Lawyer Testifies About Harassment by Man Accused of Tourist’s Rape

A Manhattan tax lawyer testified Thursday about frightening harassment by a man originally accused of raping a tourist.

The tourist has returned to Russia and won’t be testifying, the New York Daily News reports. But several other women were slated to testify about harassment and stalking, including a travel agent who alleges Akassy forced her to perform a sex act in her stairwell, the New York Post reports.

The Daily News identifies the defendant as Hugues Akassy, while the Post says his name is Hughes Akassy. In previous coverage he was identified as Hugues-Denver Akassy. Prosecutors say he tries to woo women by claiming to be a French television reporter.

One of the alleged victims, lawyer Melissa Oaks, said she was afraid to leave her house after Akassy began his campaign of harassment, according to the Post account. She testified she rebuffed Akassy’s original advances when she first met him on the street. Later he sent her insulting emails and shouted “bitch” at her as she walked her Chihuahua. In his last email message, Akassy wrote, "You are a beautiful grave—dead inside."

Hat tip to Above the Law.