NEW YORK ( CNN ) -- An Oscar-winning songwriter was indicted on charges of sexually assaulting women whom he would fly in to New York under the impression they were auditioning for movie roles , the Manhattan District Attorney 's Office said Tuesday . Songwriter Joe Brooks is best known for writing `` You Light Up My Life '' and directing the movie . Joseph Brooks , 71 , faces multiple charges including rape , criminal sexual act , sexual abuse , forcible touching , assault , grand larceny and criminal mischief . The charges involve 11 women , authorities said . Brooks won the Oscar for best original song for the 1977 song , `` You Light Up My Life . '' He also directed the movie , which is about a director who has a one-night stand with an actress . `` I 'm flabbergasted , '' said actress Melanie Mayron , who starred in `` You Light Up My Life . '' Mayron said she did not stay in contact with Brooks over the years but described him as a `` lovely man . '' In the indictment , Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau alleges that Brooks would fly women in from California , Florida and Oregon for private auditions . He would serve the women one or two glasses of wine , said Lisa Friel , assistant district attorney . The women described feelings that suggest a date-rape drug was used , she said , but added that toxicology results were unclear . Shawni Lucier , Brooks ' personal assistant , was also charged with criminal facilitation in connection with arranging some of the encounters . Brooks pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Tuesday . Bail was set at $ 500,000 bond or $ 250,000 cash . The suspect agreed to the terms and left the courthouse . He is set to return Thursday morning and meet the bail agreement , said Jeffery C. Hoffman , his lawyer . Hoffman said some of the women who made the accusations were trying out for a role in a screenplay Brooks wrote . None of the girls was chosen for the part and may feel `` upset about that fact , '' the lawyer said . Hoffman said he is looking forward to proving his client 's innocence . `` All I can say is , my client is anxious to clear his name of these false charges , '' he added .
` ` You Light Up My Life '' songwriter Oscar indicted . California D.A . 's office charged Brooks with rape , sexual abuse , other counts . CNN won Oscar for 71 No . one song .