Topshop owner Sir Philip Green has been charged with four counts of misdemeanour assault in the US, after allegedly touching a Pilates instructor inappropriately during classes.
Green is accused of spanking the woman and grabbing her buttocks over multiple occasions.
According to Reuters, Green’s Arcadia Group put out a statement on behalf of the billionaire, in which he “strenuously denies” the allegations.
“Contrary to previous suggestions in the media, there is no allegation of any sexual assault or misconduct made by the prosecution,” the statement said, clarifying that Green will not attend the hearing in person.
The charges carry a sentence of up to 30 days in jail, and a $500 fine, Britain’s Press Association reported.
The 67-year old retail mogul was called a “creepy old man” by the accuser, Katie Surridge, who told Arizona police that Green touched her inappropriately at the Canyon Ranch resort in Tucson on multiple occasions.
Surridge is not the first person to make such claims against Green, who was identified in British Parliament last year as the businessman at the centre of a ring of allegations of wrongdoing – ranging from sexual harassment, to racism, to assault, toward members of his staff.
Last year, the Telegraph published allegations that Green had broken a staff member’s phone, groped and kissed another, and made racist remarks toward another.
The company reached a settlement with the employees involved in the allegations, with some receiving up to £1 million.
Green maintained to the Daily Mail that while there had been “some banter”, as far as he was concerned, nothing he has ever said to staff has been offensive.
Arcadia Group is facing significant headwinds at the moment. It recently announced the closure of all Topshop and Topman stores in the US. It will pursue an online-only model there, save for wholesale agreements.
“This has been a tough but necessary decision for the business,” Arcadia chief executive Ian Grabiner told CNN in a statement.
“Against a backdrop of changing retail headwinds, changing consumer habits, and ever increasing online competition, we have seriously considered all possible strategic options to return the group to a stable financial platform.”
While the number of stores to be closed was initially cited at 23, the Guardian noted this figure could easily be doubled.
