Anand Jon Case

Washington: Friends and family of fashion designer Anand Jon have expressed dismay at the media story of his arrest on multiple charges of rape and sexual assault involving three victims, including a 15-year-old. The 33-year-old Indian origin 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.

Anand Jon has designed cloths for Paris Hilton.

The Los Angeles County district attorney's office said Jon was charged with six felonies and one misdemeanour for alleged sexual assaults between October 2004 and March 2005.

However, Jon's family and friends suggested in a press release that Jon was "arrested for improper behaviour". And "this rock star celebrity fashion designer, like everyone else in the court system, is innocent until proven otherwise, not the other way around.

"In America, you're not supposed to be tried in the media, but everyone has a right to their day in court to defend themselves. The press is supposed to report the news as facts, as it happens, unbiased. Any false accusation can ruin a person's life.

"As the news stories come out one seems to be more sensationalised than the next with the facts more exaggerated," the statement said.

"We stand by our man!" said a spokesman of Jon's company. "In America, we are innocent until proven otherwise. There has been a lot of support for the designer, with many of his celebrity friends calling in to add their support."

Sanjana Jon, Anand Jon's sister, "...firmly believes in the innocence of my brother. I've worked along side him for many years and he always maintained a professional relationship with the workers, models and volunteers".

Jon's attorney, Ronald Richards, said the allegations were fabrications by models who believed they weren't getting the work they had expected from the designer. "He's justifiably upset; he's never been in jail before. He's concerned about his future and concerned about his career."

The New York Daily News quoted the defendant's attorney as saying: "My client vehemently denies any unlawful sexual acts. We believe the LA County district attorney's office will treat my client fairly and this matter will resolve itself."

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