A building superintendent pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges he raped, sexually abused and coerced an undocumented immigrant who cleaned apartments in the Flatiron building where he worked.
The alleged abuse occurred over a six-year period when prosecutors said Jose Espinoza, 54, used threats and violence to prevent the victim, who has a special needs child, from leaving.
According to court documents, he offered money in exchange for sex if she agreed to clean apartments in his building.
In 2018, Espinoza started to assault and beat the woman and initiated a campaign of control by demanding she send him photographs over text so he could determine her whereabouts, prosecutors said.
Espinoza is charged with labor trafficking, rape, aggravated sexual abuse, criminal sex act and assault.
“These alleged acts are absolutely horrendous, and I cannot imagine the physical, emotional and mental trauma this survivor continues to experience. It took extraordinary strength and courage for her to come forward and our team of specially trained prosecutors, investigators and social workers will support her with every resource we have available,” said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.