Vegan Activist Tash Peterson Declares Bankruptcy After Controversial Defamation Case
Tash Peterson, a prominent vegan activist, has declared bankruptcy after a challenging legal battle. The 31-year-old, who is well-known for her outspoken views on animal rights, has surrendered her passport along with her boyfriend, Jack Higgs, to an Australian bankruptcy office.
The bankruptcy announcement comes on the heels of a defamation lawsuit involving Peterson and Dr. Kay McIntosh, a veterinarian based in Perth. Peterson's controversial claims against McIntosh, including an outrageous accusation of "eating her own patients," have led to significant financial repercussions. As a result, Peterson and Higgs now reportedly owe the veterinarian over half a million dollars.
Peterson has built a reputation for her provocative stance on veganism, famously stating in her Instagram bio, "If you're not vegan, you're an animal abuser." This bold declaration often leads her to confront non-vegans on social media platforms, sparking heated discussions and debates.
The unfolding drama was shared with her followers through a series of videos on Instagram, where Peterson made a heartfelt announcement: “We are officially bankrupt and our passports are being taken away from us.” Higgs, visibly concerned, added, “So we’re going to head into a bankruptcy office and we’re gonna officially surrender our passport.”
In these videos, Peterson revealed that their personal accounts had been drained, leaving them without funds for basic living expenses. The financial strain has been exacerbated by the legal battle, which has taken a toll on their finances.
In another video, the couple discussed the allegations made by McIntosh's lawyer, which included accusations of tax fraud and profiting from Peterson's activism. Peterson firmly denied these claims, stating, “I’ve been forced into bankruptcy as a result of a defamation case where I was found to be unsuccessful, owing a vet clinic $320,000 in damages.”
She further elaborated, “And that doesn’t even include their legal costs, putting my debt to over half a million dollars.” During the trial, Peterson was required to provide financial and bank statements to counter the opposing lawyer's claims that she engaged in animal rights activism for financial gain. However, the judge dismissed these allegations.
Peterson also addressed the serious accusation of tax fraud, which she vehemently denied. “This accusation led to the Australian Tax Office auditing me for over two years worth of income, and this lawyer is now being investigated by the WA Legal Board,” she stated, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
