Nadia Bartel has been fined more than $5,000 as the fallout for the leaked video of her snorting a white powder continues to worsen.
Nadia Bartel has been fined $5452 for breaching Victoria’s stay home order after being filmed snorting a white powder at a small gathering on Thursday.
Entertainment reporter Peter Ford shared details of an incident detailed by Victoria Health on Twitter in which four women were issued with Penalty Infringement Notices following a gathering at a Richmond address.
While Nadia is not named in the alert, Ford says to “read between the lines”, which detail a gathering of a 36-year-old Windsor woman along with a 33-year-old Pascoe Vale woman and a 35-year-old Strathmore woman who all “failed to comply with requirements in relation to a private public gathering”.
The alert said a fifth woman at the address was not charged as she was complying with CHO employment restrictions – while “enquiries into possible drug offences” were ongoing.
In total a fine of $21,808 was issued.
Footage of 36-year-old Nadia surfaced on social media on Thursday, and was later deleted, that showed the Melbourne socialite and former wife of AFL great Jimmy Bartel sniffing in a white substance that appears to be cocaine.
Nadia took to social media on Friday afternoon to apologise for the footage.
“Hi everyone, I have let you all down by my actions,” the 36-year-old wrote on her Instagram account, which has nearly 600,000 followers.
“I take full responsibility and I am committed to taking all necessary steps to ensure I make better choices in future. To my family and friends, my business partners and the public health workers trying to keep us all safe, I am embarrassed and remorseful.
“I am truly and deeply sorry. I hope I can earn your forgiveness and, in time, your trust. Nadia.”
However, the apology has not been able to halt the fallout, with JSHealth Vitamins, which Bartel had promoted on her Instagram account just one month ago, announcing on Sunday it was cutting ties with her.
“We, like many of you, are shocked and disappointed by the recent actions of an individual who has endorsed our products,” it said in a statement posted on Instagram.
“JSHealth fundamentally supports all public health orders in place to keep us safe in this hugely difficult time for so many. We do not tolerate illicit behaviour.
“Please know we have taken immediate action and will no longer be working with this individual – or anyone who does not align with our values.”
Alongside the statement, they called for compassion.
“Today I’ve had to make a hard decision as the founder and face of my brand, and let go of a brand endorser. I have to stand for what’s right. We are a health brand who is very serious about aligning with individuals who share the same values.
“In saying that, I’m human and compassion is what the brand has always represented. Mental health is the number 1 priority here.
“I truly wish this individual strength and peace during this time and although I do not condone what happened, I am a believer that humans make mistakes and we are not a brand who wishes to beat anyone when they are down. I stand for compassion and kindness, regardless of a situation.”
Victorian police are investigating whether the gathering contravenes Covid-19 rules, and she may be hit with a $5452 fine.
News.com.au has contacted Nadia Bartel for comment.