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Playboy Playmate Dani Mathers Charged in Fitness Center Body Shaming Case

Prosecutors allege the 2015 Playmate of the Year secretly snapped a photo of a woman who was showering at an LA Fitness center and posted the image on social media

A Playboy playmate was charged Friday after allegedly secretly photographing a nude woman in a fitness club locker room and posting the image to social media.

Dani Mathers was charged with one count of invasion of privacy, the city attorney's office announced Friday. If convicted, the 29-year-old faces up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 28.

Prosecutors allege Mathers secretly snapped a photo of the nude 70-year-old woman in July while she was showering at an LA Fitness center. The photo later appeared on Mather's Snapchat account and included comments about the woman's appearance, prosecutors said.

Mathers, 29, can be seen looking at the camera and covering her mouth in the photo.

The police investigation began after a report of "illegal distribution" of the image. LA Fitness also reported the post to police.

"Body shaming is humiliating, with often painful, long-term consequences," Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer said in a statement. "It mocks and stigmatizes its victims, tearing down self-respect and perpetuating the harmful idea that our unique physical appearances should be compared to air-brushed notions of 'perfect.'

"What really matters is our character and humanity. While body-shaming, in itself, is not a crime, there are circumstances in which invading one's privacy to accomplish it can be. And we shouldn't tolerate that."

The 2015 Playmate of the Year apologized for taking the photo and posting it online. She called her actions "absolutely wrong" and said she meant to forward to select friends instead of all of her followers. 

"That was absolutely wrong and not what I meant to do," Mathers said. "I know that body-shaming is wrong. That is not the type of person I am."

The post received swift backlash on social media. Mathers soon deleted her Snapchat and Twitter accounts. 

LA Fitness issued a statement, saying her "behavior is appalling." The company said it terminated Mathers' membership.

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