SOFT porn supremo Hugh Hefner's Playboy organisation is distancing itself from rape suspect Kevin Brown ¿ son of Premier Ewart Brown ¿ despite providing the venue for a number of high-profile poker parties for the Los Angeles medic.

Brown, 37, is facing multiple sex assault charges following allegations that he molested patients at his health clinic and, in one instance, while making a house call. He was first arrested on July 8, just seven weeks after holding a celebrity poker tournament at the Playboy Mansion to raise funds for his Urban Health Institute ¿ a charity which provides free healthcare to the poor.

According to Los Angeles law enforcement agencies, 15 witnesses, including a 15-year-old girl and a Los Angles Police Department undercover detective, have now come forward claiming they were sexually assaulted by Brown.

He is currently in custody and faces 19 felony counts including a lewd act on a 15 year old, rape, sexual battery by fraud and sexual exploitation. The alleged assaults occurred between November 6, 2006, and May 31, 2008. Police say that further charges could follow once witnesses have been interviewed while California medical authorities are also seeking to have his licence to practise as a physician revoked or suspended.

Brown could be released if he is able to stump up $4 million in bail money, although he must also prove that the cash has not been obtained through "felonious activities". Prosecutors requested the figure claiming that Brown could flee to Bermuda to avoid standing trial.

In May, the Mid-Ocean News revealed that Brown had organised a celebrity poker tournament at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles ¿ and that the Ministry of Tourism donated free vacations as prizes for the winning gamblers.

The Premier attended the May 17 party while his son ¿ who has held similar events at the mansion on two previous occasions ¿ was photographed rubbing shoulders with celebrities, bunnygirls and Mr. Hefner. The Premier later insisted that the tourism prizes ¿ paid for by the taxpayer ¿ were part of a marketing campaign to promote the island to celebrity clientele.

Yesterday, a spokesman for Playboy refused to answer questions asked by this newspaper, but did issue a statement which read: "I can confirm for you that the Playboy Mansion is the site for many charitable and civic functions each year. The Urban Health Institute is one of many organisations that have used the Playboy Mansion as a fundraising venue. Playboy has no further relationship to the Urban Health Institute."

Brown is also the subject of inquiries by state authorities investigating healthcare fraud. Although no charges have been laid in that investigation, State medical fraud investigators filed an affidavit in Los Angeles County Superior Court earlier this week outlining their case.

Medical fraud is believed to have California millions of dollars in recent years and a number of doctors have been convicted following high-profile trials. Russian gangsters are believed to be the masterminds behind many of the scams, enticing medics to file bogus health insurance claims for non-existent patients. Often, doctors involved in the fraud set up charities in order to launder assets.

Brown came to the attention of California's Department of Justice Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse Unit during a wider investigation. According to agents, his name appeared on a list of physicians and clinics which made up a fraud ring, which was discovered during a raid at another doctor's home last October. A number of doctors subsequently convicted of fraud claim that Brown was involved.

Brown's next court appearance is scheduled for August 7.