The head of commodities brokerage OTC Global Holdings LP faces rape and sexual abuse charges in the latest scandal to embroil the Houston-based firm.
(Bloomberg) — The head of commodities brokerage OTC Global Holdings LP faces rape and sexual abuse charges in the latest scandal to embroil the Houston-based firm.
Javier Loya, OTC’s chairman and chief executive officer, has been charged with rape in the first degree, five counts of sexual abuse in the first degree and one count of sexual abuse in the third degree, according to a pretrial conference scheduled for Aug. 22 in Jefferson County, Kentucky, and posted on a court website.
Details of the charges weren’t immediately available.
“Mr. Loya is innocent and has pled not guilty to all charges,” his lawyer, Andrew Sarne, said in an emailed statement. “He unequivocally and categorically denies these allegations and will vigorously defend his innocence. Mr. Loya has voluntarily taken and 100% passed a polygraph test which confirms his innocence and looks forward to being vindicated in court.”
Loya came under scrutiny in 2019 when he was sued by OTC co-founder John Klosek for allegedly misusing company funds and leaving the firm “deeply in debt.”
Loya also owns less than 0.5% of the Houston Texans NFL team, according to the Washington Post, which reported the criminal charges earlier.
“We are aware of the serious charges filed in the Commonwealth of Kentucky against Javier Loya, one of our outside limited partners,” The Texans said in a statement. “We have agreed with Mr. Loya that while these charges are pending, he will remove himself entirely from any team or league activities.”
The case is Commonwealth v. Loya, 23-cr-950, Kentucky Court of Justice, Jefferson County Circuit Court.
–With assistance from Julie Fine and Lucia Kassai.
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