Vegan nugget startup founder charged with assaulting influencer ex-girlfriend Evelyn Ha

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Ben Pasternak, a tech entrepreneur, faces criminal charges after an incident with influencer Evelyn Ha at a Manhattan hotel on March 31, 2026. He’s been accused of felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault.

Justin Pasternak, age 26, is the founder of Simulate, the company that created Nuggs, the popular vegan chicken nuggets. Before being sold in 2024, Simulate was worth $250 million.

Ha, a 27-year-old Korean-American, creates lifestyle and beauty content online. She’s popular on TikTok, with over 4.4 million followers, and is known as one of the ‘Ha Sisters’ alongside her sisters, Erica and Emily.

What allegedly happened at the Baccarat Hotel

Okay, so from what I’m reading, this whole thing went down at the super fancy Baccarat Hotel in Manhattan – you know, the one where rooms are like two grand a night? Apparently, Ha started recording Pasternak with her phone, and that’s when things kicked off. It sounds like that’s what led to the whole argument, according to the legal papers.

According to court documents, Pasternak choked Ha, leading to injuries that required medical treatment for a red neck, sore throat, and trouble breathing.

She also claims he repeatedly slammed a door on her, causing bruises on her arms and hips.

Pasternak entered a plea of not guilty and was allowed to go free without having to pay bail. The prosecution had asked the court to set bail at $30,000.

Prosecutors in Manhattan also claim that Pasternak was hiding at the hotel to avoid receiving a lawsuit connected to his cryptocurrency company, Believe. Investors accuse him of reducing the value of the platform’s digital coins.

In a video posted on April 23rd, Ha explained the breakup, saying that important boundaries were violated, and she ended the relationship to protect her safety and health.

Josh Kirshner, Pasternak’s lawyer, told the New York Post that his client only acted in self-defense and tried to end the confrontation. He also questioned the truthfulness of Ha’s version of events. Pasternak’s representative further claimed that Ha started the altercation, though these accusations haven’t been proven in court.

The case is ongoing. Pasternak has not been convicted of any crime.

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2026-04-25 18:48