Eccentric clothier faces harassment trial

LOS ANGFELES, Calif., Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Dov Charney, eccentric founder of casual fashion giant American Apparel, faces another sexual harassment trial in Los Angeles.

It's the fourth time similar allegations have been brought against Charney -- two have been settled -- this time by former employee Mary Nelson, who accuses him of by using sexually explicit language and behaving in sexually inappropriate ways, the Los Angeles Times reported. The trial may begin as early as next week.

During several meetings with her -- including one at his home -- he was dressed only in his underwear, the suit alleges. On another occasion, according to the suit, he appeared in less.

Charney acknowledges that he has appeared in his underwear many times in front of male and female employees and sometimes in skimpier garments.

But those events, he said, have to be understood in the context of the fashion industry.