A MAGA influencer has been spared prosecution after admitting assaulting a woman near a London Tube station – but her boyfriend faces trial after the alleged racist incident.
Melissa Rein Lively, 40, an American political consultant and founder of the anti-woke PR firm America First PR, admitted her involvement in the incident and has agreed to pay compensation by July 14.
However, her boyfriend, German businessman Philipp Ostermann, 37, who wore a white shirt and dark suit and sat in seats in front of the dock, pleaded not guilty to the three charges against him.
These are two racially aggravated public order offences and a further public order offence for using threatening language.
The charges stem from an incident near Bond Street Underground station in central London on October 11 last year.
According to evidence heard by the court, two sisters were walking towards the station at around 7.30pm. One of the women was accompanied by her two young children, including one child in a pushchair.
The sisters noticed Ms Lively and Mr Ostermann ahead of them in the street. It was alleged the couple were kissing and appeared intoxicated as they made their way towards the station.
As the families approached the station entrance, Ms Lively allegedly stumbled into the pushchair.
One of the sisters immediately pulled the pushchair backwards, before Mr Ostermann then turned towards the women and shouted: ‘You bloody Indian, watch where you are going. You shouldn’t be here.’
The woman responded: ‘You fell over my niece’s pushchair. We’re not even Indian. Stop being racist.’
Melissa Rein Lively, 40, and 37-year-old Philipp Ostermann faced multiple charges in relation to an alleged assault in London last year
She has avoided prosecution after accepting a conditional caution and agreeing to pay £910 in compensation
However, her partner German businessman Philipp Ostermann, 37, (pictured outside Westminster Magistrates today) continues to face three criminal charges and has pleaded not guilty to all counts
Pictured: The couple together on a holiday to Venice
Prosecutors allege Mr Ostermann became angry following this exchange.
The court heard that Ms Lively then allegedly grabbed one of the sisters by the hair and tugged it forcefully.
It is alleged the sister responded by grabbing Lively’s hair in an attempt to release herself from the grip.
British Transport Police previously said they received reports that a woman had been racially abused and assaulted while entering Bond Street station with family members.
Earlier allegations also included claims that a substance believed to be pepper spray was produced during the confrontation, although the criminal proceedings against Ostermann relate to public order offences, including two racially aggravated counts.
Prosecutor Lyndon Harris told the court: ‘Ms Lively has accepted a conditional caution in response to the allegation against her.
‘That involved an admission to the conduct alleged against her and acknowledgement it amounts to an offence, and she has agreed to pay £910 in compensation.’
Rein Lively has not yet paid the compensation, the court heard, and it is due for payment in July.
Ms Lively, who is based in Arizona and has publicly promoted Donald Trump’s Make America Great Again movement, previously attracted attention in the United States after posting videos of herself removing face masks from store displays during the Covid pandemic.
Her bid to become White House press secretary during Trump’s second administration was unsuccessful, with the role ultimately going to Karoline Leavitt.
Ostermann is an associate director at Aequita, a Munich-based private equity firm.
Lively remains in the United States. Ostermann denies all charges against him and the case continues before Westminster Magistrates’ Court.
The next hearing will take place on the 17 November.
