By Nick Patch, The Canadian Press

TORONTO - The lawyer for Black Eyed Peas manager Liborio (Polo) Molina says he hopes his client's case involving celebrity blogger Perez Hilton will be dealt with in court on Wednesday.

Molina faces an assault charge for allegedly striking Hilton outside a Toronto nightclub on June 22.

Molina's lawyer says he expects the manager to make his first appearance in court on Wednesday at 9 a.m. ET.

Molina allegedly punched Hilton - whose real name is Mario Lavandeira - following a heated argument between the blogger and Black Eyed Peas leader will.i.am at a party after the MuchMusic Video Awards.

In the ensuing days, Hilton and will.i.am insulted each other in videos online and Hilton also filed a civil lawsuit against Molina, in which the celebrity blogger sued for alleged battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress and is seeking more than US$25,000.

The suit states Hilton is seeking to protect his rights to free speech and claims Molina attacked him because he made critical comments about the Black Eyed Peas' new album, "The E.N.D." The allegations have not been proven in court.