An influencer’s ex-boyfriend has been charged with assault and strangulation – with the crime allegedly occurring on the same night they broke up.
Australian entrepreneur Ben Pasternak – former partner of Evelyn Ha – has pleaded not guilty to the charges facing him.
The 26-year-old was arrested on 21 Apr by the New York Police Department, as reported by Need To Know.
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Ha, 27, has since taken to social media to express that she is no longer in a relationship.
The influencer, who has 2.6m Instagram followers, addressed fans on Thursday (23 Apr).
Pasternak stands charged with one count of second-degree strangulation and one count of assault with intent to cause physical injury.
His representative, Dini von Mueffling, stated the break-up took place on 31 Mar – the same date as the alleged assault.
“As Ben Pasternak’s friend of a decade, as well as someone who represents survivors of sexual assault, I am writing this statement on his behalf. Ben unilaterally denies the accusation Evelyn Ha has made against him,” a statement by Mueffling read in court documents obtained by PEOPLE.
Pasternak is set to appear in court on 11 Jun.
In a vlog, Ha said: “I just wanted to clear the speculation that’s been going online and let you guys know that I’m no longer in a relationship.
She added: “It’s still really raw for me to be completely honest and right now I am just spending time with friends and family and just trying to take everything day by day, hour by hour and try my best to just be in the moment.
“That’s all I can talk about right now.”
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