Embattled Guess founder Paul Marciano, 71, 'is being investigated by the FBI for sexual improprieties' two sources familiar with the probe told Mediaite.
Marciano, who has a net worth of $388 million, is allegedly being investigated over his relations with women who modeled or aspired to model for the global fashion house.
The 71-year-old who founded the brand in 1981 and built it into the powerhouse it is today has been accused by a number of women of sexual assault and misconduct over the past two decades.
He recently settled a pair of sexual misconduct lawsuits with two former Guess models for $1 million - but maintains his innocence vehemently, denying any misconduct and not conceding to any wrongdoing in those settlements.
Embattled Guess founder Paul Marciano (center in green), 71, 'is being investigated by the FBI for sexual improprieties' two sources familiar with the probe told Mediaite
Marciano recently settled a pair of sexual misconduct lawsuits with two former Guess models for $1 million - but maintains his innocence vehemently denying any misconduct and not conceding to any wrongdoing in those settlements
A source told Mediaite they spoke to the FBI as part of their alleged investigation and that they were 'shocked to hear how many people they'd contacted.'
A month later the source claims that the FBI special agent contacted them with an update.
The 71-year-old founded the brand in 1981 and built it into the powerhouse it is today and has been accused by a number of women of sexual assault and misconduct over the past two decades
'Their investigation had grown in scale as they informed me they had contacted over one hundred former and current models,' the source said.
An FBI spokesperson told the outlet: 'In keeping with DOJ standard practice, the FBI neither confirms nor denies the existence of an investigation. We have no further comment.'
Rep for Marciano, Eric Rose, denied knowledge of any FBI probe saying that they are 'not aware of any investigation.'
He went on to praise Marciano for 'building Guess from the foundation and devoting his life to the company and the people who work there.'
'Numerous models discuss their experiences at Guess,' he added.
It comes after a number of allegations against Marciano by women who modeled for Guess or wanted a chance to model with the brand.
During the Me Too movement, a series of women came forward that sparked multiple lawsuits against Marciano causing him to briefly departed from the helm of the fashion brand.
In September 2022 Marciano settled two lawsuits for a total of $1 million, one with Amanda Rodriguez and another with Gwen Van Meir.
Rodriguez, the former Guess model who identified in court as Jane Doe 1, sued Marciano in January 2021. She alleged he sexually assaulted her a year prior by luring her to an empty apartment with the promise of job opportunities
The lawsuits were with Jan Doe 1 Amanda Rodriguez and another with Jane Doe 2 Gwen Van Meir
Van Meir, who was identified as Jan Doe 2 in court, another ex-Guess model came forward alongside Rodriguez with allegations that Marciano sexually harassed her during a July 2020 photo shoot. She's pictured in 2019
Rodriguez, the former Guess model who identified in court as Jane Doe 1, sued Marciano in January 2021.
She alleged he sexually assaulted her a year prior by luring her to an empty apartment with the promise of job opportunities.
It was there, she claimed, Marciano forced her to perform oral sex on him.
After multiple attempts by Marciano's legal team to out his accuser in court, Rodriguez publicly identified herself in a dramatic press conference.
She was sat alongside Lisa Bloom, who also represents Van Meir, who was identified as Jan Doe 2 in court, and another ex-Guess model who came forward alongside Rodriguez with allegations that Marciano sexually harassed her during a July 2020 photo shoot.
Marciano and Guess denied all claims against him.
In the company's SEC report, it declared that after settling with the two plaintiffs: 'All previously pending claims of individuals alleging personal mistreatment by Mr. Paul Marciano have now been resolved.'
Supermodel Kate Upton also spoke out publicly against Marciano in 2018 claiming that he'd assaulted her the first time they met for a shoot
Celebrity photographer and director Chris Applebaum who would often shoot Guess models during his career claimed in 202 that he'd witnessed Marciano sexually harass models
In 2021, the 71-year-old was sued by an unidentified aspiring model who alleged he raped her without a condom during a meeting in 2013.
Meanwhile, another woman who worked for his boutique in the 80s accused him of forcing her to perform oral sex when he offered her a ride home from work.
Supermodel Kate Upton also spoke out publicly against Marciano in 2018 claiming that he'd assaulted her the first time they met for a shoot.
After her allegations the fashion mogul stepped down from his role only to remain in the company and return to the board in 2022.
Celebrity photographer and director Chris Applebaum who would often shoot Guess models during his career claimed in 202 that he'd witnessed Marciano sexually harass models.
'Even after everything has come out I continue to have models tell me that they've been groped or put in a compromising situation, with the expectation that this is what needs to be done to become a Guess girl: take care of Paul,' Applebaum said.
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