A New South Wales MP is currently embroiled in that classic genre of Australian politics – the massage scandal.
Kiama MP Gareth Ward was reportedly targeted by a “scam” in New York City, after ordering a massage at his hotel near Times Square. According to the New York Daily News, Ward got the number for a massage service from a friend.
When he received a knock at the door, he opened it and was greeted by two men. He then allegedly declined the service, at which point one of the men pulled out an iPhone and began recording, claiming that the other man was underage. They reportedly demanded $1,000.
“My friend is 16,” the visitor said, according to the NYDN. “If you don’t pay us $1,000, we’re going to tell everyone we’re minors.”
Ward tells a slightly different story to the ABC, claiming that he was threatened because he declined an offer for something more than just a massage.
“I asked for a massage but when it became clear that more was on offer I asked them to leave and then they became aggressive, demanding money.”
The NYDN reports that Ward told the men he needed to go to an ATM, at which point they followed him down to the hotel lobby. At this point, he informed the concierge of what was happening, and the would-be scammers fled. Police are currently looking for them.
Sources told the NYDN that Ward told investigators he was worried that a scandal might hurt his chances for re-election, sources said.”
We’ll get you more on this as it develops.
