Australian Entrepreneur Accused of Strangling Ex-Girlfriend at Manhattan Hotel
A young entrepreneur from Australia, who gained notability through a successful vegan startup, is facing serious allegations after an incident in a luxurious Manhattan hotel. Ben Pasternak, 26, is accused of strangling his ex-girlfriend, Evelyn Herr, a well-known social media influencer. This arrest occurred amidst claims that he was also evading legal issues related to alleged extortion from investors in a cryptocurrency project.
This past week, New York police detained Pasternak for assault after he purportedly attempted to film his ex-girlfriend with his phone during an incident at the Baccarat Hotel on March 31.
According to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, Pasternak had barricaded himself in the high-end hotel, which costs around $2,000 per night, trying to escape process servers involved in a lawsuit concerning his cryptocurrency startup, Believe.
A criminal complaint indicates that he applied pressure to Ha’s neck, resulting in her seeking medical attention due to pain and breathing difficulties. Additionally, the documents allege that he slammed the door on her multiple times, causing notable bruising on her arms and lower back.
Pasternak was previously known for his plant-based company, Simulate, which he sold in 2024 and was estimated to be worth $250 million, backed by high-profile investors like Jay-Z.
He started the company in 2018 at just 19 years old, aiming to produce appealing products while moving away from traditional and harmful slaughter methods.
In response to the allegations, Pasternak denied wrongdoing, claiming his ex-girlfriend had been the aggressor during their disputes. His spokesperson stated that Ha had been “enraged” during the hotel incident and referred to her behavior as “mentally and physically abusive.” According to the spokesperson, she reportedly threatened him throughout their relationship.
Conversely, Evelyn Herr shared her perspective in a YouTube video, explaining that she ended the relationship out of concern for her safety. “There were significant boundaries that were crossed,” she mentioned, emphasizing her reasons for stepping away.
Herr has around 500,000 subscribers on her channel, where she frequently discusses her life, relationships, and interests.
As for Pasternak, he is currently facing allegations from investors claiming he illegally undermined the value of their investments in his trading platform, Believe. “Consumers lost virtually everything,” said two investors who filed a lawsuit in Manhattan federal court in March.
Pasternak pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree strangulation and misdemeanor assault and was released on his own recognizance. He has a court appearance scheduled for June.
