Attorney:

A Newport Beach businessman charged with sexually assaulting one of his clients is an upstanding citizen who has been falsely accused, his defense attorney said Tuesday.

Steven Wesley Lovell, joined by his wife, appeared in Harbor Justice Center court Tuesday for a pretrial hearing, which was continued until Oct. 30.

Lovell’s attorney, Robert K. Weinberg, said Lovell was rehabilitated after he served his sentence after pleading guilty to three counts of misdemeanor sexual battery in 1999.

“My client has categorically denied any wrongdoing of any type since he first learned of the complaint,” Weinberg said.

Weinberg also disputed earlier reports from police that Lovell was working as a masseur at his Care of the Body, 215 Riverside Ave., business. Lovell is a personal trainer “with a loyal flock of clients,” Weinberg said.

A 53-year-old Newport Beach woman told police Lovell had her take off her top and bra during one session before attacking her, prosecutors said. She told investigators Lovell held her down as he kissed her neck and stomach, authorities said.

But Weinberg claimed the woman visited Lovell twice before making her complaint with police. She sought relief for back pain and was referred by a friend, Weinberg said.

Lovell previously worked as a chiropractor, but his license was revoked after his criminal conviction.

Lovell faces charges of felony sexual battery by fraud, felony sexual battery by restraint and felony possession of a firearm by someone previously convicted of battery.

Since the case against Lovell was publicized, other women have made similar claims against him to investigators, but he has not been charged yet in those other complaints, police said.

KELLY STRODL may be reached at (714) 966-4623 or at [email protected].