Guess cofounder Paul Marciano ‘is reportedly being investigated by the FBI for sexual improprieties’ after $1M settlement with Gwen Van Meir and Amanda Rodriguez
Disputed Guess founder Paul Marciano, 71, “is under investigation by the FBI for sexual improprieties,” two sources familiar with the investigation told Mediaite.
Marciano, who has a net worth of $388 million, is reportedly under investigation for his relationships 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 of sexual assault and misconduct by a number of women over the past two decades.
He recently settled a pair of sexual misconduct lawsuits with two former Guess models for $1 million, but vehemently maintains his innocence, denying any wrongdoing and not admitting to any wrongdoing in those settlements.
Disputed Guess founder Paul Marciano (center in green), 71, “is under investigation by the FBI for sexual improprieties,” two sources familiar with the investigation told Mediaite
Marciano recently settled a pair of sexual misconduct lawsuits with two former Guess models for $1 million, but maintains his innocence by vehemently denying any wrongdoing and not admitting to any wrongdoing in those settlements.
A source told Mediaite that they had spoken to the FBI as part of their alleged investigation and were “shocked to learn how many people they had 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. Over the past 20 years, he has been accused of sexual assault and misconduct by a number of women.
“Their investigation had increased in scope when they told me they had contacted over 100 past and present models,” the source said.
An FBI spokesperson told the newspaper, “Consistent with standard DOJ practice, the FBI does not confirm or deny the existence of an investigation. We have no further comment.’
Marciano’s representative, Eric Rose, denied knowledge of any FBI investigation, saying they are “not aware of any investigation.”
He went on to praise Marciano for “building Guess from the ground up and dedicating 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 for the brand.
During the Me Too movement, a series of women emerged that spawned multiple lawsuits against Marciano, briefly taking him away from the helm of the fashion brand.
In September 2022, Marciano settled two lawsuits totaling $1 million, one with Amanda Rodriguez and one with Gwen Van Meir.
Rodriguez, the former Guess model who identified herself in court as Jane Doe 1, sued Marciano in January 2021. She alleged that he had sexually assaulted her a year earlier by luring her to an empty apartment with the promise of employment.
The lawsuits were with Jan Doe 1 Amanda Rodriguez and another with Jane Doe 2 Gwen Van Meir
Van Meir, who was identified in court as Jan Doe 2, another ex-Guess model alongside Rodriguez came forward with allegations that Marciano sexually assaulted her during a July 2020 photo shoot. She is pictured in 2019
Rodriguez, the former Guess model who identified herself in court as Jane Doe 1, sued Marciano in January 2021.
She alleged that he had sexually assaulted her a year earlier by luring her to an empty apartment with the promise of employment.
It was there, she claimed, that Marciano forced her to perform oral sex on him.
After multiple attempts by Marciano’s legal team to exonerate his accuser in court, Rodriguez publicly identified himself during a dramatic press conference.
She sat next to Lisa Bloom, who also represents Van Meir, who was identified in court as Jan Doe 2, and another ex-Guess model who came forward alongside Rodriguez with allegations that Marciano sexually assaulted her during a July photoshoot 2020.
Marciano and Guess denied all claims against him.
In the company’s SEC report, after reaching a settlement with the two plaintiffs, the company stated, “All previously pending claims from individuals alleging personal assault by Mr. Paul Marciano have now been resolved.”
Supermodel Kate Upton also publicly spoke out against Marciano in 2018, claiming he assaulted her the first time they met for a shoot
Famed photographer and director Chris Applebaum, who often shot Guess models during his career, claimed in 202 that he witnessed Marciano sexually harassing models
In 2021, the 71-year-old was sued by an unknown aspiring model who claimed he raped her without a condom at a 2013 rally.
Meanwhile, another woman who worked for his boutique in the 1980s accused him of forcing her to perform oral sex when he offered her a ride home from work.
Supermodel Kate Upton also publicly spoke out against Marciano in 2018, claiming he assaulted her the first time they met for a shoot.
Following her accusations, the fashion mogul resigned from his position to remain in the company and return to the board in 2022.
Famed photographer and director Chris Applebaum, who often shot Guess models throughout his career, claimed in 202 that he witnessed Marciano sexually harassing models.
“Even after everything has come out, I still get told by models that they’ve been groped or put in a compromising situation, expecting that this is what it takes to become a Guess girl: make sure for Paul,” Applebaum said.