Kiama MP Gareth Ward caught up in massage scam in New York

A NSW MP has become embroiled in a blackmail scam after ordering a “special massage” in a New York hotel room.

Kiam MP Gareth Ward has been caught up in a msaage scam in the US. Pictured with former Premier Mike Baird. Picture: Mike Baird.

NSW MP Gareth Ward has become embroiled in a blackmail scam after ordering a “special massage” in a New York hotel room.

Mr Ward, MP for Kiama, this morning confirmed reports that two “very aggressive” men tried to blackmail him after he ordered the massage.

“I mean, who doesn’t ask for a massage when they are on holiday? I know how it looks but I can assure you this is nothing short of attempted robbery,” the 36-year-old told the Daily Telegraph this morning.

Gareth Ward, pictured with Premier Gladys Berejiklian, confirmed the scam this morning.

The incident has been reported to New York cops. Mr Ward was in the US on a self-funded trip and is now attending a conference in Canada.

The blackmail scam involved the men who turned up at Mr Ward’s room trying to capture him on CCTV, with one claiming they were underage. The New York post reported the men demanded $1000.

In a written statement Mr Ward denied he had ordered a “special massage”, saying it was simply a normal one. Mr Ward is not married and has no children.

“I asked for a massage and what was clear was that there was more on offer and when I made it clear that was not what I wanted I asked them to leave,” Mr Ward told the Daily Telegraph this morning.

The scam took place while Mr Ward was staying at the Intercontinental Hotel in New York.

“They got aggressive and filming and demanding money. So I went down to the lobby because that was the only way I could get out of my room — I was terrified, absolutely terrified.

“When I walked down to the lobby I ran straight over the desk and they (the two men) bolted. I reported it straight to the police and told them the whole thing.”

The incident happened on Tuesday.

Mr Ward said he terrified by the incident.

Asked if the two men knew who he was prior to the blackmail attempt, Mr Ward said: “I don’t know. I’m going to leave that to police.

“I’m now in Canada on a conference. I was in New York on my own time and paying my own way.”

He added: “What they were offering was not what I was seeking. I’ll make that very clear. And that’s when they started to get feisty.”

Mr Ward said he assumed they had weapons but was not sure.

“I wanted to kick them out of my room and I wanted to report it straight to police.

“I spoke to an officer earlier today and they are investigating.”

Mr Ward has been MP for Kiama, on NSW’s south coast since 2011 and a Parliamentary secretary.

His biography on the state parliament’s website says his hobbies are include “golf, reading and work, work, work”.

He has a form of albinism that also affects his eyesight.