Multiple women have accused billionaire businessman and West Ham co-owner David Sullivan of abusing his power and preying on them for sex, with some allegations dating back to when the accusers were teenagers. The claims from seven women, uncovered in a joint investigation by BBC Panorama and The Times, span decades and involve alleged sexually exploitative and predatory behavior.

The women, who were reportedly in their late teens or early twenties and seeking work as models at Sullivan's Daily and Sunday Sport newspapers, accuse him of pressuring them for sex during business meetings. They allege Sullivan offered to advance their careers in exchange for sexual favors, including oral sex. One accuser, identified only as Florence, stated she felt coerced into sex despite her unwillingness.

Sullivan, 77, has categorically denied all the claims, which emerged during the period he amassed wealth from pornography, newspapers, and football. Following the confirmation of the investigation's publication, Sullivan resigned as joint chair of West Ham, citing a desire to focus on refuting what he described as "factually incorrect and entirely false, decades-old allegations concerning my personal life" and calling the investigation "fundamentally unfair."

Further revelations indicate Sullivan has separately admitted to paying for sex in the 1990s with an individual he believed was 16 or 17 years old at the time. Sullivan was in his 40s then. It is important to note that paying for sex with a 16 or 17-year-old only became illegal in 2003.

During the 1980s and 1990s, Sullivan was a significant figure for women aspiring to careers in glamour modeling, acting as a gatekeeper within the industry. Florence recounted a business meeting at Sullivan's home where he allegedly told her she would become one of his newspapers' "regular girls" if they had sex. She was 20 at the time and described attempts to decline the encounter before he allegedly maneuvered her into a bedroom and initiated sexual activity.

Lawyers representing Sullivan have described Florence's account as implausible. Two other women reportedly stated they felt compelled to engage in sexual activity with Sullivan to protect their nascent modeling careers, accusing him of leveraging his position to exploit them.

The investigation highlights a pattern of alleged behavior where young women seeking career opportunities in the media and modeling industries may have been subjected to undue pressure and exploitation by a powerful figure. The accusations raise serious questions about power dynamics and consent within industries known for their competitive nature.

As the allegations surface, the focus shifts to the impact on Sullivan's reputation, his business interests, including West Ham United, and the broader implications for accountability within media and entertainment sectors. The legal and ethical ramifications of these historical accusations are expected to continue unfolding.