Playboy model Dani Mathers pleads not guilty in invasion of privacy case

Playboy model Dani Mathers, who was charged for invasion of privacy after she shared the image of a naked woman in the locker room of a gym – allegedly body-shaming her – has pleaded not guilty. Mathers was charged in early November by Los Angeles prosecutors for sharing the image of the 70-year-old woman on Snapchat in July.

The 29-year-old model, who was the magazine's 2015 Playmate of the Year, attracted massive criticism after the incident and also lost her job on a radio show. However, her lawyer said in the court of law that she "very much regrets" the incident and hence did not attend the hearing.

"She apologised for her behaviour and we're looking forward to resolving this case in a very fair manner," Tom Mesereau, Mather's lawyer said.

If convicted, the model could face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 (£805)-fine.

Mather had shared the image of the elderly woman in the shower of a fitness club ­– without her consent – on social media and captioned it: "If I can't unsee this, then you can't either."

The LA-based gym reported the Snapchat post to police and cancelled Mathers' membership and banned her from all its locations. "Her behaviour is appalling and puts every member at risk of losing their privacy," Jill Greuling, an LA Fitness executive vice-president, said at the time.

However, in her defence, Mathers claimed that she did not intend to send the image to an audience, but it was used for a private conversation. She said at that time, "That [sharing the image] was absolutely wrong and not what I meant to do. I know that body shaming is wrong. That is not the type of person I am."

A pretrial hearing is expected to take place on 21 December.