Standard Hotel Rape Suspect Claims He Is Falsely Accused

The Australian businessman suspected of attempting to rape a maid at the Standard Hotel claims the charges against him are made up. A lawyer representing 42-year-old Matthew Moorhouse denied allegations that his client forced himself upon a hotel staffer last Saturday as she tidied up his $400-per-night room. "There was no assaultive conduct — nothing that can be construed in that fashion," his lawyer, Joseph DeMatteo, told The Post. The suspect served four nights in jail before being released yesterday on $20,000 bail. According to the criminal complaint, Moorhouse asked the victim "Where are you from? How long have you been here?" before pushing her onto a bed, groping her, and shouting "Touch me!" Another hotel worker heard the victim's screams, and the woman was able to escape from the room and alert hotel security.