The restaurateur was accused of four sexual assaults. The state wants to revoke his liquor license.

The state Attorney General’s Office wants to suspend the liquor license of a restaurant owner who is accused of sexually harassing three employees and a woman who came to one of his establishments for a job interview.

Gerald Araya, 44, of Ewing, who owns four restaurants in Trenton, was arrested last month following an investigation into allegations made by the four victims. One of the victims was 17 at the time of the alleged assault.

He is awaiting trial on six counts of aggravated sexual assault, six counts of sexual assault, two counts of criminal sexual contact and one count each of child abduction and endangering the welfare of a child, the Attorney General’s Office said.

Araya owns Mill Hill Restaurant and Lounge, El Catador Lounge and Restaurant, Dubai Restaurant and Lounge and Trenton Social, all of which have valid liquor licenses, the state said.

The bureau’s Alcohol Control Division has filed a court order requiring Araya to show why the licenses should not be suspended indefinitely.

The department claims that the licenses were used to support alleged criminal activity and that their suspension was “necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare.”

“The criminal conduct alleged against the licensee directly affects the restaurants and bars where he has the right to serve alcoholic beverages,” said New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin. “Today’s action seeks to revoke those licenses to prevent further harm or harassment at those locations.”

The investigation began after a woman told police she went to the Dubai restaurant for a job interview with Araya and he persuaded her to go with him to another of his restaurants in Trenton, “where Araya began mixing drinks for the victim and insisted that she taste them so she would know what she was serving to the patrons,” according to a probable cause affidavit.

The woman told police she began to feel ill and told Araya she wanted to go home. Her next memory was waking up naked in a room at the Mounts Motel in Lawrence Township and being sexually assaulted by Araya, authorities said.

Investigators later obtained surveillance video from the motel and found evidence that the two had been there together, the affidavit said.

The investigation also brought forward three former female employees who alleged that Araya sexually harassed them while working for him, officials said.

The state has not announced a date for Araya’s hearing.

The Mercer County District Attorney’s Office is asking anyone with information about Araya to call 609-989-6568 or email [email protected].

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You can reach Nicolas Fernandes at [email protected].