Arizona Teacher Hits UK Mogul With Big Accusation

Sir Philip Green is up on 4 misdemeanor assault charges
By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 1, 2019 4:30 PM CDT
Billionaire Mogul Charged With Assaulting Pilates Teacher
In this file photo dated Wednesday, June 5, 2013, Philip Green speaks during an interview at his new Topshop store in Hong Kong.   (AP Photo/Kin Cheung, FILE)

No, slapping and groping aren't part of Pilates. That's why Arizona prosecutors have charged British retail giant Sir Philip Green with four counts of misdemeanor assault for allegedly groping his instructor in class, CNN reports. "I felt very taken advantage of and like, you know, just a piece of meat there at his disposal," instructor Katie Surridge told the Telegraph last month. "It feels completely sexual in nature. And the way—the noises, and the 'Oh, you naughty girl.' Like, ugh, I can hear him saying it right now." Surridge says it happened twice, in 2016 and 2018, when the billionaire attended her classes at the Canyon Ranch resort in Tucson. And she complained to resort staff both times.

The first time, she says the "creepy old man" slapped her behind "vigorously." Two years later, he allegedly wrapped his hands around her waist and grabbed her behind, leaving them there like "he's hugging me." The 67-year-old chairman of Arcadia Group has been dogged by similar accusations before, per the New York Times. Five ex-employees accused him in 2018 of racist and sexual abuse, sparking a British #MeToo scandal that led Beyonce to end a business venture with Green. Now, as his stores appear to be faltering, Green faces up to 30 days in jail, a year of probation, and a fine of up to $500 for each charge. Arcadia says he strongly denies all accusations. (Hostesses complained about groping at a charity event Green attended last year.)

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