Hugues-Denver Akassy, the Ivory Coast native who claimed in court to be an irresistible ladies man, was convicted today of raping one woman and harassing three others. However, the self-described journalist was acquitted of a fifth attack. Akassy now faces a possible 25 years behind bars for his role as the "Riverside Rapist." more ›

Hugues Akassy, who is accused of raping a woman in Riverside Park in 2010, forcing a different woman to give him oral sex, and stalking numerous other women, took the stand yesterday. And though he has been portrayed as a homeless squatter, Akassy wasted no time portraying himself as an irresistible ladies man skilled in the fine art of seduction, from his love of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sex And The City to his four college degrees and sonorous French accent. “You say sex—I say ‘making love,’” he corrected his defense lawyer yesterday. more ›

The trial of accused rapist Hugues Akassy continued yesterday with testimony from a gallery director who said he stole the venue's keys and copied them, so he could hide out there. The Post reports that 25CPW's Bess Greenberg spotted him hiding behind a pillar. When asked about her reaction, she said, "Shock... And disbelief. And then -- that sort of fear, of not being able to register what was behind the mind of the person who had just broken in and who I was alone with in the back of the gallery." more ›

The trial for the man allegedly raped a woman in Riverside Park in 2010—and stalked numerous other women— finally started. A woman who briefly went out with Hugues Akassy but found his behavior odd and aggressive said she received this text from him, "You are the most shallow, pathetic, retarded idiot woman I have ever met." And when he sent that text, Akassy was supposedly banging on her apartment door yelling "bitch!" because she wouldn't let him in her apartment. more ›

Last year police arrested 43-year-old Hugues Akassy after he allegedly raped a date in Riverside Park. Soon after the arrest a number of other woman (including an assistant DA) came forward to say that the native Frenchman had sexually assaulted them or attempted to. Since then, the self-styled TV reporter has been remanded to jail and apparently it has not been treating him well. Akassy is trying to get transfered out of Rikers because he says he's been repeatedly assaulted. more ›

After the Manhattan DA's office asked if anyone had information about a man accused of raping a woman in Riverside Park, at least 10 more women have come forward. This is an addition to three other incidents of allegedly trespassing and harassing women. A source tells the Daily News, "Women are calling every day, saying he stalked or harassed or in several other cases, attacked them. This was his real profession - harassing women." In fact, a Gothamist reader thanked us for posting the Manhattan DA's office contact information, because she said she had a scary run-in with Akassy, too. more ›

The man suspected of raping a woman in Riverside Park last week after their picnic date may have a history of questionable behavior with women. The Manhattan DA's office is asking if anyone with information about suspect Hugues-Denver Akassy to contact the office and the Post reports, "Akassy allegedly struck three times since March 2009, tormenting his victims on the street, via e-mail, and even climbing a fire escape to one woman’s apartment." And a Post columnist who once went out with him also tells about her upsetting encounter with him. more ›