RESEDA : No Bail Increase for Accused Dentist

A judge refused to increase bail Monday for a Reseda dentist accused of sexually assaulting two women in his office, despite pleas from prosecutors that he continues to pose a threat to the public.

Municipal Judge Michael E. Knight denied a request to increase Kamal Matian’s bail to $500,000. The 46-year-old dentist remains free on $60,000 bail that was posted last week.

Knight did order Matian to surrender his passport and treat female patients only when another woman is present.

Matian has pleaded not guilty to five counts of sexual battery and false imprisonment stemming from allegations made by an employee and a patient. Both women claim that Matian forcibly held them down while touching them.

During Monday’s 45-minute hearing, Deputy Dist. Atty. Renee Urman argued that Matian should be jailed because he may flee to his native Iran and because he poses a danger to all women.

“Your Honor, he’s a danger to the community. I fear for every woman who walks into his office,” Urman said.

Defense attorney James E. Blatt ridiculed Urman’s contentions, saying Matian, who is Jewish, would face certain execution if he fled to his native country, which is controlled by Islamic fundamentalists.

Two years ago, Matian was acquitted on misdemeanor charges of sexual assault brought forward by another patient, but still faces a multimillion-dollar civil lawsuit filed by the woman.