APOPKA -- A reality show director is facing charges for holding women against their will in connection with a show being taped in Orange County.
The show is called "Pauper to Princess" and it was being filmed in a home in Apopka.
Police said filming had been going on since mid-February and the contestants were allowed to leave on the weekends.
However, this past weekend, some women in the show said the director -- Marc Brilleman -- would not let them out of the house.
The women told police the windows and doors to the house were barred.
"Four of them stated they were put on punishment and they were being disciplined, for whatever reason, so they weren't able to leave the house. That's when one of the women snuck out of the house and said she needed the police," said Apopka police Cmdr. Joe Miller.
Brilleman was charged with false imprisonment. He was released from jail Sunday on $3,000 bond.
Jim Johnson, the executive producer of the show and owner of the house, denied the allegations, and said the women who asked to leave were allowed to do so.
Others who worked on the show said the women were flat out lying.
"He's never done anything disrespectful to anyone in that house, including myself," said Tamika Jackson, Brilleman's assistant. "He's caring, he treats these girls as his own children, he's always looking out for their needs first, so I don't understand why any of this is coming up."
"Their credibility is greatly at issue," said Mark NeJame, Brilleman's attorney. "It's very wrong that Mr. Brilleman is, in fact, being accused of this, and it seems like these women are getting their 15 seconds, or 15 minutes of fame by being on this show."
Police also said the women were upset because they did not get paid this week.
The show's producers said their payment was coming.
No network has picked up the show, but the producers vowed to find a new group and continue.
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