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PR man Max Clifford charged with molesting girls decades ago

LONDON, April 27 (UPI) -- A British public relations man who has represented stars including Frank Sinatra and Marvin Gaye was charged Friday with molesting girls between 1966 and 1985.

Max Clifford, 70, was released on bail after being formally charged, the Daily Mirror reported. He was arrested for questioning in December in Operation Yew Tree, the investigation into sex offenses allegedly committed by the BBC disc jockey Jimmy Savile.

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Clifford, who lives in suburban Surrey south of London, denied the charges.

In a statement, he said his life has become a "24/7 nightmare." He pointed out that the charges involve alleged sexual misconduct going back 47 years when he was 22.

"A black cloud has been placed over me, obliterating the bright blue skies that I have been fortunate to live my life under for the vast majority of the past 70 years," he said. "Fortunately I have and continue to receive wonderful support and understanding from those who knew me, those who know me, as well as people I meet everywhere I go."

Clifford, scheduled to appear in court in London's Westminster district, faces charges of molesting three teenagers aged 14, 15 and 16 and two women of 18 and 19.

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After working for EMI, a music recording and publishing company, Clifford started his own firm at the age of 27, picking up a roster of clients that included Sinatra, Gaye and Joe Cocker.

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