Mohit Singh
|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Australian tech entrepreneur Ben Pasternak, 26, founder of plant-based food startup Simulate and the social platform Believe, was arrested in New York City on April 22, 2026, and charged with one count of second-degree strangulation and two counts of assault with intent to cause physical injury charges stemming from an alleged incident on March 31, 2026 in a case widely tied to his former girlfriend, Korean-American social media influencer Evelyn Ha.
Ben Pasternak–Evelyn Ha Controversy: Arrest, Allegations & Court Hearing Details
The Ben Pasternak–Evelyn Ha Controversy escalated into a formal legal matter on April 22, 2026, when Australian entrepreneur Ben Pasternak, 26 best known as the founder of the plant-based food company Simulate and the social media app Believe was arrested in New York City and charged with one count of second-degree strangulation and two counts of assault with intent to cause physical injury, according to New York criminal court documents. Pasternak pleaded not guilty to all charges at his initial appearance and was released on supervised release, with his next court date set for June 11, 2026, in New York Criminal Court. The alleged incident occurred on March 31, 2026 the same date, per court documents, on which Pasternak’s relationship with social media influencer Evelyn Ha ended.
Ben Pasternak–Evelyn Ha Controversy: Who Are the Individuals Involved?
Ben Pasternak is a 26-year-old Australian entrepreneur who built his public profile first in the technology sector as a teenage app developer before pivoting to the food industry. His company Simulate, maker of the NUGGS brand of plant-based chicken nuggets, reached a valuation of approximately $250 million at its peak. Pasternak subsequently founded the social media app Believe, which became widely associated with the crypto token $BELIEVE.
Evelyn Ha is a 27-year-old Korean-American YouTube vlogger and social media influencer with a significant online following. She and Pasternak reportedly began dating in August 2024, with Ha first introducing him to her audience as her “Mystery Man” in a September 2024 YouTube video. The couple had been acquainted for several years before their relationship became public.
Ben Pasternak–Evelyn Ha Controversy: Charges Explained
The Ben Pasternak–Evelyn Ha Controversy carries two distinct criminal charges under New York law:
1. Second-Degree Strangulation (Felony): Under New York Penal Law, second-degree strangulation involves restricting a person’s breathing or blood circulation through pressure on the neck in a manner that causes physical injury. Court documents allege that Pasternak placed his hands around the victim’s neck and applied pressure, restricting breathing and blood flow, during the March 31 incident at a Manhattan hotel. As a violent felony, this charge carries potential sentencing of several years in prison if a conviction is reached.
2. Assault with Intent to Cause Physical Injury (Misdemeanor): This charge addresses additional alleged acts of physical harm beyond the strangulation, occurring on the same date. Misdemeanor assault in New York carries its own criminal penalties, including potential jail time, fines, and a criminal record.
Both charges remain allegations. No court has reached a final determination in this matter.
Ben Pasternak–Evelyn Ha Controversy: Pasternak’s Defense Position
Pasternak’s legal team and representatives have moved firmly to contest the Ben Pasternak–Evelyn Ha Controversy charges. His attorney, Joshua Kirschner, stated in a formal release: “Based on our independent investigation, the allegations mischaracterize what occurred. We expect the facts to demonstrate that these charges are unwarranted.”
PR executive Dini von Mueffling, speaking on Pasternak’s behalf, stated: “Ben unilaterally denies the accusation Evelyn Ha has made against him.” Pasternak’s team also claims he acted in self-defense and suggests that Ha was the aggressor during the encounter a characterization Ha’s public statements do not support.
Evelyn Ha Speaks Out on the Controversy
Following Pasternak’s arrest, Evelyn Ha addressed the Ben Pasternak–Evelyn Ha Controversy publicly through a YouTube video, confirming the end of her relationship and citing serious concerns about her safety and well-being. Ha stated that the relationship ended because “serious boundaries were crossed,” without elaborating further on the specific details of the alleged incident.
Ha did not explicitly name herself as the victim in Pasternak’s criminal charges in her public statements. Court documents reviewed by PEOPLE also did not name Ha as the alleged victim — though internet users and media reports have widely identified her as the individual named in the complaint based on publicly available context.
Resurfaced Video Footage and Online Reaction
The Ben Pasternak–Evelyn Ha Controversy drew further public attention when old YouTube videos featuring the couple resurfaced following Pasternak’s arrest. In one clip, Pasternak is heard asking Ha: “Would you rather we go swimming in the pool over there, and I hold your head underwater, and you die?” remarks that drew alarm among viewers re-watching older content through the lens of the current allegations.
Another resurfaced clip showed Pasternak pushing Ha onto a bed with force, after which Ha can be heard saying: “That’s abusive.” Additional old footage showed Pasternak making critical remarks about Ha’s appearance, to which she responded: “I just feel scared.” These clips prompted significant online discussion, with many commenters suggesting they reflected concerning behavioral patterns prior to the alleged March 31 incident.
Ben Pasternak–Evelyn Ha Controversy: Separate Crypto Lawsuit
In addition to the criminal charges at the center of the Ben Pasternak–Evelyn Ha Controversy, Pasternak separately faces a civil lawsuit filed by investors in connection with an alleged cryptocurrency scheme. Attorney Max Burwick filed the investor suit, claiming a “coordinated campaign” involving multiple crypto tokens including $PASTERNAK, $LAUNCHCOIN, and $BELIEVE the latter closely tied to his social media platform.
This civil proceeding is independent of the criminal assault case and proceeds on its own legal track. Details of the civil case outcome are not publicly disclosed at this stage.
Ben Pasternak–Evelyn Ha Controversy: June 11 Court Date
The next formal step in the Ben Pasternak–Evelyn Ha Controversy legal proceedings is a court appearance scheduled for June 11, 2026, before the New York Criminal Court. Pasternak currently remains on supervised release following his April 22 arrest.
The case remains in its early pre-trial phase, and no evidentiary hearings or plea deals have been publicly reported as scheduled prior to June 11. Both the prosecution and defense are expected to present preliminary motions and case strategies at the June hearing.