Trump's Golf Partner Accused Of Groping Patient, Had Addressed Ex-President As 'Dear King'

A Pennsylvania dentist and golf partner of former President Donald Trump was charged with indecent assault last week after he allegedly groped a patient, according to court documents.

Albert Hazzouri Jr., 65, was accused of grabbing one of his dental patient’s butt, breasts, and groin during an appointment in May, as per the court documents, The Washington Post reported.

Scranton Police Detective Dina Albanesi said the woman was walking to her car following her dental appointment when Hazzouri allegedly asked her to get on his back, the court documents said. When the woman reportedly refused to do so, the dentist wrapped his hands around her and grabbed her buttocks and private parts, the documents state, according to the report.

The woman, whose identity was not disclosed, reported the incident to police the same day. Authorities asked her to call Hazzouri on a recorded line in which he apologized for the incident and offered her free dental services.

“He stated it was a mistake and [he] didn’t realize he did it until after it was over,” Detective Albanesi added in the court documents.

Hazzouri is a known associate of Trump and was often seen as the former president’s golfing partner. He is said to have used his connection with Trump to lobby the administration on behalf of the American Dental Association.

“Dear King,” he wrote in a 2017 note addressed to Trump, a copy of which was obtained by ProPublica. “Let’s set up a meeting with the American Dental Association and create an oversight committee to stop the waste, and can save your administration 250 million per year.”

“Love you president,” Hazzouri signed.

In 2018 also, Hazzouri used his ties with Trump to obtain a license to practice in Florida. In a letter sent to the Florida Board of Dentistry and obtained by Politico, the dentist highlighted his friendship with the president, writing: “As the dentist and personal friend of the President of the United States, I am writing to you with a request to grant me a license to practice in the state of Florida.”

Hazzouri later canceled his application after receiving pushback from the board.

In April, he also received a loan of between $150,000 and $350,000 as part of the government’s Paycheck Protection Program.

Hazzouri may face up to two years in prison for the indecent assault charges or be asked to pay up to a $5,000 fine. He was released on bail of $75,000. His next court hearing is scheduled on July 20, according to the Times-Tribune.