The woman shared a TikTok video of the incident, which went viral, leading to the man’s dismissal.
A New York man was fired from his job after a woman accused him of ripping off her wig in a disturbing street incident that was caught on video and posted on TikTok. The woman, identified as Lizzy Ashliegh, claimed the attack happened near Penn Station around 1 a.m. on Monday when the man, later identified as Anthony P. Orlich, ripped a turquoise wig from her head.
In the video, which gained over 500,000 views, Ashliegh, visibly upset, confronts the man, asking him why he took her wig off and what made him think his actions were acceptable. The man, who appeared intoxicated, laughed in response to her questions. Ashliegh’s distress was evident as she tried to understand why she had been targeted in such a way.
Ashliegh later posted another video on TikTok, explaining that her wig had been secured with combs, making it difficult to remove without force. She highlighted that the man had not just pulled the wig but had caused her pain by tugging on her hair as well. Her explanation added to the severity of the incident, showing that the act was more than just an innocent prank.
After the video went viral, viewers helped identify the man as Orlich, who worked as a litigator for Leader Berkon Colao and Silverstein LLP, a law firm based in New York. The firm responded with a statement on LinkedIn, confirming that they had terminated Orlich’s employment, noting that they take any inappropriate behavior seriously, whether it occurs at work or outside of it.
Despite the man’s firing, the incident sparked outrage online, with many people, especially Black users, demanding that Orlich face assault charges in addition to losing his job. The video and its aftermath raised questions about accountability for behavior in public spaces and the impact of social media in exposing such incidents.
Ashliegh, a creative director, actor, and singer, has indicated that she may pursue legal action over the incident. The viral video has drawn attention not only to her experience but also to the broader issue of harassment and violence in public spaces, especially toward women.
