The Guilderland Police Department has been conducting additional interviews with individuals who have accused Bally’s employee James G. Carter of inappropriate conduct.
Last week, a second woman came forward and alleged an employee at Bally’s Total Fitness in Crossgates Mall of inappropriate conduct.
The new accusations surfaced after James G. Carter, 20, was arrested and charged on Saturday, Feb. 3, by Guilderland police detectives with third degree sexual abuse, forcible touching, and unlawful imprisonment, all misdemeanors.
The victim contacted police after the incident and an investigation ensued.
The original charges stemmed from an incident in which Carter was arrested after police detectives received a complaint from one of Bally’s female clients. According to the investigation, on Thursday evening Carter locked himself and the client in a restroom at Bally’s and forcibly touched the woman and attempted to force himself on her. According to a police report, Carter allegedly grabbed the women’s breasts and attempted to pull down her shirt.
In the second complaint, Guilderland police investigator John Tashjian said the woman was not touched, and Carter was charged with unlawful imprisonment for trying to prevent the woman from leaving the room.
Carter was able to get the women alone in both instances by telling them that he was going to conduct a body fat assessment, said Tashjian.
Carter, a sales associate, is not qualified to conduct assessments for the fitness facility. Bally’s requests that any time a physical assessment is conducted on a woman by a man, that a witness be present.
Tashjian said Bally’s management has been very cooperative in the investigation.
`Mr. Carter has been suspended by the company pending the outcome of the police investigation,` said company spokesperson Matt Messinger. `The safety and security of our members is our No. 1 priority, and we are working closely with the police on this matter,`
More charges are upcoming pending the results of the investigation, said Tashjian.
Police are asking that if any other person has experienced a similar incident to contact them at 356-1501.
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