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NEW YORK (Reuters) - Film director Quentin Tarantino, who is being sued by a fashion stylist after allegedly slugging her in a brawl, now faces criminal charges in the case, police said Thursday.  Tarantino surrendered to police in New York's East Village and was charged with assault. He will appear at a later date before a judge at Manhattan Criminal Court, where he will be formally arraigned. If convicted, he faces up to a year in jail.  Leila Mwangi, 25, filed a civil lawsuit last month in Manhattan Supreme Court alleging Tarantino hit her May 2 with a blow intended for her photographer boyfriend, Barron Clairborne, at a restaurant in the East Village. The civil suit seeks $5 million in compensatory damages and $10 million in punitive damages. Tarantino's credits as a director include "Reservoir Dogs" and "Pulp Fiction," which won him an Oscar as co-screenwriter. He is starring on Broadway in a revival of the thriller "Wait Until Dark" opposite Marisa Tomei and has received scathing reviews for his performance.
Tarantino could not be reached for comment.

Reuters/Variety ^REUTERS@