Brooklyn’s dine-and-dash diva may face deportation after overstaying her visa: sources
Williamsburg’s designer-clad dine-and-dasher, Pei Chung, could potentially face deportation back to her native Taiwan, as she has been in jail since Friday for theft-of-service charges after a spree of bill-skipping at high-end restaurants in Brooklyn. Chung, a 34-year-old aspiring influencer, has hit at least 11 restaurants since October, leading to her arrest and an immigration warrant being issued against her due to overstaying her student visa.
It is likely that Chung will have to appear at a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement hearing after her court appearance on Wednesday. Immigration attorney Gadi Zohar speculates that immigration officers will pick her up from Rikers and take her to an immigration detention center, as the criminal charges triggered the warrant. The details of Chung’s immigration status and work permit in the US are not publicly known.
Chung, known for her designer outfits and luxury lifestyle on Instagram, arrived in the US in 2019 on a scholarship to attend the Pratt Institute until 2021. She claims to have worked as a consultant for Chase Bank in 2023 and as a user experience designer in previous roles. However, her LinkedIn profile indicates her last job was in 2023, and she has not paid rent for her studio apartment in Williamsburg, falling $40,000 behind and facing eviction next month.
Despite her bail being set at $4,500 cash, Chung remains in custody as of Tuesday afternoon. Zohar warns that even if she raises bail, immigration authorities may not release her. Her latest arrest at Mole Mexican Bar and Grill in Williamsburg came after a series of fraudulent dining incidents, including offering sex for a free meal at Peter Luger steakhouse.
Chung’s antics have drawn criticism from restaurant owners and the public, with John Winterman, the owner of Francie, expressing frustration over her repeated offenses. While Chung enjoyed lavish meals like foie gras and carbonara pasta at restaurants, her current menu in jail includes more basic items like “Pizza Pockets” with sides of steamed white cabbage, cucumber salad, and chilled peaches.
In conclusion, Pei Chung’s dine-and-dash escapades have landed her in legal trouble, with the possibility of deportation looming over her. Despite her glamorous facade on social media, Chung now faces the consequences of her actions as she navigates through the criminal justice system and potential immigration proceedings.
