Los Angeles Dentist Accused Of Sexually Abusing Several Female Patients

A dentist in Los Angeles has been charged with sexually abusing nine patients over the course of several years.

Emad Fathy Moawad, 50, was accused of preying on women from immigrant and low-income communities. He was charged Monday with several counts of sexual battery for allegedly molesting patients who came to his office on Beverly Boulevard and Normandie Avenue between 2013 and 2018. The age of the victims ranged from 27 to 73 years.

"This case is especially concerning because its victims are low-income people and immigrants who are less likely to report crimes due to fear. We are asking other possible victims to come forward and help us keep our community safe," said Dist. Atty. George Gascón in a statement Monday.

On Monday, the 50-year-old dentist appeared in court but did not enter a plea. He was charged with nine counts of sexual battery by restraint, three counts of sexual penetration by use of force and a single count of attempted sexual penetration by use of force. Moawad was jailed on nearly $2 million bail.

A female patient complained about Moawad to the Los Angeles Police in 2019. She also filed a lawsuit alleging that Moawad "sexually battered, molested and assaulted her" in 2017 while she was under anesthesia. The woman claimed that the staff at the facility heard her yell at Moawad and accuse him of sexual assault, reported Los Angeles Times.

The lawsuit alleged that Moawad had repeatedly fondled the patient and at one point, held her down until she managed to run away, reported Associated Press. She reportedly informed Moawad's dental assistant and secretary about the assault but in vain. According to the suit, the secretary had replied, "We know, but can't do anything about it."

The assistant even shot a video of one such assault in December 2018 to bring an end to Moawad's alleged attacks, the lawsuit said.

Last month, a woman accused a fertility doctor of "medical rape" for impregnating her with his own sperms 40 years ago. She reportedly requested and paid $100 to secure sperms from anonymous donors. The fertility fraud came to light after the woman's daughter found a DNA match with Dr. Martin Greenberg following an at-home DNA test.