Editor's Note: This story has been updated to reflect that the criminal charges against Joey N. Friedman were dismissed and the case closed.
In light of its president being arrested on a charge of sexual battery, local event company Uber Promotions Inc. now faces uncertainty among its prime clientele: UF sororities and fraternities.
On Feb. 10, Joey Friedman, was arrested on a charge of sexual battery after allegedly spiking the drink of a woman he met at Grog House Bar & Grill, a Midtown bar, according to a police report. The criminal charge was later dropped and the case dismissed.
He was released after posting a $50,000 bond. The company provides party buses and organizes social events at different bars around town and often works with different UF sororities and fraternities to host events.
It was registered in Florida in 2006, according to the Florida Division of Corporations. On the night of the assault, Dec. 14, Friedman’s company hosted an event at Grog House Bar & Grill, according to its Facebook page.
Friedman’s lawyer declined to comment for this article. His business partner Mike Farzad also declined to comment.
Devon Leasure, the president of UF’s Panhellenic Council, said some chapters have used Uber Promotions for local events, but it all depends on the chapter. She said there have not been incidents with the company before.
However, Leasure said the council will take the sexual battery allegations into account when deciding on future bookings.
“We formally stand by the notion as a Panhellenic community, that there is never a time or place where rape culture is acceptable,” she said. “We would not ever make any sort of exception for inappropriate behavior.”
Leasure said she hopes the company takes care of the allegation and said people need to have meaningful discussions about consent.
“It is certainly our hope that Uber Promotions will deal with the allegations accordingly and take the appropriate measures to ensure upstanding behavior on behalf of all the employees,” she said.
Hailey Robles-Holmes, a Delta Delta Delta sister, has been on Uber Promotion buses in the past. Even before the allegations, Robles-Holmes said she is always prepared for the worst case scenario when going out.
During her freshman year, there were several sexual assault alerts, which made her cautious. While the owner’s actions were bad, she said she doesn’t think it reflects on the entire business.
“It’s definitely good to know and have your guard up,” she said.
Former Alpha Epsilon Pi President Jared Cohen said his fraternity used Uber Promotions to organize a social event in January. Cohen, a 21-year-old UF management junior, said the company had been a common vendor for other fraternities, and he has heard positive reviews from others.
“They give you the best rates and stuff, so that was why we went ahead and used them,” he said. “That’s also probably the only one we had even heard of.”
He said the event ran smoothly and professionally.
“They were very helpful, and nothing sketchy happened,” Cohen said. “I’m sure if you called like 10 other frats, they would all say the same stuff, too.”
Contact Romy Ellenbogen at rellenbogen@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter at @romyellenbogen
