Manhattan prosecutors have dropped almost their entire case against a notorious California fashion designer-turned-serial rapist, allowing him to plead guilty to just a single sex-attack count in what was once a twelve-victim, 49-count indictment.
Under a plea taken in Manhattan Supreme Court today, Anand Jon — whose designs have been worn by Paris Hilton, Oprah Winfrey and Janet Jackson — admitted only to forcing oral sex on one adult, aspiring female model.
On April 2, Jon will be sentenced to the five years he has already served in California; he still has 54 years-to-life remaining on that sentence, which covers his convictions on casting-couch sex assaults involving 16 women and girls.
He still faces additional similar charges in Texas, prosecutors said.
ADA Maxine Rosenthal told a judge that the deal was accepted, “to spare the victims from having to testify at multiple proceedings” and in consideration of his lengthy sentence in California.
Jon lawyers called the deal a victory, and said that some of the materials turned over by Manhattan prosecutors as part of the pre-trial process here will be extremely valuable as he continues work on his California appeal.
“We’ve accomplished what we wanted, which was to obtain records,” said Jon lawyer Kimberly Summers.
Jon’s appeal argues that he had ineffective counsel in California; the Manhattan documents indicate that the CA lawyers never obtained vital police documents and correspondence showing his accusers were squaring their stories among themselves and with civil lawyers, Summers said.
The designer – who has appeared on America’s Next Top Model – didn’t let prison hurt his style. He appeared in court in a dapper Mandarin collared grey suit and freshly cut hair.
“Considering that the initial 49 charges included allegations of rape, drugging and mafia death threats, the settlement of one conviction involving Mr. Alexander’s giving oral sex to an adult female is acceptable,” defense lawyer Angelyn Gates said in a written statement.