NORTH LAS VEGAS, NV (FOX5) -
The director of Safe Nest's donation center made his first appearance in court Thursday. Ben Vitale, 59, is charged with one count each of sexually motivated coercion, forgery and open and gross lewdness.
According to North Las Vegas police, he made overtures toward a 24-year-old woman on July 22. The woman went to the Safe Nest donation center to work off court-ordered community service. Vitale allegedly offered to sign her papers in exchange for sex.
According to Vitale's arrest report, the victim claims that when he propositioned her, he forcibly kissed and inserted his tongue in her mouth in a locked room.
At one point during the alleged incident, the victim began taking video of Vitale's proposition with her cellphone, which police viewed.
When Vitale was preoccupied, the victim told Vitale she was going outside to smoke a cigarette. She escaped to her vehicle and called police.
"These allegations are very contrary to what our organization is all about," said Lisa Lynn Chapman with Safe Nest.
She told FOX5 that Vitale has worked for them for eight years, had passed all background checks and had a clean record.
"We are very shocked," Chapman said.
North Las Vegas police made an arrest within days after the woman filed her complaint.
"She did bring forward some pretty compelling evidence that led detectives to an arrest," said North Las Vegas police spokesperson Chrissie Coon.
Vitale's lawyer failed to convince the judge to reduce his client's bail, which is set at $20,000, and he remains in jail.
Chapman said the organization has helped victims of domestic violence for more than 30 years. She said at no time did Vitale ever have access to those victims living in their shelter or those at their counseling facility.
"People's response to this and towards our agency has been very positive and we are very grateful," Chapman said.
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Benedetto Vitale (NLVPD)
