| Mahmoud Abdel Salam Omar | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1936/1937 (age 74–75) |
| Citizenship | Egyptian |
| Employer | El-Mex Salines |
| Known for | former Chairman of Egypt's Bank of Alexandria and head of the Egyptian Banks Federation |
| Title | Chairman |
| Criminal charge | 2 counts of sexual assault, consisting of sex abuse and forcible touching[1][2] |
| Children | 4 |
Mahmoud Abdel Salam Omar is an Egyptian businessman. He is the Chairman of El-Mex Salines, an Egyptian salt production company, and was formerly Chairman of Egypt's Bank of Alexandria and head of the Egyptian Banks Federation.[2][1][3][4] In May 2011, he was arrested on charges of sexually assaulting a maid in his room at New York City's Pierre Hotel.
Omar is married, and has four children.[2]
Omar was Chairman of the Bank of Alexandria, one of Egypt's largest banks.[1][5] He is also a former head of the Egyptian Banks Federation, and of the Egyptian American Bank.[6][7] He is currently the Chairman of El-Mex Salines, an Egyptian salt production company, at which he has worked since 2009.[3][4][8][7]
A 44-year-old maid at the Pierre Hotel on New York City's Upper East Side told authorities that on May 29, 2011, Omar called for room service, asking for a box of tissues to be delivered to his $900-a-night room.[1][4] She said that when she delivered the tissues to his room, Omar locked his door, grabbed her in a bear hug, and began groping her breasts and kissing her on her neck and lips, squeezed her buttocks, and ground his crotch against her leg.[4][7][5] She said that Omar only let her leave after she agreed to give him her phone number, and that she gave him a false one.[2][4] Police said the maid reported the incident to her supervisor immediately, but that the supervisor told her to report the incident to a hotel security official the following day, and consequently the police weren't notified until the following day.[4] A police spokesman said that detectives found the maid to be credible.[8][9]
Omar was arrested on May 30, 2011. He was charged with two counts of sexual assault, consisting of sex abuse and forcible touching.[1][2] He appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court, and was released from Rikers Island on June 3, 2011, after posting $25,000 cash bail and surrendering his passport as he awaits trial.[2][3][7] Omar is scheduled to return to court on August 23, 2011.[2][4] His lawyer said he denies the charges.[5]