A dentist in Florida accused of beating a doctor with a golf club during a dispute that arose over pedestrian traffic on a golf cart pathway at a country club was found not guilty, according to a story published on February 11 by Fox35 Orlando.
Dr. Eddie Orobitg, owner of Eddie C. Orobitg, DMD, in Leesburg, FL, was cleared of a felony count of aggravated battery after a judge found he acted in self-defense when he reportedly struck Dr. Joseph Sivak, a psychiatrist, with a golf club at a high-end course in April 2023.
The ruling was made after the judge found that Sivak's testimony lacked credibility. The state's unique and controversial Stand Your Ground law, which allows people to use force, including deadly force, if they believe it's warranted to prevent death or serious bodily harm, protects Orobitg, 54, from potential civil suits, according to the story.
Sivak, 58, sustained multiple injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, five fractured ribs, and a split ear lobe from the attack.
Prior to the ruling, Orobitg offered to pay Sivak $50,000 and participate in a Veteran's Treatment Court Program in exchange for him agreeing to drop the criminal charges. Sivak refused because the plea deal included a clause in which Orobitg wouldn't admit guilt, according to the story.
On April 30, 2023, Orobitg was golfing with his minor son when Sivak and his wife walked along a pathway of the golf course. Sivak told authorities that Orobitg reportedly told the couple that the path was for golf carts, not pedestrians, and they were violating the club's rules.
An argument ensued between Sivak and Orobitg. Then, according to Sivak, Orobitg struck him on the leg with a golf club. The altercation became physical with Orobitg purportedly hitting Sivak on the head with a golf club.
Sivak claimed that he struck Orobitg on the head to defend himself. Sivak said the dentist struck him several more times, according to the warrant. When the authorities arrived, Sivak was covered in blood and could not complete a written statement, according to the warrant.
Orobitg told authorities that he asked the couple to get off the cart pathway. The dentist said the physical fight began after Sivak hit him with a water bottle and tried to take his golf clubs so that he could use them as weapons. Orobitg reportedly continued to strike Sivak to prevent him from attacking him or his son, according to authorities.
Orobitg's child told sheriff's officers that after his father told the couple to get out of the way of their golf cart, his dad and Sivak began arguing. The altercation accelerated after Orobitg allegedly spat in Sivak’s face, prompting Sivak to do the same.
The child said Sivak pushed his father, which led Orobitg to accidentally strike the physician with the golf club. The men began a physical altercation. The child allegedly said his father, Orobitg, hit Sivak with a golf club several times, even while Sivak was on the ground, according to the warrant.
Sivak's wife corroborated her husband's statement, noting that the fight did not get physical until Orobitg spat in her husband's face, authorities stated.
