Restaurant co-owner pleads not guilty to molesting worker, 16

An owner of a well-regarded restaurant in Westbury pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges he molested a young female employee there, according to the Nassau County district attorney's office.

Memet Arslan, 32, of Newbridge Road in Bellmore, was arrested Monday night and arraigned Tuesday in First District Court in Hempstead on charges of forcible touching, endangering the welfare of a child and third-degree sexual abuse.

He was freed on $5,000 bond or $2,500 cash bail, said his lawyer, John Lawrence of Mineola. Arslan is due back in court Thursday.

Around 10:30 p.m. last Thursday, Arslan closed the Mediterranean Kebab restaurant located at 190 Post Ave., and locked the doors, knowing a 16-year-old female employee was still inside, police said.

Arslan suggested they smoke a hookah pipe together, said Det. Lt. Raymond Cote.

As they smoked the pipe, Arslan tried to kiss the girl and then restrained her and groped her, Cote said.

The girl was able to break free and run away, Cote said.

The victim is a "polite" girl who was working a summer job, Cote said. "She's taught to respect people, and her boss takes advantage of that opportunity," he said.

Lawrence said his client, who is a partner in the restaurant, denies having any physical contact with the girl.

"He's denying the allegation to the extent of any kind of sexual contact," Lawrence said. "He was devastated."

A call placed to Arslan's home phone number was not answered, and a manager at the restaurant declined to comment.