Full Breakdown
Ben Pasternak Charged with Strangulation Amid Ongoing Crypto Investor Lawsuit
4/27/2026, 11:46:50 AM
Incident and Criminal Charges
Australian entrepreneur Ben Pasternak, 26, was arrested in New York and charged with one count of second-degree strangulation (a felony) and two assault counts for an alleged March 31 incident at the Baccarat Hotel, West 53rd Street, Manhattan. Prosecutors allege he squeezed influencer Evelyn Ha, causing neck redness, throat pain, breathing difficulty and bruising after slamming a door. He pleaded not guilty at an April 21 arraignment and was released on his own recognizance despite a $30,000 bail request.
Business Background and Investor Litigation
Pasternak founded Simulate, a plant-based food company once valued at $250 million, and sold it in late 2024. He later launched the token launchpad Believe. A lawsuit filed March 23 in New York alleges investors were misled about tokens $PASTERNAK, $LAUNCHCOIN and $BELIEVE, holdings were diluted by 33 percent, and buybacks failed, prompting Joshua Lee and Pierre Montmeas to claim “consumers lost nearly everything.”
Victim’s Account and Reported Injuries
Ha, a YouTube creator, posted a video saying she left Pasternak after “serious boundaries were crossed.” She reported neck redness, throat pain, breathing difficulty and bruising on her arms and hips, for which she sought medical care.
Official Statements & Responses
Pasternak’s lawyer Joshua Kirshner told reporters the founder “acted in lawful self-defense” and called Ha’s account “inconsistent and unsupported.” Spokeswoman Dini von Mueffling said Ha “flew into a rage,” physically attacked Pasternak and was “emotionally and physically abusive, very jealous, and threatened him.” The investor complaint cites loss from token dilution and failed buybacks.
Criticism, Investor Allegations, and Opposition
Investor complaints describe a marketing campaign that inflated token demand before price collapses, leaving retail holders with near-total loss. Max Burwick of Burwick Law said his team is “personally concerned by reports of domestic violence involving Ben Pasternak.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The criminal complaint portrays Pasternak as the aggressor, while his team asserts Ha initiated the encounter. No independent medical report has been released, leaving injury details unverified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “‘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
- “Ben unilaterally denies the accusation Evelyn Ha has made against him.” — Dini von Mueffling, PR executive
- “Our team is personally concerned by the public reports of domestic violence involving Ben Pasternak,” — Max Burwick, founder, Burwick Law
- “is innocent and acted in lawful self-defense,” — Joshua Kirshner, attorney
What’s Next
Pasternak will appear before Manhattan Criminal Court on June 11; the federal class-action against Believe continues in New York, with discovery and potential settlement discussions ongoing.
