Back in November 2016, self-proclaimed “Rehab Mogul” Christopher Bathum was arrested for sexually assaulting patients at several of his rehab facilities in California. Now, more than a year later, the Orange County Register reports that the 56-year-old has been convicted of sexually assaulting seven individuals.
According to the publication, an LA jury found Bathum — who owned 19 rehab institutions — guilty of 31 criminal counts and he is now facing up to 65 years in prison. Forcible rape, sexual penetration by a foreign object, forcible oral copulation, and sexual exploitation are among the charges. The Orange Country Register reports that Bathum would entice patients with drugs and alcohol, and even bribed them with job opportunities and iPhones in exchange for sexual favors.
When Bathum was originally arrested, Thayer Jester — the mother of one of Bathum’s victims, Amanda Jester — opened up to a local CBS affiliate KCAL 9 about the abuse her daughter endured.
“It’s just been a lot of hurt. There’s been a lot of pain. I was mortified. I was disgusted. I was heartbroken. I’m angry that predators like him exist in the world,” Thayer said of Bathum, claiming that he molested Amanda with meth on his fingers. “My daughter had to be really brave to come forward and I just really encouraged her to stand up for what was right and to hold him accountable.”
Bathum’s sentencing is scheduled for April 17.
