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LAPD Says Woman In Playboy Model's Gym Photo Must Come Forward For Investigation To Continue
Police are looking for the unknown woman featured in the now infamous photo taken by model Dani Mathers at L.A. Fitness. As you probably know, 2015 Playmate of the Year Dani Mathers took a photo of a nude woman showering at the gym without the woman's knowledge or consent, and then posted it to her Snapchat with a rude comment about the woman's body. She later fauxpologized by claiming she had only meant to send the photo to a friend, not broadcast it to all of her followers. It turns out that Mathers' alleged actions are not only morally reprehensible, but count as a misdemeanor as well. Police are investigating the "illegal distribution" of the image, and a Change.org petition currently has 26,000 signatures from people who want Mathers prosecuted. However, LAPD Officer Jenny Houser said that if they can't identify the victim, they cannot move forward with their investigation into Mathers' actions, the L.A. Times reports.
So, the woman will need to contact police for any further action against Mathers to take place. And it is very possible that this woman, whose privacy has already been violated, does not want to come forward. Should she choose, she may do so by going to any police station or contacting Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS (8477).
Though legal justice may be stalled or never come to fruition, internet justice has been severe. Mathers has been called every name in the book and has deleted or made private several social media accounts. L.A. Fitness has not only revoked Mathers' membership from the Universal City gym where the incident took place, but banned her from every branch of their gym.
In a statement sent to LAist, L.A Fitness' Executive Vice President of Operations Jill Greuling wrote:
We have identified the person who took this photo as a member. Her behavior is appalling and puts every member at risk of losing their privacy. Her membership has been permanently revoked, at all of our health clubs, and law enforcement has been notified. Our written rules are very clear: Cell phone usage and photography are prohibited in the locker rooms. This is not only our rule, but common decency.
Mathers was also suspended from a gig on radio station KLOS's "Heidi and Frank" show. Finally making headlines and going viral for a cruel, indefensible act is probably not what she had in mind for her career. So, regardless of whether not or not her victim elects to come forward, Mathers is already having a terrible July.
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