Los Angeles dentist charged with sexually assaulting patients

A dentist from Los Angeles on Monday was charged with sexually assaulting nine patients.

Emad Fathy Moawad is being charged with nine counts of sexual battery by restraint, three counts of sexual penetration by use of force and one count of attempted sexual penetration by use of force, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón said in a statement.

“This case is especially concerning because its victims are low-income people and immigrants who are less likely to report crimes due to fear,” Gascón said. “We are asking other possible victims to come forward and help us keep our community safe.”

The 50-year-old allegedly committed the crimes between 2013-18 against women whose ages ranged from 27 to 73 years old. 

He is being charged after one victim spoke up in 2019 and filed a lawsuit against Moawad, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The lawsuit says that Moawad “sexually battered, molested and assaulted her” on multiple occasions. 

Staff heard the victim yell at Moawad, and when she told staff, the secretary said “we know, but can’t do anything about it,” according to the lawsuit.

The attacks stopped when one staff member got a video of an alleged sexual assault against another woman, the outlet reported.

Moawad went to court on Monday and his arraignment was continued to June 16.