Chien "Howard" Hwa Shen was assisting in running Wild Ginger and Carne Brazilian Grill when over a period of years he raped one woman, molested another and badgered several others for sex in exchange for cash. Eight women testified against Chen during his criminal case, three of whom returned to Yellowstone County District Court on Friday. As a mother, I want to create a safer world for my children and for all individuals who could be victims of sexual harassment.
Charges against Shen were initially filed in Yellowstone County District Court almost four years ago. Two women told police of their sexual abuse by Shen.
Shen had cornered one woman in the bathroom of one of his restaurants, pulled her underwear down and assaulted her. After raping her, the survivor later testified in court, Shen tried to give her cash. Less than a month later, Shen grabbed a second survivor's breast after he'd given her cash from his wallet, the pay "bonus" he'd promised her, according to court testimony.
In the years after the initial allegations emerged, the investigation into the scope of his abuse expanded. Following those charges, six women joined in a lawsuit filed against Shen, alleging he had sexually assaulted them and subjected them to lewd comments. The lawsuit was settled in December , according to court records. Going into his trial in June , Shen faced nine felonies.
At the end of the nearly two-week trial, he was convicted of four felonies and two misdemeanors, among them rape, sexual assault and prostitution. One woman said she was checking a soap dispenser in the bathroom of one of his restaurants when Shen slid a hand into her bra, leaving cash inside. The jury convicted Shen of abusing six of the eight women who testified. He was jailed in Yellowstone County Detention Facility following his conviction.
