Authorities arrested the former hostess on Monday for allegedly contaminating a koi pond with feces, according to the New York Post.
Ariel Roman, a former hostess at the upscale downtown Manhattan nightclub TAO, was arrested in connection with a series of alleged incidents. Authorities have charged Roman with theft and criminal damage after she allegedly dumped feces into TAO's koi pond. according to She had been banned from the store for previous misconduct, the New York Post reported.
Former TAO hostess accused of throwing feces into koi pond at New York hotspot arrested for feces dumping https://t.co/IzJZYT3WpG pic.twitter.com/H5AV5SoMlE
— New York Post (@nypost) July 8, 2024
The incident, which occurred late at night on June 2, reportedly caused $3,135 in damages. Additionally, she was arrested outside Manhattan Criminal Court, where she was attending a hearing on a separate harassment case, the outlet reported. She was accused of stalking and repeatedly messaging a TAO-affiliated promoter, but pleaded not guilty.
Roman claims his actions and subsequent allegations stemmed from his attempts to expose sexual assault and unethical behavior by TAO promoters. He told the New York Post that his whistle-blowing activism made him the target of false reports and anonymous threats, suggesting a conspiracy to silence him. (Related article: Cameraman sues famous rapper for hostile work environment and unpaid wages)
“That's my desperation,” she said of her allegedly polluting the koi pond. “That's what prompted me to try and do something to get on the news for TAO. [poop throw] “I'm in despair because no one is taking responsibility.”
TAIPEI, TAIWAN – AUGUST 25: Carp fish in Zhuzihu (also known as Zhuyu Lake) in Beitou, Taipei City, Taiwan on August 25, 2023 in Taipei City, Taiwan. (Photo by Eric Lafforgue/Art in All of Us/Corbis via Getty Images)
In addition to her legal troubles, Roman also faces assault charges in an unrelated incident at Hersey Nightclub, where she threw a bottle and injured someone, the outlet reported. The incident adds to her past confrontational behavior, and she was previously arrested on aggravated harassment charges outside the Nebula Nightclub.
Her story has been complicated by personal trauma, including a break-up with the promoter of TAO, where she claims she was threatened and assaulted, the New York Post reported. Roman's case gained attention on social media, and she spoke out about her experience, garnering support from others who have made similar allegations against the nightclub promoter.
