High-Profile Egyptian Banker Arrested, Charged With Attacking Manhattan Hotel Maid
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A little more than two weeks after the arrest of the head of the International Monetary Fund, there has been another stunning accusation levied against a high-profile member of the world financial industry right here in New York City.
CBS 2 has learned Mahmoud Abdel-Salam Omar, the former chairman of Egypt's Bank of Alexandria and CEO of salt company El-Mex Salines Co., was arrested Monday morning and charged with sexually assaulting a female worker at The Pierre Hotel at 2 East 61st St., in Manhattan.
Police said Omar, 74, attacked the 44-year-old worker at approximately 6 p.m. on Sunday. The woman went to room 1027 at the Pierre to drop off tissues that were requested by the guest. Once inside the room the victim was sexually abused, police said.
Police spokesman Paul Browne said detectives found the complainant to be credible.
The Pierre Hotel released the following statement on Monday night: "The Pierre's priority is the safety of our guests and staff. We take all complaints very seriously and investigate thoroughly. This incident has been formally reported to the New York Police Department and is under investigation. We will fully comply with the investigation as requested."
Omar was charged with sexual abuse, unlawful imprisonment, forcible touching and harassment. He was being held at the 19th Precinct.
On May 14, Dominique Strauss-Kahn was accused of attacking a maid at the Sofitel New York hotel. Strauss-Kahn was eventually granted $1 million bail and is currently being held under house arrest with electronic monitoring inside a lavish townhouse in Tribeca.
Please stay with CBSNewYork.com on Tuesday morning for more on this developing story.
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