The owner of two restaurants in Woodbury and Commack pleaded not guilty today to sexually abusing a female employee.

Detectives say 39-year-old Tom Lam, of Flushing, Queens, forcibly touched the 24-year-old woman at Nisen Restaurant on Jericho Turnpike in Woodbury.

The alleged incident happened Nov. 17 when Lam called the woman into his office to collect her tips. According to investigators, Lam made several comments telling his employee how attracted he was to her, but when she rejected his advances, he started to get aggressive.

Police say after Lam touched the 24-year-old woman, she told him to stop, but he refused. She somehow managed to escape and call 911. It was several weeks before detectives felt that they had enough evidence to arrest Lam.

His bail was set at $20,000 bond or $10,000 cash. He has no prior criminal record.

Police are asking any other possible victims to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS, or contact the 2nd Precinct at 516-573-6253.