LOS ANGELES: Celebrity Indian-origin fashion designer Anand Jon has been now charged with committing a total of 20 sexual offences against five women and two girls after four new victims came forward with allegations.
The 33-year-old designer to the stars, whom Newsweek named one of the people to watch in its "Who's Next in 2007" issue, was arrested in Los Angeles March 6. He is being held in lieu of $1.3 million bail. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have also placed a hold on the New York-based designer.
Jon was arrested on multiple charges of rape and sexual assault involving three victims, including a 15-year-old.
Additional charges of sexual assault committed against three women and a 17-year-old girl, were filed during a hearing at Los Angeles Superior Court Monday, according to media reports.
All the alleged victims have connections to the fashion industry.
Jon has, however, denied the charges.
Jon's attorney Ronald Richards, told the Los Angeles Times soon after his client was arrested that the allegations were fabricated by models who were looking to get even with the designer for not hiring them.
"These girls fly in for model jobs after months of dialogue filled with flirtation. They have sexual interaction and if he doesn't put them in the show...then sometime later they claim they had unwanted sex," he said.
