Gareth Ward: Pair accused of MP’s NY massage scam revealed

NEW York cops have ­released images of two men who tried to blackmail NSW MP Gareth Ward after he ­ordered a late-night massage at a swanky Manhattan hotel.

Police have released images of two men sought in relation to the alleged attempted blackmail of MP Garth Ward.

• Kiama MP Gareth Ward caught up in massage scam in NYC
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NEW York cops have ­released images of two men who tried to blackmail NSW MP Gareth Ward after he ­ordered a late-night massage at a swanky Manhattan hotel.

Mr Ward fell victim to the sleazy plot last month as he travelled to a conference in Nova Scotia for politicians with disabilities.

Taxpayers paid for Mr Ward’s flights to Canada and back, estimated to have cost up to $6000, but his stopover in New York was self-funded.

Police have released images of two men sought in relation to the alleged attempted blackmail of MP Garth Ward.

The MP for Kiama, who is legally blind, ordered the massage at 10pm while staying at Manhattan’s plush ­Intercontinental hotel and two men arrived at his room.

They began videoing him and one of the men claimed to be 16 before demanding $1000. The MP managed to alert the police after going to the lobby on the pretence of getting money from a cash machine.

NYPD released pictures of two men they believe are ­responsible. The images, taken from CCTV footage at the hotel appear to show two young males, with one carrying a backpack.

Mr Ward denied claims from New York police sources that he ordered a “special” massage. He told the Daily Telegraph last week: “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 NSW MP ordered a massage in his NYC hotel room, when the incident occurred.

Mr Ward in Halifax, Nova Scotia as part of his trip. He briefly stopped in New York, where he was allegedly targeted. Picture: Neil Van Horne

Speaking yesterday, he ­declined to give further ­details about how he ordered the massage.

Previous reports have stated he ordered the service online. It has also been reported that he ordered the service after being given a telephone number for a friend.

He arrived back in NSW last week and was spotted in Parliament wearing dark glasses and a hat.

Mr Ward was staying at the Intercontinental Hotel, Tim Square when he said he felt like a late night rub down.

“People have been concerned about my welfare having been victim of a serious crime and I’m pleased to be getting on with the job,” Mr Ward said.

Yesterday, with Parliament resuming after the winter break, Mr Ward tabled plans which could force priests who learn about paedophile activity during confessions to alert the police.

The measure was a key recommendation of the recent Royal Commission into child sexual abuse but has been resisted by the Catholic Church, which says the seal of confession is sacred.

Mr Ward said sexual ­offenders should have nowhere to hide.

The Kiama MP with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

“To have a situation where people who commit child sexual offences can tell people about them and they are not revealed and dealt with, is concerning,” he said.

“If someone discloses to a teacher, a doctor, a politician, you have to act on that ­information.”

The state government is still considering its response to the royal commission.

Asked why he had raised the issue ahead of that response, Mr Ward said: “If not me, then who? If not now, when? I feel very strongly about these issues. I think it is important someone says something and encourages the government to act.”