MANHATTAN, NEWYORK: Fashion designer Bobby Vaughn found himself in a legal mire as he was arrested at his girlfriend Libbie Mugrabi's upscale Manhattan townhouse.
The incident revolves around allegations of assault and harassment, with Vaughn accused of causing a minor injury to Mugrabi during an altercation. However, both parties are vehemently contesting these charges, asserting that the arrest is based on a misunderstanding and unnecessary.
Bobby Vaughn arrested from girlfriend's residence
Bobby Vaughn, a 48-year-old fashion industry figure renowned for his role as the co-founder of the iconic Von Dutch clothing brand, faced legal repercussions after the New York Police Department responded to a 911 call from Libbie Mugrabi's Upper East Side residence at around 9 pm on Sunday, October 8.
The arrest report states that officers found Vaughn "barricaded" inside a bedroom following the altercation.
According to the arrest report, Vaughn allegedly pushed Mugrabi, leading to her cell phone inadvertently hitting her face, resulting in a minor injury.
Subsequently, Vaughn barricaded himself in a third-floor bedroom for approximately half an hour before eventually surrendering to the police without further incident.
Who is Libbie Mugrabi?
Mugrabi, aged 43 and known for her high-profile New York City lifestyle, declined medical attention at the scene.
However, the sequence of events and the subsequent arrest took a contentious turn when Mugrabi claimed that the responding officers had acted harshly and that the arrest was unwarranted.
She argued that the situation was a misunderstanding and that the arrest was completely uncalled for.
"They asked me to go outside in my underwear. They wouldn't let me in my bedroom to get my clothes. There were 11 cops in my room, and I couldn't talk to him," Mugrabi told Daily Mail.
She maintained that the incident was accidental, stating, "I told them everything was okay and it was an accident. He grabbed my phone, and I bit my lip. I didn't know what to do. I never thought they'd arrest him. It's a false arrest."
Bobby Vaughn's arraignment and defense
The legal proceedings continued with Vaughn's arraignment at Manhattan Criminal Court, where prosecutors provided their account of the chaotic domestic dispute that prompted Mugrabi to call 911 for assistance.
During the arraignment, Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Kristin Rainis described how Vaughn allegedly recklessly shoved Mugrabi, causing her to injure herself with her cell phone. Consequently, the judge granted a protection order against Vaughn.
In defense of his client, Vaughn's attorney John Rapawy highlighted that Mugrabi initially refused to sign the domestic assault report.
Rapawy stated, "We know that she did not originally cooperate with the police department. She did not cooperate with the DA's office," while requesting a limited protection order.
Ultimately, Bobby Vaughn was released without bail and is scheduled to return to court on November 15. Libbie Mugrabi was present at the courthouse during the arraignment but chose not to enter the courtroom.
The couple left the courthouse separately, with Mugrabi declining to comment to reporters. Vaughn expressed his continued affection for her, stating, "I still love her. This is stupid, the whole thing." When asked if he regretted the incident, he responded, "I mean, of course, I do."
It's worth noting that this incident isn't Bobby Vaughn's first brush with the law. In 2005, he faced charges related to the fatal shooting of a friend who had attacked him with a broken bottle during an argument.
Vaughn maintained that he acted in self-defense, and a jury ultimately acquitted him of first-degree murder charges.
Libbie Mugrabi is also familiar with legal drama, as she made headlines in June for appearing in Manhattan family court wearing a bulletproof vest while seeking an order of protection against her billionaire ex-husband, David Mugrabi. In her allegations, she claimed that her former spouse had hired Russian hitmen to target her.
