Guess Co-Founder Paul Marciano Denies Touching Kate Upton

As we previously reported, Kate Upton accused Guess co-founder of sexual harassment. She wrote on Instagram that he “shouldn’t be allowed to use his power in the industry to sexually and emotionally harass women.” TMZ reports that Marciano has released a statement denying Upton’s claims.

He said: “Ms. Upton provided no details … She leveled this malicious and false accusation only hours before a gala event at our headquarters in Los Angeles unveiling a new Guess campaign. Ms. Upton told TMZ that ‘I’m excited to tell my whole story.’ I am told that she has been working with others for some time to defame me and will claim that I groped her among other things. This accusation is false. I have never touched Kate Upton. I have never been alone with Kate Upton. I have never acted inappropriately towards her.”

Sources claim that Marciano believes Upton is “lashing out” after Guess ended its relationship with her following a bad photo shoot.