In recent developments, Brooklyn authorities have taken Pei Chung, a 34-year-old woman, into custody on theft-of-service charges. She allegedly left a trail of unpaid bills at numerous high-end restaurants across Brooklyn. With at least 11 upscale dining establishments reporting incidents since October, Chung's pattern of behavior has caught the attention of both local businesses and law enforcement.
The Department of Corrections website indicates that Chung, originally from Taiwan, holds an immigration warrant. Sources confirm that she previously arrived in the United States on a student visa to attend Pratt Institute, studying there until 2021. Her legal status became questionable following the expiration of her visa. Immigration attorney Gadi Zohar provided insights to the New York Post, explaining that Chung's recent criminal charges likely prompted the issuance of the immigration warrant. According to Zohar, Chung will probably be transferred from Rikers Island to an immigration detention facility and is required to appear at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement hearing.
The case gained notoriety after Chung's arrest last Friday at Mole Mexican Bar and Grill on Kent Avenue, where she allegedly refused to pay a $149 bill. This incident marked her seventh arrest, and despite a set bail of $4,500, she remained in custody as of the latest reports. Her arrest highlighted her social media presence, where she showcases a lifestyle of designer accessories, and her previous employment as a Senior User Experience Designer at Chase bank in 2023.
Chung's financial troubles extend beyond restaurant bills. Court documents show she owed $40,000 in rent for a studio apartment in a luxury Williamsburg building, owned by former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer. With an expired lease and an imminent eviction order, her current legal challenges may prevent her from addressing these civil matters in a timely fashion.
Local restaurant owners, such as John Winterman of Francie, have expressed frustration over the dine-and-dash incidents. The New York Post quoted Winterman's reaction, stating, "I don’t think entitlement is a strong enough word." The string of alleged dine-and-dash episodes includes establishments like Hole in the Wall and 12 Chairs, with evidence of her actions captured in social media posts and surveillance footage.
As the story unfolds, Chung's situation serves as a complex interplay of alleged criminal behavior, immigration policy, and the use of social media to project a certain lifestyle. The implications of her case may influence local business protocols and highlight the need for stricter enforcement of visa regulations.
