'Orange is the New Black' actress Dascha Polanco charged with assault

NEW YORK -- One of the stars of "Orange is the New Black" is facing assault charges after she was accused of punching and scratching a teenage girl.

Dascha Polanco was arraigned Thursday in Manhattan Criminal Court.

Court papers filed by the district attorney's office say the attack on 17-year-old Michelle Cardona happened inside Polanco's upper Manhattan apartment on July 29. They say Polanco punched the teen several times, pulled her hair and scratched her.

Polanco's attorney, Gerald Lefcourt, says the accusation is an attempt to extort money from the actress. He says he is confident the charges will be dismissed.

The 33-year-old Polanco plays inmate Dayonara Diaz on the Netflix prison drama.

Her next real-life court date is Jan. 28.