Designer indicted on 59 counts of assault

A judge Thursday unsealed a 59-count indictment against celebrity fashion designer Anand Jon, who faces sexual assault charges involving at least 20 females, including would-be models, according to court documents.

Jon, 33, who initially was charged March 13, is being held without bail. He faces charges that include forcible rape, lewd acts upon a child, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, sexual battery by restraint and attempted forcible oral copulation.

Prosecutors said two additional victims, bringing the total to 20, had come forward.

The victims are between the ages of 14 and 27, authorities said. Seven are from California, and the others are from eight states and two foreign countries, according to the indictment, which was unsealed by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge David Wesley.

Anthony Brooklier, Jon’s lawyer, said the accusers had worked together to make the same accusation against Jon.

“This is made up of whole cloth, this entire case,” Brooklier said. “We think there was collusion. We have e-mail between them.”

Brooklier said some of the alleged victims continued to dine and work with Jon after the initial accusations had surfaced. “Why didn’t they call police?” he said.

The investigation of Jon, featured as one of Newsweek magazine’s people to watch in 2007 and who has designed clothes for Paris Hilton, Mary J. Blige and other celebrities, was launched in March after a woman said Jon had sexually assaulted her at his Beverly Hills home. More women came forward.

If convicted, he could face life in prison.

andrew.blankstein @latimes.com