THE Virgin tycoon, Mr Richard Branson, was returning home yesterday after launching his latest megastore - and fending off allegations that he sexually molested a former employee.
Ever the showman, the businessman and balloonist yesterday descended the huge neon frontage of his New York Virgin Megastore atop a flashing silver globe.
But the extravagant and meticulously planned launch was very nearly soured by sexual harassment allegations.
He disclosed that Virgin had refused to meet a private settlement put forward by lawyers for a former employee, Ms Elizabeth Hlinko, who alleges he fondled her breasts at a party.
Even New Yorkers were impressed by Mr Branson's balloon stunt at the Times Square store. Clad in a silver suit, he clung to the steel hawser used to lower the balloon and sprayed the crowd below with champagne, just as the guardsman hand of the store's huge clock reached noon and saluted.
The Broadway traffic stopped, crowds craned their necks, the cameras flashed, and Mr Branson beamed: "I want to do that again." But he was later clearly troubled by the allegations by the former Virgin Atlantic press officer. "The fact that she has chosen today to file is obviously fairly sickening", he said.
Mr Desmond Barry, a lawyer for the airline, last night said the suit was the result of a disgruntled employee looking for publicity. "There's not an ounce of truth to any of these allegations."