Butler: I only gave her a hug

As of Monday, December 3, 2018

By Morgan Adderley

Tribune Staff Reporter

madderley@tribunemedia.net

THE accused former butler in the $30m Sandals resort sexual assault lawsuit broke his silence over the weekend, maintaining all he did was hug the bride-to-be — at her request.

Moral Adderley.

Moral Adderley, pictured, went on to say his alleged victim, Ashley Reid Pascarella, is suffering not from post-traumatic stress disorder, as she alleged in court documents filed in the US last week, but instead from not telling the truth. He also suggested this entire lawsuit is more than likely part of an elaborate “gimmick (or) scheme”.

He added since the couple has gone forward with their story, he has received threatening messages and death threats from around the world.

Mr Adderley made these remarks in an interview with Eyewitness News that aired on Friday.

John Pascarella and Ashley Reid Pascarella.

On Wednesday, The Tribune reported Mrs Pascarella and her husband John Pascarella filed a lawsuit against Sandals in the Supreme Court of the state of New York last Tuesday for $30m.

According to court documents, Sandals assigned Mr Adderley to the couple as part of their “dream wedding” package. On April 15, 2016, the lawsuit alleges Mr Adderley “stealthily entered the bedroom of (Mrs Pascarella) and undertook surreptitiously to fondle, grope, and take sexual liberties of (her) beneath her bed-clothes and clothing.”

Mr Adderley, however, is vigorously denying that such an attack ever took place. Instead, he maintained that he was “nothing but professional, nice, kind, humorous, (and) decent to them at all times.”

The former Sandals employee admitted to pleading guilty to indecent assault in a Magistrate’s Court, but said he changed his initial “not guilty” plea in an effort to escape serving prison time and thus missing his father’s funeral.

“I am just here to clear my name… to tell the Bahamian people my side because they have only heard their side,” Mr Adderley told the TV station.

“The night before the wedding (the couple) had a cocktail party round the pool. They introduced me to their entire family.

“Towards the end of the cocktail party Mr and Mrs Reid said they were going to turn in for the night. Being a butler I never left any of my guests until they turned in for the night, that’s when I know service is completed,” Mr Adderley continued.

“Upon them saying they were going to bed Mr Reid asked me if I could bring a couple of bottles of water to the room which I went... to find.

“Completing what he asked me to do, I went to the room and I did proceed protocol — which is you knock, assert your name as the butler, within a few seconds if no answer you enter the room.

“When I knocked on the door Mr Reid opened the door, I then asked him where he would like me to place the bottles of water. He said both sides of the bed.

“As I proceeded to do that Mrs Reid was laying down in her bed. She was awake. I asked if she was happy about getting married the following day. She replied she was.

“Before leaving the room I asked Mrs Reid if she would like to place her breakfast order which they did every night.

“She placed her breakfast order (and) she said ‘Moral, you’re the best. Can I have a hug before you leave?’

“Mr Reid was in the bathroom area. When I hugged her, he walked out and when he walked out, I said ‘Mr Reid, would you like to place your breakfast order as well?’ He said, ‘Sure’.

“After I took his order he let me out of the room. There was never any issue.”

“I proceeded to the butlers’ lounge on the first floor. As I was completing my night duties I heard a big commotion outside and I walked out and saw Mr Reid. I said. ‘Mr Reid, is everything okay?’

“He said, “No everything is not okay, my wife said you touched her butt.’

“I said ‘That’s obscene. Your wife asked me for a hug which I did... It’s hard for me to touch someone’s butt if they’re sitting in a bed and I’m hugging them.”

Mr Adderley also claimed: “The night manager came and said this wasn’t the time or place to deal with this and that they would settle the issue in the morning.

“... In the morning I called their phone in their room to say breakfast was on its way. I was just doing my butler’s job despite the accusation.

“The general manager said he needed to see me in his office. I explained everything to them and they told me to go to Cable Beach Police Station and make a report.”

Two members of Sandals staff accompanied Mr Adderley to the station when it dawned on him what the situation really was.

“I was fired immediately,” he said.

Mr Adderley decried the treatment Sandals meted out to him, despite his years of dedicated service.

“When I went to the police station I was arrested immediately. I never had a fair opportunity.

“Sandals took the oath of their guests over one of their star employees, someone who had won numerous awards.”

Mr Adderley then explained why he went on to admit a charge of indecent assault.

“My initial plea was not guilty,” he said. “I made a hasty, unwise decision at the time by not taking a lawyer with me to court because I didn’t know the extent of this case.

“My plea was not guilty but when I was in court the magistrate remanded me to prison for three months. Because I am the sole provider for my family, I was a newlywed as well, three months into my marriage.

“My father had passed away at the same time. He was cremated by mistake at Princess Margaret Hospital.

“There was so much going on at the time. I would have missed my father’s memorial, my wife and daughter, because I would have been remanded.

“When I made the not guilty claim and (the judge) remanded me… I asked her if I was to change my plea what would happen?

“She said it would go on my record and I would have to pay a fine to the Crown. My family told me not to but when my father passed away I did not have the chance to see him on his dying bed, the next chance would have been the funeral.

“It was unfair but easier for me to plead guilty, pay the fine and walk. To this day if I could go back there I still wouldn’t change it.”

Mr Adderley then addressed the Pascarellas.

“The couple as of today are rejoicing, they feel they have a case because I pleaded guilty.

“The allegations are devastating because I was nothing but professional, nice, kind, humourous, decent to them at all times,” the former butler said.

“She claims she is suffering from (PTSD) … one day the truth is going to come out. I will have my innocence back and the Bahamian people will see me for who I am and who they really were.

“Sooner or later - could be one of their family members is going to come forward and say it’s just a gimmick, a scheme.

“I have been getting calls at all times of the night. I have been getting threats on Facebook - from New Jersey, from Dallas, Canada – people have been sending me death threats because they have listened to her side.

“I didn’t have a fair chance from the moment they claimed these false allegations.”

• Throughout the interview, Mr Adderley referred to the couple as “the Reids” and Ashley Reid Pascarella’s husband as “Mr Reid”. However, the husband’s name is John Pascarella.

joeblow 5 years, 4 months ago

His story sounds far more credible than hers, but his reputation is destroyed because of an unsubstantiated allegation. He should counter sue for defamation!

bogart 5 years, 4 months ago

He must be commended for going through all this and info now supported with other details here suggests that he is falsely being accused with the amount for compemsation sought a hefty 30 million. Seems he was set up.. 30 million hmmm....

tell_it_like_it_is 5 years, 4 months ago

Yeah, this story isn't adding up at all.

stillwaters 5 years, 4 months ago

Should have left the water and turned down the hug. Newly married, didn't need to be hugging anybody.

bogart 5 years, 4 months ago

Not yet newly married........But on eve ....of wedding white woman... sitting on bed ....asks.. black butler serving as servant.... for hug....why would white woman come all dis way to get married to white man who also came all dis way wid her....for significant event...choose to ask black servant for hug.....???????....... Many pore persons usually just seem to plead GUILTYand call it a day .....which has always been wrong.....Fox Hill is filled wid so many pore people.....while the rich and connected just seem to never be guilty......

TheMadHatter 5 years, 4 months ago

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.

TheMadHatter 5 years, 4 months ago

Sorry

sheeprunner12 5 years, 4 months ago

It is so sad that black men are always accused of "assaulting" white women ......... especially when we have such a sordid past with white slave masters raping their black slave women ...... this sounds like a hoax to get money from Sandals ......... now that they are probably on hard economic times?????? ........... so sad

jamaicaproud 5 years, 4 months ago

Mr Sheep, I have to agree with you on this one. Everyone seems to have a hustle these days, and New Jersey seems to be the centre of it all. Though this won't cover all the bases, I don't do the huggy thing at work or out in business. I try to be seriously cordial. However I guess being a butler "which I think is a nonsensical position" one has to grin and be nice.

realfreethinker 5 years, 4 months ago

Under no circumstance I would have pleaded guilty. I know he said his father died however for me let the dead bury the dead. He has ruined his life. I suspect their story is a scam.

spoitier 5 years, 4 months ago

He was the sole person paying the bills for his family and still had another job, if he did plead not guilty he would've gone to jail for 3 months, hence losing the other job and wife and kids could've been out in the street, and when he come out of jail, he probably wouldn't have find another job. So to plead not guilty would've ruin his life also. I am not dismissing what you said but pleading guilty is the lesser of two evil, so instead of us getting on him for pleading guilty, we all should be getting on the system for not giving people bail, especially for a crime like this one.

joeblow 5 years, 4 months ago

Alleged crime!

spoitier 5 years, 4 months ago

You are right, I am with the brother 100%

DWW 5 years, 4 months ago

Agreed. Thanks to the amendment to the bail act whereby anyone in the bahamas is now guilty until proven innocent. Way to go bahamas, way to go

John 5 years, 4 months ago

In a way Sandals have to take the blame because they took the guests side without even hearing the butler’s side. Then firing him and having him arrested. And there’s such a variance between what the couple is charging and the butlers version of what took place. Both parties agree that breakfast orders were taken for both husband and wife so did she give her order before or after she was assaulted? And the reason they are asking for so much, the think they have an open and shut case because the butler pled guilty. Apparently their expectation is that Sandals will settle for some lesser amount, rather than going to trial. And, of course, if Sandals does opt to go the court, they will need the butler to testify since, according to him, even the police did not get a statement on record from him. In matters like this but your bottom dollar that neither the husband or wife will willingly take the stand if the matter goes to trial.

My2centz 5 years, 4 months ago

Their motive is very clear. They were more offended by the $15k compensation offered by Sandals, than what amounted to a slap on the wrist for someone who supposedly molested her and caused two years of trauma. I've read where Sandals will fight in court, I hope they do.

The only victim here is Mr. Adderley. I dont believe bail was an option. So if I had to choose between waiting it out in fox hill until my case is heard or putting it behind me...I may have done the same.

sheeprunner12 5 years, 4 months ago

But Mr. Adderley's criminal record (indecent assault) will stick ........... and in this country, his options have been reduced to 2% of his former career now.

Travel, visa, employment etc. has been taken away from him because of this.

Sandals and this couple have in fact taken away his normal life.

My2centz 5 years, 4 months ago

3 months in Fox Hill sound just as bad. He would truly have PTSD from that experience. Not to mention zero income while incarcerated as the provider for his family plus lawyer costs. He made the logical choice of two very bad options. Sandals need to be sued for millions by him, for their role in this.

tell_it_like_it_is 5 years, 4 months ago

But what kills me... how is it that persons accused of MURDER get bail, but there is no bail for this charge?
The court system is mixed up just like everything else in this country!

My2centz 5 years, 4 months ago

The fact that people can pay a fine for the hit and run death of another person shows how illogical and absurd it really is. It needs a complete overhaul so that penalties fit the crimes.

sealice 5 years, 4 months ago

You mean i can go into Sandals claim someone groped me and get $15K? Will that even pay for a weekend visit??

jackbnimble 5 years, 4 months ago

I always say the truth has a funny way of surfacing after all the lies are told.

There is hope. I hope he keeps his chin up in all this. Anyone reading his version knows this couple is lying in exchange for a payday. But you know what? Even if they successfully sue and win the money won't last. Karma has a funny way of coming back around so they'd better be careful.

Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 4 months ago

In the hospitality business, you never ever touch a guest in any setting without permission and without one or more friendly witnesses being present to witness the permission. That's Hospitality Course 101 and obviously Moral Adderley either did not attend the course or did so and chose to ignore this fundamental rule to his (and Sandal's) great peril!

spoitier 5 years, 4 months ago

She ask for a hug so that would've been permission. However, it is a good idea to say it is against company policies to hug guess even if it is not.

Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 4 months ago

Please go back home wherever that may be.

John 5 years, 4 months ago

He did say the husband came into the bedroom area from the bathroom area and gave him his breakfast order after he finished hugging the wife, who also gave her breakfast order.

Well_mudda_take_sic 5 years, 4 months ago

Please.....the guy has already admitted his guilt....and even if he's dumber than Gomer Pile it still doesn't make him any less guilty.

sheeprunner12 5 years, 4 months ago

We all know what really goes on between Bahamian male hotel workers and white tourist women .......... The "Dexter" syndrome in full effect ...... or Stella getting her groove on ......... Either way ......... SMT

TheMadHatter 5 years, 4 months ago

"My father had passed away at the same time. He was cremated by mistake at Princess Margaret Hospital."

Same thing happened to me last week. I went for a blood test to a certain medical facility in Nassau - just wanted to test for low iron anemia - and they turned around and cremated me. Very poor service to say the least.

Julia 5 years, 4 months ago

First she was sleeping and he was groping her, Now we hear the husband said he touched her butt. The thing about lying is you always forget your previous lie Couple clearly trying a scam! Easy to say he should have pleaded not guilty but 3 months jail That law needs to be reviewed.

realfreethinker 5 years, 4 months ago

The first mistake he made was hugging her in an intimate setting like a bedroom. That's a red flag right there. In the lawsuit they said thje butler sneaked into the room while the husband was in the shower he then sneaked up to the fed and touch her under the cover and ran out. someone is lieing here.

joeblow 5 years, 4 months ago

Who enters a room to grope a wife when the husband is in the room at the time? How would he have known the husband was in the shower when he decided to enter the room to allegedly grope the wife?
How would he have known the wife was asleep and would not create a scene when he decided to enter the room? Questions that add up to the fact that the guests story sounds fishy!

TorontoGal 5 years, 4 months ago

I agree there is something very odd about this lawsuit and I also feel it's a scam. This scam could be pulled off so easily.. she probably had a few drinks earlier since there was a party and was exhubarant about getting married the next day, they are all comfortable enough with each other so it is plausible they would think she'd ask for a hug and he'd oblige even if it was against company policy because, after all they are nice people and the husband to be is right there coming out of the bathroom. What a great scam!! This pair is looking for an easy way to pay their wedding bill and don't give a damn who suffers as long as they get what they want.

They should both spent their honeymoon in Fox Hill Pen

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