Fashion designer charged with rape

March 14 , 2007

Adapted from CBSnews.com

A celebrity fashion designer who has appeared several times on "America's Next Top Model" has been charged with sexual assault and rape involving two women and a 15-year-old girl, authorities said.

The 33-year-old was charged with six felonies accusing him of a series of sexual assaults, according to a criminal complaint filed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office.

The Indian-born designer, who goes by the name Anand Jon, was arrested at his Beverly Hills apartment after a woman accused him of rape, authorities said.

"Subsequently, additional evidence led us to other victims," said a spokesman for the Beverly Hills Police Department, which is investigating the case.

The charges include forcible rape and lewd acts on a child. Prosecutors have also charged a special circumstance allegation of multiple victims. If convicted, he faces a maximum of life in prison.

The man’s attorney denied the allegations.

"He absolutely contends he didn't break any laws with respect to the contact he had with these women," the attorney said.

Considered an up-and-coming designer in the fashion world, the man launched his fashion line in 1999 after graduating from the Parsons School of Design in New York. He has dressed such celebrities as Paris Hilton, Michelle Rodriguez and Mary J. Blige.

This year, “Newsweek” named him a person to watch. The magazine cited his plans to launch a high-end jeans line and an upcoming reality show on VH1. He also has made several appearances on Tyra Banks' modeling competition "America's Next Top Model."

The lawyer said his client met one of his accusers online after she expressed interest in working with him.

"When you have people desperate to be in fashion, they get upset when you don't place them where they want to be," he said, adding that his client was involved with many different women.

"When you deal with a large amount of women, you're going to have potential false allegations made against you," the lawyer said.

Immigration authorities have placed a hold on the man and will take custody of him after local authorities complete their prosecution. A spokeswoman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said she had no immediate information on the man’s immigration status but added most holds occur when officials believe someone is in the country illegally.

The lawyer said his client came to the United States on a professional work visa.