NYC, Shoplifting and Sexual Assault

NYC in 1999.
I bought some items from Macy’s on 34th street. Two weeks later while I was preparing my luggage before my departure to where I was living, I found out that the security tag was still attached to one of the items. I was very surprised the detection system did not alert when I passed through the store gate.

I did not know if I paid for the item but the cashier forgot to remove the tag, or by some mistake she did not scan it but put it with the other bought pieces in the bag. I searched for the receipt but could not find it. Actually I was not keen to keep the receipt because I did not expect I would need it.

Until now I panic at the mere idea that I risked being arrested for shoplifting for no apparent fault of mine except for being too lazy to check the items in the receipt before leaving the store.

Eventually I did not go back to the store because I thought going back with a piece of clothe with its security tag and without a receipt would only suggest one scenario, and I did not like that scenario.
……

In a matter of 3 weeks there were two separate incidents in which two prominent banking figures (with different levels of prominence) have been accused of sexually assaulting a chamber maid in hotels in NYC.

I have a story in this regard.

In the early 90s I was in the starting stage of my career and we had a high ranking figure coming on a working visit. As a junior I was not involved in the visit, but I was once assigned to go to the hotel he stayed in and give him some documents he needed. I called him from the lobby and asked what to do with the envelope (It was not recommended to leave it at the front desk). He asked me to go up to his suite. The reputation of this person, whom I have never seen before, was bad and he was known for his arrogant and obnoxious character. He did not seem unpleasant when I met him though. I was standing in the living room and he asked me few questions about the work. Then he went inside the bedroom to change his clothe. While we were talking, he from the bedroom and I in the living room, he came out of the room, wearing only his slip, to clarify some point I mentioned in my talk. He stayed for like few minutes before going inside again to finish dressing. I actually found it a bit inappropriate, but it was a not big deal anyway.

I remember his authoritative tone when we spoke, and given his position that was understood. I also remember that at a certain point in the conversation he said to me something with this meaning “Are you usually that shy and polite or is it just because you are talking to me?”! I just smiled because I thought I had no valid answer.

The visit went well, and few weeks later, we heard about him being accused of sexually assaulting a chamber maid in a hotel in NYC. It was early 90s. The case did not go far although we heard there was strong evidence against him.