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Evelyn Ha finally speaks out after her ex, Ben Pasternak, faced serious charges following their brutal breakup. The 26-year-old vegan startup mogul was arrested on April 21 and charged with felony strangulation and assault. Now the 27-year-old influencer is breaking her silence about what really happened that devastating March 31 night.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Arrest Date: April 21, 2026 at Baccarat Hotel in Manhattan
- Charges: Second-degree strangulation (felony) plus misdemeanor assault with intent to cause injury
- Incident Date: March 31, 2026, same night their 3-year relationship ended
- Victim Statement: Evelyn Ha reported neck bruising, breathing difficulty, and arm/hip bruises from door slamming
She Left for Her Own Safety, Evelyn Ha Reveals
Evelyn Ha posted a YouTube video on Thursday revealing her side of the shocking incident. The Korean-American vlogger, who has over 530,000 YouTube subscribers, explained why she decided to leave Ben Pasternak that fateful March night.
‘There were serious boundaries that were crossed, and I decided to move away from that relationship for the sake of my safety and my wellbeing,’ Ha stated calmly in her video address. She emphasized the decision was hers alone, made to protect herself during an increasingly toxic situation that she says escalated inside their Manhattan hotel room.
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Ben Pasternak Denies Charges, Claims Self-Defense
Pasternak’s legal team fired back immediately with a completely opposite narrative. His attorney Joshua Kirschner told reporters that his client is ‘innocent’ and acted only in ‘lawful self-defense.’ The 26-year-old Australian entrepreneur pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to both charges in Manhattan court.
Pasternak’s spokeswoman Dini von Mueffling made shocking counter-accusations, claiming that Ha ‘flew into a rage’ and attacked him first. She alleged the relationship was physically abusive, calling Ha ’emotionally and physically abusive, very jealous, and threatened him if he ever dared leave the relationship.’ The defense painted a very different picture of events that night at the luxury Baccarat Hotel.
The Baccarat Hotel Incident, Detailed in Court Documents
| Detail | What Prosecutors Claim Happened |
| Location | Baccarat Hotel on West 53rd Street, Midtown Manhattan |
| Date | March 31, 2026, same day as their breakup |
| Alleged Actions | Pasternak allegedly squeezed Ha’s neck with both hands, causing redness, throat pain, and breathing problems |
| Additional Injuries | Ha suffered substantial bruising on both arms and hips from door slamming |
| Medical Attention | Ha sought immediate medical attention for her injuries |
The $2,000-per-night hotel became the center of a domestic violence accusation that shocked the entertainment and startup worlds. According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, Pasternak had been staying at the ritzy Midtown hotel while allegedly dodging service in a separate crypto fraud lawsuit from investors in his Believe token platform.
‘It’s still really raw for me to be completely honest, and right now I’m just spending time with friends and family and just trying to take everything day by day, hour by hour, and just try my best to just be in the moment.’
— Evelyn Ha, YouTube video statement (April 2026)
Who Is Ben Pasternak, The Vegan Startup Mogul?
Ben Pasternak’s arrest shocked Silicon Valley. The Australian-born entrepreneur dropped out of high school at 16 to build companies and quickly became a tech sensation. His plant-based nugget company Simulate was once valued at a staggering $250 million, earning the nickname ‘the Tesla of Chicken’ from industry insiders.
Pasternak was released on his own recognizance despite prosecutors requesting $30,000 bail. He’s scheduled to return to Manhattan Criminal Court on June 11 for his next appearance. Beyond this assault case, he’s also facing a federal lawsuit from Believe crypto investors who claim they lost nearly everything when he allegedly diluted their token value.
What Are the Legal Consequences Evelyn Ha’s Case Could Face?
The charges against Pasternak carry serious penalties. Second-degree strangulation is a felony that can result in years of prison time if convicted. The misdemeanor assault charge adds additional legal exposure for the startup founder. Legal experts say these charges reflect the severity of Ha’s reported injuries and the violence alleged inside that hotel room.
Evelyn Ha’s decision to speak out publicly marks a turning point in the case. By breaking her silence, the influencer has shifted the narrative and signaled she intends to cooperate with prosecutors. Her YouTube statement emphasizing her fear for her safety directly contradicts Pasternak’s self-defense claims and could prove crucial during any future trial proceedings.
Sources
- People.com – Exclusive coverage of Ben Pasternak’s arrest and Evelyn Ha charging details from court documents
- New York Post – In-depth reporting on the Baccarat Hotel incident and Pasternak’s crypto fraud lawsuit
- New York Criminal Court Records – Official court documents detailing charges and plea entered on April 21, 2026
