The Los Angeles city attorney has charged a group of popular TikTok creators for partying. The Verge has reported that the group violated Covid-19 health restrictions in the city.
Although not directly related to the app itself this is more bad news for the platform. Potentially this could be used by Trump as another stick to beat the platform with following his decision to ban the app due to its link to China. However, Microsoft’s potential takeover of the company has marginally tamed his approach to the app.
All in all, though this is a bad PR moment for these creators and the app itself. Los Angeles city attorney Mike Feuer has charged four people, including TikTok creators Bryce Hall and Blake Gray.
TikTok creators charged for a series of parties
Hall and Gray have been charged with throwing a series of parties in the Hollywood Hills over recent weeks. The events were in violation of public health restrictions which are in place to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.
Feuer held a press conference on the matter and gave a statement. Stating, “we allege that these hosts have been incredibly irresponsible with a highly infectious disease spreading.” Feuer went on to describe these events “really out of control night clubs.”
TikTok creators caught after complaints
It transpires that multiple complaints from neighbors and mayors had been lodged in relation to the parties. As a result, the Los Angeles city attorney charged four individuals including TikTok creators for partying during a pandemic.
Hall and Gray have 13.2 million and 5.9 million followers respectively on TikTok. Feuer alleges that on August 8th, LAPD officers came to Hall and Gray’s home in response to a complaint.
Officers issued a warning on the spot and also informed the pair that the parties were prohibited. Citations under LA’s party house restrictions were then issued.
Officers then returned to the house on August 14th. This was after a series of alleged guns shots near the area. Officers also say they found “several hundred guests celebrating Mr. Hall’s 21st birthday.”
Though, no evidence of a gun at the scene was found, and the pair received a final warning for non-compliance of the regulations.
Hall and Gray now face fines of up to $2,000 dollars and one year in jail. Jianwei Bai and David Marvisi also face charges for the same offense.
Guests of these parties will not face charges but could in the future. Feuer pointed out that individuals with the platform of Hall and Gray “should model great behavior and best practices rather than brazenly violating the law.”
It is so far unclear as to whether any cases have been linked to these parties. A spokesperson for the LA Department of Health said, “the consequences of these large parties ripple throughout our entire community because the virus can quickly and easily spread.”