Penn 'to be charged with kicking photographer'

Actor Sean Penn faces battery and vandalism charges stemming from an altercation with a photographer in Brentwood last year, California prosecutors said today.

Spokesman Frank Mateljan with the Los Angeles city attorney’s office says the two charges were expected to be filed later today.

A phone message for Penn’s attorney, Barry Hirsch, was not immediately returned.

Mateljan claims Penn kicked a photographer during a scuffle in October. The photographer’s camera also was damaged.

If convicted, Penn could face up to 18 months in jail.