Star of TV’s ‘Marrying Millions’ pleads not guilty to raping teen

Updated: Jul 14, 2021 / 07:30 AM CDT

William Hutchinson, a Texas real estate developer and reality TV personality, exits superior court in Newport Beach, Calif., Tuesday, July 13, 2021. Hutchinson made his first appearance in Orange County Superior Court to face sexual assault charges, including allegations that he raped an unconscious 16-year-old girl while on vacation in Laguna Beach. One of his attorneys, Jacqueline Goodman, is at right. Hutchinson gained fame while appearing on the Lifetime series “Marrying Millions,” which spotlighted his relationship with a woman 40 years younger than him. (Paul Bersebach/The Orange County Register via AP)

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. (AP) — Developer and reality TV personality William Hutchinson pleaded not guilty Tuesday to raping an unconscious 16-year-old girl at his Southern California vacation home.

The 63-year-old, who is free on $100,000 bail, declined to comment after the hearing in Orange County Superior Court, telling reporters: “Have a nice day, no thank you” as he got into a car, the Orange County Register reported.

Hutchinson is known for his two seasons on the Lifetime series “Marrying Millions,” which followed his romance with 23-year-old fiancee, Brianna Ramirez. Hutchinson owns Texas-based Dunhill Partners, a commercial real estate company that develops, leases or manages shopping centers and other properties nationwide.

Prosecutors accused Hutchinson of taking two 16-year-old girls on several trips this year to his vacation home in Laguna Beach and giving alcohol to one girl in April before raping the unconscious teen. He is accused of sexual battery of the second teen in May.

Hutchinson also is charged in Texas with sexual assault tied to allegations of groping a 17-year-old girl at his Dallas-area home in May. He is the teen’s legal guardian, court documents say.

Hutchinson, who has denied wrongdoing, surrendered to police in Highland Park, Texas, last week and is free on $30,000 bond in that case.

In California, Hutchinson pleaded not guilty to a felony count of rape of an unconscious person and five misdemeanor counts of sexual battery. If convicted, he could face up to eight years in state prison and 2 1/2 years in county jail.