By Shayna Jacobs
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN SUPREME COURT — A self-proclaimed French TV reporter charged with raping a tourist in Riverside Park will testify before a grand jury for a second straight day on Tuesday, prosecutors said.
Hugues-Denver Akassy, 42, will be cross-examined by prosecutors on Tuesday. He began testimony before the grand jury on Monday, in proceedings that are closed to the public, to dispute charges he raped a Russian tourist who he encountered and seduced at the Time Warner Center, prosecutors said.
The woman agreed to a Riverside Park picnic-date after meeting Akassy just hours before at the Midtown shopping center, prosecutors said.
After their date, he allegedly brought her to a secluded area and sexually assaulted her, according to prosecutors.
Akassy's lawyer, Howard Simmons, claimed the woman and his client had consensual sex in the park on July 25.
The grand jury has been hearing testimony in the case since last week.
Prosecutors have not confirmed whether other alleged victims have come forward.
