Kiama MP Gareth Ward caught up in massage scam in New York
NSW MP Gareth Ward says two “very aggressive” men tried to blackmail him after he ordered a ”normal” massage in his New York hotel room.
NSW
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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.
The incident has been reported to New York police. Mr Ward was in the US on a self-funded trip and is now attending a conference in Canada.
Mr Ward said he paid $US100 via an online website for a “normal, standard massage” and denied claims he ordered a “special massage”.
He said about 10:30pm Tuesday, local time, two African-American men knocked on his door at the InterContinental Hotel and began filming using a mobile phone. One claimed he was underage. The New York Post reported the men demanded $1000.
“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.
“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 to the desk and they (the two men) bolted. I reported it straight to the police and told them the whole thing.”
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 at 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, who is not married and does not have children, 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.
An NYPD spokesman said the scam that ensnared Mr Ward was “something we have seen before”.
“Is it common? No I wouldn’t say that, but has it happened in the past — the same situation, yes it has,” he said.
The officer provided details to The Daily Telegraph of the incident at the InterContinental Times Square but would not confirm Mr Ward’s identity due to privacy reasons.
“There was an incident inside 300 West 44th St on August 29 at 10.30pm,” the spokesman said, reading from the police complaint.
“The complainant arranged to have a male come to his room for a massage.
“At approximately 10.30 two unnamed black men entered the room after knocking on the door.
“They took out a cellphone and started recording, stating they were minors and that if he client didn’t give them a thousand dollars they would put the video on the internet.
“He agreed to go down to the ATM downstairs and as he approached the lobby he noticed security and ran to them for help.
“They called us, the NYPD, and we came to the location.
“The matter is still under investigation and the men have not been found.”
Police said there was no reference to sexual services in the complaint filed by Mr Ward.
“He was requesting a massage, nothing sexual in nature that we know of.”
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