By James DeWeese
The employee told police that over a period of eight months, from late July 2003 to April 2004, Hector Delgado, the owner of Delgado Travel, touched her breasts, buttocks and inner thighs without her consent, according to the criminal complaint filed by the Queens DA.
She also told police Delgado kissed her a number of times without her consent, the complaint said.
Delgado, 61, has a criminal record that dates back to 1982 and includes convictions for third-degree sexual abuse, harassment, money laundering and drunken driving, court records showed.
Delgado, who lives in Whitestone, declined to comment but his lawyer flatly denied the most recent charges.
“Here's the point: there are many cases about which people are well familiar where people may make a false complaint … looking for money,” said Gerald Shargel. “This is one of them.”
Delgado was arraigned before Queens County Criminal Court Justice Lenora Gerald, who set bail at $2,000 and a return date of June 1. He pleaded not guilty.
Delgado, who has four children from two marriages, now faces one count of forcible touching and four counts of sexual abuse in the third degree, which is a misdemeanor, the DA spokeswoman said.
If convicted, Delgado could get up to a $1,000 fine and/or a year in jail.
A secretary at the travel agency said: “Mr. Delgado is not making a declaration to any newspaper at this time. If we have anything to add, we will contact (the media).”
But Shargel said his client intends to fight the charges to the end.
“He intends to get acquitted,” Shargel said.
As of December, Delgado Travel had 26 offices in New York City, providing courier services to Delgado's native Ecuador as well as money wire and remittance services internationally. Ten of the offices are located in Queens, in neighborhoods such as Jackson Heights, Sunnyside, Astoria, Kew Gardens and Corona.
At the time, Delgado, who immigrated to the United States decades ago, said his agency – popular among Queens' burgeoning Hispanic population – had grown to do almost $1 billion in business a year.
The alleged victim, a former employee of the company that has about 260 workers, told police Delgado propositioned her, promising money and other gifts in exchange for allowing him to touch her, the criminal complaint said. The woman also told police that Delgado had threatened to fire or relocate her if she resisted his advances, according to the complaint.
The woman, whose name was withheld because the case involves allegations of sexual abuse, said she rejected Delgado's alleged advances and “pulled away,” the complaint said.
Shargel said Delgado's previous arrests and convictions would have no bearing on the case.
“The law doesn't allow judgments based on prior arrests or convictions,” Shargel said.
Court records indicate that Delgado has had the following brushes with the law:
* In December 1999, Delgado was arrested and charged in Queens with sexual abuse in the first degree. He later pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of sexual abuse in the third degree and was sentenced to one year of probation. An order of protection was issued for the victim.
* In September 1990, Delgado was arrested as part of a federal money laundering investigation in Florida. He was later sentenced to pay a $1 million fine, according to law enforcement sources.
* In July 1983, Nassau county police arrested Delgado for driving under influence of alcohol. His license was revoked and he was forced to pay a $250 fine.
* In January 1983, Delgado was charged with sexual abuse in the third degree and pleaded guilty to harassment. He was given a conditional discharge and a fine of $250.
* In August 1982, he pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct after being charged with obstructing governmental administration. He was sentenced pay a fine or spend time in custody, but it was unclear which option he chose.
Reach reporter James DeWeese by e-mail at news@timesledger.com, or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 157.
