with smoothly.

Morrison’s best-known hit, ‘Return of the Mack’, became an international hit in 1996, peaking at number one in Canada, America, Zimbabwe, and the UK.