California-based Lawyer Ara Manoogian Accused of Child Molestation

Ara Manoogian, a California-based attorney, human rights advocate, investigative journalist, and member of the Policy Forum Armenia (PFA) analytical center, has been accused of child molestation.

This information was shared by a user named Raffi Shishoyan on his Facebook page. Manoogian was charged on August 6, 2019, with a sexual offense, specifically child molestation. According to California's criminal code, the charges pertain to committing lewd acts with minors under the age of 14.

“This is a public post and a call to all individuals and organizations to reconsider their associations with the sex offender Ara Manoogian and to keep their children safe,” the Facebook user wrote.

A bail of $1,330,000 has been set for Manoogian, and he faces a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

Tert.am reached out to Raffi Shishoyan, who indicated that he had accessed documents from public sources, including the California court and police. “I have been following Ara Manoogian’s activities for quite some time. He has divided the entire Armenian community in the U.S. He was involved in this matter both before and after the revolution in Armenia. Now he supports the Pashinyan government, and previously he defended the Sasna Tsrer,” Raffi Shishoyan noted.

Below are the charges filed against Ara Manoogian.