A businessman accused of making sexual advances toward a 20-year-old former employee has been convicted of three misdemeanor counts of lewdness.
Frank Habibian, owner of the Days Inn Four Seasons, Heritage Inn and other commercial properties in town, was found guilty by 5th Circuit Judge James Schumate of lewdness, gross lewdness and attempted gross lewdness.The victim, who worked as a desk clerk at the Heritage Inn, said Habibian made sexual passes at her in December and March and later exposed himself to her.
The defense maintained the woman concocted the charges at the behest of St. George police officer Jim Hatzidakis. Habibian said the woman continually talked about sex at work, brought pornography to the motel, made advances toward him and stole money from the business.
But Schumate, who decided the verdict last week after Habibian waived a jury trial, said it was impossible to believe Habibian would have kept the victim in his employ if she did all the things he said.
Gross lewdness is a class A misdemeanor, while attempted gross lewdness and lewdness are class B misdemeanors. Schumate will hear a presentencing report on the case Aug. 12.