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10.01.2023 – 10.31.2023 October 2025
LOS ANGELES 1
WWW.THEPRIDELA.COM
THE LOS ANGELES LGBT NEWSPAPER
West Hollywood Man Charged With Killing Burbank Mayor Faces Backlash Over Playful Dog, Burglary of Former Roommate’s Video, Cites Critics Anti-LGBTQ+ BiasHome Mayor Konstantine Anthony Defends Actions Amid Controversy Over Video By Dolores Quintana Burbank Mayor Konstantine Anthony is facing criticism from conservatives following the circulation of a video showing him being spanked by a drag queen during an event on the weekend of September 10. Anthony has responded that some of his critics are motivated by anti-LGBTQ+ bias and that the incident was harmless. In the video, posted the Wisenuts Prosecutors have by filed multiplepodcast, felony Mayor Anthony seen beingman spanked by charges against ais27-year-old accused aofdrag artist, backed by the Village People’s breaking into his former roommate’s “Macho Hollywood Man.” Anthonyapartment, described thekilling events West as “shenanigans” and emphasized that it was the victim’s small dog, and damaging
27-Year-Old Suspect Faces Animal Cruelty and Burglary Charges After a Violent Attack
property during the incident. Anmol Bhatia faces one count each of first-degree residential burglary, felony animal cruelty, and vandalism involving more than $400 in damage. Prosecutors have also alleged that the victim, who is at least 65 years old, was particularly
all in good fun. He went on to reveal that a secretly recorded video was made during the event and subsequently shared with a prominent hate group. In a post on his Instagram account, Anthony stated, “For several days, extremist right-wing organizations, including Fox News, have spread misleading information to fuel fear, discrimination, and hate. I will always be a proud supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and drag performers.” He added, “On a busy Saturday filled with various independent gatherings, I attended the Santa Clarita Valley Democrats’ private fundraiser for their organization. Notably, there were no officially endorsed candidates or state and federal political figures present. The event was open to young adults ages 15 and above. However, there were no attendees below 18. Additionally, no children were present.” While not specifying the particular hate group in question, it Bhatia is possible thatorAnthony vulnerable and that knew should was referring to at thetheTwitter now have known this time ofaccount, the crime. known as X, called “Libsaround of TikTok,” The attack occurred 11:30which p.m.
reposted the video and garnered over 8 million views. In response to the video, the Libs of TikTok account claimed that children were present at the event. Mayor Anthony disputed this assertion, stating that “actually, there weren’t any children at this private 21+ event. But of course, lying is totally on brand for you.” While the account correctly pointed out that individuals aged 15 and older were permitted to attend, the event’s organizer, the Santa Clarita Valley Democrats, released a statement clarifying that no individuals under the age of 18 were in attendance. Mayor Anthony reiterated this point during a City Council meeting and expressed his concern that the video’s circulation had led to city officials receiving “some of the most vile hate speech that I have ever seen.” Anthony encouraged those with concerns about his actions to communicate with him directly via email at kanthony@burbankca. gov. He stated, “IfAuthorities you want toalso talkaccuse to me later found dead. about what happened over the weekend, Bhatia of vandalizing property insidesend the me an before email. Send me an email. I will talk to home fleeing.
you about it. There is no reason to involve all of the other people who were not at a public event, not at a government-sponsored event. It wasn’t even in the city of Burbank.” In a statement released on Tuesday, the Santa Clarita Valley Democrats voiced their support for Mayor Anthony and strongly denounced the sensationalized and inaccurate portrayal of their event for political purposes that promoted fear, homophobia, transphobia, and bigotry. The Democrats reaffirmed their commitment October 9. to the LGBTQ+ community and drag performers,on refusing to engage withcould what If convicted all counts, Bhatia they referred to asyears “fake and outrage.” face up to seven eight months in
on September 4, when Bhatia allegedly forced his way into the apartment. Investigators said video evidence shows him violently slamming the dog to the ground, stomping on it, and then throwing the lifeless animal off a balcony onto a nearby construction site, where it was
Beverly Hills police arrested Bhatia on September 21 following a two-week search. He was arraigned on Tuesday at the Airport Courthouse and entered a not guilty plea. Bail was set at $175,000, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for
state prison. The case is being handled by the Animal Cruelty Section of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office and remains under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, West Hollywood Station.
Bomb Threat Temporarily Halts “Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero” Premiere at TIFF
Hall, where the documentary was setSeek A spokespersonPossible for the Toronto police security swept the scene and cleared it within WeHo LASD Detectives Additional World Premiere of Thomson to be screened. informed CTV News Toronto that the threat 20 minutes,” noted Constable Victor Kwong. Lung stated, “Our standard security had been conveyed to the festival’s private Toronto police also clarified that the threat Victims After Indecent Exposure Arrest Documentary Was measures remained in place during this time, security by a passerby. “Out of an abundance had a general nature and did not specifically and the screening commenced with a slight of caution, the Toronto police and the private target any individual or entity. with an incident that occurred on Sept. delay. To our knowledge, this was a general Sheriffs SayAfter a Man Screened 19, 2025. Investigators said Harrington threat and not directed at the film or the artist.” allegedly approached a woman inside a Was Arrested After 20-Minute Delay BACK OR UNFILES laundry room and exposed himself before
Allegedly Exposing Himself to a Woman
By Dolores Quintana
The premiere of “Lil Nas X: Long Live Detectives withToronto the LosInternational Angeles County Montero” at the Film Sheriff’s Department West Festival (TIFF) faced a momentaryHollywood setback on Station are asking the public’s Saturday night due tofor a bomb threat. help in identifying Judy Lung,additional TIFF’s Vicevictims Presidentfollowing of Public the arrest a man accused confirmed of indecent Affairs andofCommunications, to exposure. CTV News Toronto via a written statement Harrington taken into thatJackie the festival was alertedwas to an investigation custody on Sept.of28, in connection “in the vicinity the2025, red carpet” at Roy
leaving the area. No further confrontation was reported. Authorities believe there may be other victims who have not yet come forward. Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact West Hollywood Station Detectives at 310-855-8850. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 800-222-TIPS (8477), using the “P3 Tips” mobile app, or visiting lacrimestoppers.org. The investigation remains ongoing.
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