Unlicensed owner of Glendale laser hair removal clinic arrested after allegedly inappropriately touching, licking woman
An unlicensed owner of a Glendale laser hair-removal clinic was arrested Wednesday, days after a 28-year-old woman accused him of touching and licking her inappropriately during her treatment, police said.
Prior to the incident, which was reported on Aug. 12, about a month after it happened, Ali “Antonio” Nozar — the 48-year-old owner of Glendale’s Smooth Skin Laser Clinic on East Broadway — was already on the Glendale Police Department’s radar.
In fact, in June, a warrant had been issued for his arrest.
That’s because a year ago, another woman, a 31-year-old from Burbank, reported to police that Nozar rubbed her genitals inappropriately during a hair-removal treatment, according to Glendale Police Sgt. Robert William.
During the investigation, Glendale police discovered Nozar was not a licensed physician nor a registered nurse, and was using another doctor’s name to operate his business.
Join the conversation on Facebook >>
In June, he was charged with one misdemeanor count of sexual battery, which stemmed from last year’s incident, and another count of practicing medicine without a certificate, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.
It was not clear why Nozar wasn’t arrested until this week.
Over time, Nozar became more brazen in his alleged assaults, police said.
A woman had come forward in 2009 with a similar story, but the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office declined to file charges due to insufficient evidence, William said.
In the most recent incident, Nozar allegedly touched the victim inappropriately before assuring her it was an accident. When he resumed the hair-removal treatment, he allegedly licked her. She then heard him unbuckling his belt.
Stunned, the woman quickly sat up. Nozar then reportedly leaned in to kiss her. She said, “no,” quickly dressed and left, William said.
Police expect additional charges to be filed against Nozar, who was released this week after posting $100,000 bail.
Meanwhile, the doctor, identified as 76-year-old Hooshang Tabibian, allegedly received a cut for allowing Nozar to use his name to make the clinic look legitimate, but he actually had “nothing to do with the business,” William said.
According to police, Tabibian never consulted any of the victims — one of which sustained a burn on her skin — before their hair-removal treatments. He told police, however, that he sees every patient but does not perform the treatments himself.
Tabibian was also charged in the case with one misdemeanor count of aiding or abetting Nozar in practicing medicine without a certificate, officials said. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Investigators believe there may be other victims. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Glendale police at (818) 548-4911.
--
Alene Tchekmedyian, alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com
Twitter: @atchek
ALSO
Burglary suspects lead police on chase through downtown construction site
Commission sides with Friedman, casts aside contested delegated votes for Kassakhian
57-year-old man suspected of dating, soliciting 16-year-old girl
