Embattled real estate agent Anthony Di Nardo will stand trial after denying more than a dozen assault and drug charges.
Di Nardo, 54, donning a dark suit and flanked by a support person, fronted Newcastle Local Court in person on Wednesday, September 23.
Di Nardo sat silently in the public gallery before standing alongside his lawyer, Drew Hamilton, and repeatedly replying "not guilty, your honour" to 14 charges.
The former Belle Property franchise boss is accused of using his position of authority to sexually and indecently assault eight female employees across 17 years.
Prosecutors further allege Di Nardo supplied cocaine four times in 2022 at Newcastle West and The Junction, which he has denied.
Judge Caleb Franklin committed Di Nardo to Newcastle District Court next month, where he will formally enter pleas and be handed a trial date.
Di Nardo was arrested at his home at The Junction after a Newcastle Herald investigation and extensive police inquiries revealed a series of allegations against Di Nardo dating back about 20 years.
The DPP revealed in July more charges had been laid as three more women had come forward to make allegations of sexual touching, indecent assault and drug supply against Di Nardo after his high-profile arrest.
Di Nardo was released on bail and his conditions were continued on Wednesday.
The charges he will stand trial on include two counts of aggravated sexual assault, and three counts of aggravated indecent assault, during which Di Nardo is accused of touching three women on either their buttocks or breasts.
He will also stand trial on three counts of aggravated sexual touching, four counts of supplying small quantities of drugs, and intimidation.
The charges span 2006 to 2023, and allegedly occurred in suburbs across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie, including at Warners Bay, The Junction, Merewether and Charlestown.
