The heir to the Max Factor make-up empire charged with 88 date rape offences has appeared in court for the first time.
Mr Andrew Luster (37) sat in the dock at Ventura County Court, near Los Angeles, to hear the allegations levelled against him which amount to 88 charges of rape and sexual assault.
Mr Luster is accused of using the date-rape drug GHB on young women at his home before raping and sexually assaulting them and videotaping his exploits.
But he denies all charges, claiming the women were scorned lovers who consented to the acts at the time and took GHB because in small quantities it had the same effects as alcohol.
The prosecution has to prove to the judge it has enough evidence to take the case to a full trial. The hearing is scheduled to run until Monday, but the judge does not have to announce his decision immediately.
Mr Luster is under house arrest on bail of $1 million and conditions that include random drug tests until the case is over.
PA