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Designer admits molesting wannabe model in NYC

Published: February 14, 2013 Comment on this article

photo - FILE- In this Nov. 13, 2008 file photo, fashion designer Anand Jon Alexander appears at his sexual assault trial in Los Angeles. Alexander has pleaded guilty in New York City to molesting a woman he baited with the promise of modeling work. Alexander admitted to one count of criminal sexual act Thursday. He was sentenced to five years in prison. He already was convicted in California of similar charges and was sentenced there to 59 years to life. Assistant District Attorney Maxine Rosenthal says he also is facing new charges in Texas. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, File)

FILE- In this Nov. 13, 2008 file photo, fashion designer Anand Jon Alexander appears at his sexual assault trial in Los Angeles. Alexander has pleaded guilty in New York City to molesting a woman he baited with the promise of modeling work. Alexander admitted to one count of criminal sexual act Thursday. He was sentenced to five years in prison. He already was convicted in California of similar charges and was sentenced there to 59 years to life. Assistant District Attorney Maxine Rosenthal says he also is facing new charges in Texas. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, File)

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Born in India, Alexander — known professionally as Anand Jon — launched a fashion line in 1999 and built it into a high-flying career. He was featured on "America's Next Top Model," worked with such celebrities as Paris Hilton and Mary J. Blige and was among 20 people profiled by Newsweek in 2006 as up-and-coming players in various industries.

Then sex assault allegations against Alexander began surfacing in 2007. He was convicted in Los Angeles the next year of sexually assaulting seven women and girls, some as young as 14.

Alexander's attorney said after the plea that he admitted to the crime so he could get evidence and materials from New York prosecutors needed to "effectively overturn his California conviction."

"Considering 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 was acceptable," they said in a statement.

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