Marrying Millions star William Hutchinson pleads not guilty to raping an unconscious 16-year-old girl at his South California vacation home
Marrying Millions star William Hutchinson pleaded not guilty yesterday to raping an unconscious 16-year-old girl at his Southern California vacation home.
The reality TV personality, 63, was accused by prosecutors of taking two 16-year-old girls on two trips to his vacation home in Laguna Beach this year.
Prosecutors from the Orange County DA's office alleged he raped one of the girls while she was unconscious and committed four acts of sexual battery against her.
When that female was said to have refused to return for a second visit, he reportedly returned to his vacation home with the other girl where he allegedly committed sexual battery against her.
The real estate developer has been charged with one felony count of rape of an unconscious person, and five misdemeanour counts of sexual battery.
Marrying Millions star William Hutchinson has pleaded not guilty to raping an unconscious 16-year-old girl at his Southern California vacation home
Hutchinson, who is currently free on $100,000 bail, pleaded not guilty to all charges during a hearing Tuesday at Orange County Superior Court.
He declined to comment to reporters after the hearing, telling them as he got into a car: 'Have a nice day, no thank you.'
If convicted, Hutchinson could face up to eight years in state prison and two-and-a-half years in county jail.
His legal team say they will fight the charges in court, and they additionally claim that the alleged victim's story is motivated by greed as he boasts a multi-million dollar fortune.
Elsewhere, Hutchinson has also been charged in Texas with sexual assault tied to allegations of groping a 17-year-old girl at his Dallas-area home in May. He is the teen's legal guardian, court documents say.
He was arrested on July 6 for allegedly molesting the 17-year-old girl, who was passed out on the couch at his Texas home in May.
The reality TV personality , 63, was accused by prosecutors of taking two 16-year-old girls on two trips to his vacation home in Laguna Beach, California this year
Prosecutors alleged Hutchinson raped one of the girls while she was unconscious. He reportedly returned with the other girl and allegedly committed sexual battery against her
Hutchinson, who has denied wrongdoing, surrendered to police in Highland Park, Texas, last week and is free on $30,000 bond in that case.
She said he plied her with alcohol and marijuana and in the morning she woke up in a daze to find him sexually assaulting her. That victim also claimed he gave both substances to a number of other younger women.
The TV star's camp claim the 17-year-old is the same accuser as one of the Laguna Beach accusers, and called the story 'fantastical' as she would have been assaulted twice while unconscious in the span of consecutive months.
Following his Texas arrest and release on bond, Hutchinson will not face charges for assaulting a minor because the age of consent is 17 in Texas.
Prior to the California charges, Hutchinson had also maintained his innocence.
'Anyone who knows me in this city knows that I am not capable of assault, sexual or otherwise,' he said, according to the Dallas Morning News.
Hutchinson shot to fame on the Lifetime show Marrying Millions, which chronicled his relationship with Brianna 'Bri' Ramirez - a hostess at a Dallas restaurant who he met when she was 21.
They got engaged on season two of the show and his now 23-year-old fiancée gushed as recently as April 14: 'Thank you for being there for me when life takes unexpected turns. Thank you for giving me a chance to regroup.'
Elsewhere, Hutchinson, seen in a mugshot, has also been charged in Texas with sexual assault tied to allegations of groping a 17-year-old girl at his Dallas-area home in May
Bill shot to fame on Marrying Millions, which chronicled his relationship with Brianna 'Bri' Ramirez (both pictured) - a hostess at a Dallas restaurant who he met when she was 21
Bri is younger than the Detroit-born businessman's three daughters - Holly, 32; Rachel, 30; and Tess, 28 - from his first marriage to Kathleen.
He also has two younger children - Annebelle, 16; and King, 11 - from his second marriage to a woman named Kandis.
He also owns Texas-based Dunhill Partners, a commercial real estate company that develops, leases or manages shopping centers and other properties nationwide.
On June 11, his commercial real estate investment firm announced that Andy Crosland would take over as president of his real estate company with Hutchinson remaining on as chairman of the board.
'I am happy to pass the torch to Andy, who is a born leader with the talent to back it up,' the Southern Methodist University grad said in a statement.
'He and I have talked about making this move for the past couple of years, and now is the perfect time.'