By Peter A. Sutters Jr.
Thomas LoCascio, 57, of 176 Verbena Ave. in Floral Park was massaging a 50-year-old woman at the Estee Lauder Spa, located at 2110 Northern Blvd. in Manhasset on Feb. 11, when the alleged incident occurred, police said. LoCascio allegedly sodomized the woman during the massage, causing her to sit up and demand he stop, according to police. He has been charged with a third-degree criminal sexual act and will be arraigned at First District Court in Nassau, according to police.A manager at the spa declined to comment on the incident. But a spokeswoman for Estee Lauder said LoCascio had been working at the company for three years without incident and was fired last Thursday. ” We just learned this morning of the allegations against one of our spa employees,” the company said in a statement. “We take these allegations very seriously. The professionalism of our staff and security of our customers are our top priorities. We are fully cooperating with the investigation and have terminated this individual's employment for failure to cooperate with the company's internal review.” LoCascio is also listed as a Zumba instructor on the Web site, Zumba.com. Zumba is an exercise program involving dancing and is described as “fun and easy to do.” Zumba instructors are certified by the Florida-based company and can hold private lessons or can be hired to teach it at workout centers, according to the company. Alberto Aghion, the president of Zumba, reached at his office in Florida, said he has little contact with instructors once they have been certified and did not know if LoCascio would continue to be listed as an instructor. Reach reporter Peter A. Sutters Jr. by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300 Ext. 173.
