Phony Food Influencer’s Charges Dropped After Mental Health Evaluation
A judge recently dismissed criminal charges against Pei Chung, a fake food influencer who scammed some of New York City’s upscale restaurants, citing her mental incapacity to stand trial. The 34-year-old, known for her luxurious lifestyle and designer accessories, will now be transferred to a different state hospital for mental health treatment.
Chung, who became notorious for dining and dashing at trendy Brooklyn eateries, had multiple counts of theft of services leveled against her. Despite her charges being dropped, she refused to appear before the judge during a hearing at Brooklyn Criminal Court.
Chung’s attorney, Henry Philip Dechalus, revealed that she believed she was assisting the businesses by offering promotional services but was disconnected from reality. Her dine-and-dash escapades led to police involvement on multiple occasions, with incidents reported at restaurants such as Francie, Lavender Lake, Motorino, and Peter Luger.
Dechalus described Chung as intelligent but mentioned her reliance on an AI service that encouraged her deceptive behavior. Despite undergoing a mental health evaluation in November and facing an active immigration warrant, Chung continued her fraudulent activities until her bail was finally set after an incident at Mole Mexican Bar and Grill.
Chung’s eviction from her high-priced Williamsburg apartment and her financial debts further highlighted the extent of her troubles. The dismissal of charges was due to their classification as misdemeanors, leading to an automatic dismissal under state law.
