• Owners of a TikTok-famous photo booth in NYC allege neighbor threw urine and engaged in vandalism.
• The lawsuit seeks damages exceeding $2 million and a restraining order against the neighbor.
• The neighbor claims the accusations are fabrications aimed at extorting money.

In an unusual and unsettling legal clash, owners of the Old Friend Photobooth, a vintage photo booth in New York’s Lower East Side, have filed a lawsuit against their neighbor, Maggie Trakas. The owners, Zoë Lazerson and Brandon Minton, allege that Trakas engaged in a series of aggressive and unsanitary acts, including allegedly throwing a bucket of urine on them and their customers, as well as a disturbing incidence of fecal vandalism. According to the lawsuit reported by Times of India, Trakas’s discontent with the booth’s presence has escalated into what she called "war."

Since moving to its current location on December 9, 2024, Minton and Lazerson claim Trakas, a member of an influential New York arts family, has committed various acts to disrupt their business. These alleged actions include verbally assaulting Minton, supergluing the locks on his van, and, in January, leaning out of her second-floor window to douse Minton with a bucket of urine while it splashed on waiting customers. Trakas was later seen laughing as police and paramedics assessed the situation, confirming the substance was indeed urine, as noted in The Independent.

In response to Minton and Lazerson’s claims, Trakas contended that they have wreaked havoc on the street's peaceful ambiance since their arrival, describing the influx of tourists as invasive. "On the weekends and over the holidays, it has been unmanageable," Trakas remarked, emphasizing that the throngs of young visitors infringe on her quality of life. Despite her aggressive protests against the booth, Trakas accused her neighbors of fabricating stories against her, suggesting that the lawsuit is a ploy to "extort money" before a potential TikTok ban that might affect their business.

The lawsuit, which seeks over $2 million in damages, details a range of bizarre incidents. Beyond the urine allegations, Minton also recounted finding what appeared to be frozen urine near the booth and further described a scene coated in feces after an alleged attack by Trakas, who reportedly fired off an array of insults towards booth visitors, labeling them "narcissistic" and expressing her disdain for the photo booth’s influence.
Minton and Lazerson have been granted a temporary restraining order, aiming to prevent Trakas from further interfering with their business. This incident highlights the unusual and extravagant lengths some individuals will go to defend their personal space amidst business conflicts.

The ongoing legal battle continues with Trakas denying the allegations and preparing a legal response, asserting that she intends to present evidence of her own harassment claims. The tension from this case has captivated local media and social media users alike, highlighting the dramatic interplay between personal grievances and viral business success.

For more details, explore the articles from Times of India and The Independent.