Celebrity publicist Max Clifford was convicted of several charges of indecent assaults on teenage girls at a London court Monday.
The 71-year-old from Hersham, Surrey was found guilty of eight offenses including four counts of indecent assault on a 15-year-old girl in 1977, two counts of indecent assault on a 16/17-year-old girl between 1981 and 1983, indecent assault on a 19-year-old woman between 1981 and 1982, and indecent assault on an 18-year-old woman in 1984, according to Metropolitan Police.
Clifford is Britain's most famous Public Relations consultant who represented a number of celebrities including O.J. Simpson, Simon Cowell and Frank Sinatra. He is particularly known for what CNN called “kiss-and-tell” clients connected to the entertainment industry and English Premier League football players.
Under the name “Operation Yewtree”, there wsa an investigation into the many allegations made against British television presenter Jimmy Savile after a television documentary aired in October 2012 in which several people alleged he has abused them. Clifford was arrested in December 2012 on suspicion of sex offenses as he was in connection with Savile, stated CNN.
Clifford was charged with the crime last April.
Though the convicted pleads his innocence, CNN stated that media reports provide information that Clifford would promise to help the victims’ careers and introduce them to celebrities in return for sexual favors.
Though the celebrity publicist was found guilty of eight offenses, he was charged with eleven acts of indecent assault. Metropolitan Police reported that Clifford was found not guilty of the indecent assault on an 18-year-old woman between 1975 and 1976 or on a 19-year-old woman in 1979. The jury was unable to reach a verdict on the 11th count of indecent assault on a 14-year-old girl in 1966.
“I would like to thank the victims for their courage and strength in coming forward to speak with us. I hope they feel, and know, they were listened to,” Detective Chief Inspector Michael Orchard from the Sexual Offenses, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, according to Metropolitan Police.
The convicted has been released on bail and is expected to appear at the London court for sentencing on Friday, May 2.