Pound Ridge author charged with sex abuse

Police say a Pound Ridge author has been charged with sexual abuse and labor trafficking after a Hungarian woman claims she was forced to be his sex slave. Authorities say a 21-year-old Hungarian woman

News 12 Staff

May 19, 2009, 5:33 PM

Updated 5,547 days ago

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Police say a Pound Ridge author has been charged with sexual abuse and labor trafficking after a Hungarian woman claims she was forced to be his sex slave.
Authorities say a 21-year-old Hungarian woman told them 65-year-old Joseph Yannai hired her as a personal assistant, but then forced her to perform sexual favors once she was inside his home. The woman claims Yannai cut off her outside communication, which prevented her from seeking help for three weeks.
Investigator Cornelius Merritt says more than 12 women may have also been victims. Police say they found another woman from Brazil in Yannai's home, as well as information that a third woman from France was expected to move in next week.
Police say Yannai's wife lives at home with him. They are unsure if she had a role in the alleged sex abuse.
Yannai was released Monday night on $100,000 bail.


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