SAN DIEGO – from www.sandiego6.com – Reality show hostess Tila Tequila filed a civil lawsuit this week against San Diego Chargers linebacker Shawne Merriman, accusing him of assault, battery, false imprisonment and emotional distress.

The lawsuit stems from a Sept. 6 incident at the NFL star’s home in Poway, in which Tequila — whose real name is Tila Nguyen — claims Merriman choked her as she tried to leave.

The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages, was first reported early today on the celebrity Web site TMZ.com. It was filed in San Diego.

Sheriff’s deputies took the former Pro Bowl linebacker into custody the night of the incident after Nguyen signed a citizen’s arrest warrant accusing him of battery and false imprisonment. He was released hours later.

District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis declined to press charges, finding there was “insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that any crime was committed.”

The 6-foot-4, 280-pound Merriman said he was protecting the 4-foot-11, 93-pound woman because she was intoxicated and wanted to drive home. Nguyen denied being drunk.

On the same early morning of the attack, the couple was spotted partying at Stingaree nightclub in downtown San Diego, where Nguyen was photographed giving Merriman a lap dance.