Malibu-Based Drug Rehab Guru Arrested on Sexual Assault Charges

MALIBU, CA -- The owner of a Malibu-based drug treatment center was arrested Thursday on suspicion of sexual assaults at one of his facilities, the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department announced.

Christopher Bathum, 55, was charged with several counts of sexual assault of former clients. Authorities believe there may be other victims and are asking the public's help in identifying them.

"Detectives believe it is possible other former clients of Mr. Bathum were sexually assaulted," sheriff's spokeswoman Guillermina Saldaña said.

Bathum formerly owned and operated several drug treatment and rehabilitation facilities called Community Recovery Los Angeles. There were a total of thirteen Community Recovery treatment centers in Los Angeles County and Orange County, and six in the State of Colorado.

This was not the first time Bathum has been in trouble with the law. Bathum was arrested on June 28 at his home in Lost Hills for transporting illicit substance.

Detectives began investigating in May several allegations of sexual assaults taking place at CRLA facilities involving former clients between the years 2012 and 2016. ABC's television newsmagazine program 20/20 profiled three women of sexually assaulting in an episode that aired in June. In the episode, Bathum categorically denied the allegations.

Bathum was charged with several counts of sexual assault will be arraigned at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center on Monday, Saldaña said.

Anyone with information about this incident was encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Special Victims Bureau at (877) 710-5273. Tips can be made anonymously through Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS or online at http://lacrimestoppers.org.

-- Photo courtesy of the LASD.