Egyptian businessman held for sex charges in New York

New York, Jun 2: A 74-year-old former chairman of a top Egyptian bank on Wednesday, May 1 was arraigned and being held on USD 25,000 bail on charges of sexually abusing a housekeeper in a luxury hotel , weeks after ex-IMF chief Struss Dominique Strauss-Kahn was detained on similar charges.

Mahmoud Abdel Salam Omar allegedly locked a 44-year-old maid in his room at the luxurious hotel on Sunday, May 29 after requesting tissues be delivered to his room.

The maid, who has accused the Egyptian businessman of sexual assault, was told by her female manager to keep shut about the case.

The incident reportedly occurred at The Pierre Hotel in Manhattan, which is owned by Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces of India. Omar was charged with sexual abuse, unlawful imprisonment, forcible touching and harassment.

He was arraigned this morning and a bail was set at USD 25,000 cash or USD 50,000 bond, as requested by prosecutors.

Meanwhile, The New York Post reported that the manager has been fired. The manager, whose name was not released, noted the maid's claims in a logbook but never reported them to Pierre security, her own bosses or police, officials said.

Next morning, her supervisor saw the entry and notified authorities, according to John Turchiano, spokesman for the New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council, the union that represents the accuser.

The Post reported that Assistant DA Nicole Blumberg said, he "grabbed [the maid] in a bear hug around her body, kissed her neck, kissed her lips and told her that he liked her."

PTI