Many of us know from statistics and even personal experience that in most instances of sexual assault, the perpetrator walks away scot free, never facing any legal consequences. But even in the instances where sexual predator is held accountable for his actions, the result is so far from justice, he might as well have been acquitted.
Such was the case with millionaire John Joseph Boswell and his assault, for which he pleaded guilty, of an African immigrant working as a hotel maid in the Mayflower hotel in Washington D.C.
According to The Washington Post, the incident took place on January 19 while Boswell was in D.C. to celebrate the inauguration of Donald Trump. Boswell, 70, is the chief executive of Independent Stave Company, the world’s largest whiskey and wine barrel manufacturer.
Boswell had contributed more than $120,000 to Republican candidates over the past 25 years. And though he was hesitant to support Trump at first, favoring Ben Carson and Marco Rubio, he eventually followed the lead of his party and decided to celebrate Trump’s inauguration.
When the hotel maid, who remains unnamed in the Post article, entered his room, around 2 p.m. to make his bed, he approached her from behind, began rubbing her buttocks and, according to the police report said, “This is very nice stuff,” he said, according to the report. “I like that!”
The woman froze and in shock started saying, “Sorry, sir. Sorry, sir.”
When another maid came out of the bathroom, Boswell immediately stepped away from the other. The first maid ran out of the room, shaking and told her coworker that she would have to finish cleaning the room by herself.
When she started to make the bed, Boswell tried to approach her too, placing his hand on top of her shoulder. But the second maid ordered him to sit down.
The first maid did not report the incident to authorities. But the next day she told her manager what had happened. Afterward, police became involved.
On the day of the inaugural parade, police showed up at Boswell’s hotel room. When he stepped out, the maid identified him and he was arrested.
Boswell was released the following afternoon. He was being held with protesters for the Trump inauguration so when he was released, the crowd that had gathered outside of the courthouse believed he was a part of the resistance and cheered for him.
But someone who had been in court when Boswell was charged, shouted that he was a sex offender and the crowd began throwing things at him, The Washington Post reports that an orange slice struck Boswell in the head.
“Well, that wasn’t very nice,” he told a Post reporter.
And while there have been very minimal social ramifications, legally Boswell has gotten off with less than a slap on the wrist. Though Boswell pleaded guilty to the assault last month in court, the 70-year-old, who is married with three children, was sentenced to a mere 10 days in jail and six months of probation.
But the way our justice system is set up, Boswell’s jail sentence was ultimately suspended.
Boswell, despite his guilty plea, still believes he’s innocent.
“I patted her on the lower back. It was just a friendly gesture.”
In the end, Boswell paid $50 into the Crime victims’ compensation fund which is one-fifth of the maximum penalty for Boswell’s crime. The fact that Boswell makes $600,000 a month, his penalty is virtually nothing.
And while Boswell is on probation, he’s been allowed to travel overseas, including a trip to the Bahamas last month.
And toward the end of this one, he’s scheduled to spend two weeks in the Dominican Republic for a family reunion.
Disgusting.
Meanwhile, the woman who he assaulted is still suffering. Boswell’s legal team made a visit to the maid’s apartment, traumatizing her even further. As a result, one of her coworkers said that she’s moved.
Furthermore, she said, “Whenever she would talk about it. She would cry.”
The post This Millionaire Sexually Assaulted A Black Hotel Maid And Was Only Fined $50 appeared first on MadameNoire.