Indian-born celebrity fashion designer has been charged with rape, sexual battery and lewd acts on a minor

Dan Whitcomb:

Celebrity fashion designer Anand Jon has been charged with rape, sexual battery and lewd acts on a minor in what prosecutors say were assaults on two women and a 15-year-old girl.

But a lawyer for Indian-born Jon said on Wednesday the sex was consensual and suggested the women had falsely accused his client because he did not make them famous.

"He's very distraught. He's never been in jail before," attorney Ronald Richards said.

The designer, 33, has appeared on the U.S. TV show "America's Next Top Model" and was named by Newsweek magazine in its list of people to watch in 2007.

He was arrested in Beverly Hills last week and charged with rape, committing lewd acts on a child, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and other sexual offenses.

He was held on $1.3 million bail.

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