Ex 'Scandal' Star Columbus Short Pleads No Contest in Assault Case – Gets Three Years Probation

Columbus Short was immediately sentenced to community service and is being made to attend anger management classes

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Former Scandal actor Columbus Short has pleaded no contest to punching a man out at a restaurant in L.A. last year, PEOPLE can confirm.

The 33-year-old actor pleaded to an amended felony count of assault likely to cause great bodily injury, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced on Thursday.

Although he has avoided jail time, Short was sentenced to three years formal probation, 60 days of community service and has also been ordered to attend and complete 26 anger management classes.

Last year, Short told Access Hollywood Live that substance abuse was to blame for his problems.

He revealed: "I'll be candid. I was struggling with drugs, I had a lot on my plate, and you know, I was using unhealthy ways to kind of self-medicate and deal with a lot of heavy duty stuff in my life."

Asked what types of drugs he was using, the actor said "real drugs" like cocaine. He also added that he was drinking alcohol to "balance a 16-hour work schedule a day, and a family, and, I just lost myself back then."

Short was given credit for serving 12 days in county jail and has been ordered to pay restitution. The amount will be determined at a hearing on Oct. 21.

Following his arrest last year, Short's wife, Tuere Tanee Short, filed for divorce from the actor and was also granted a temporary restraining order, according to documents filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.

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