* Judge Robert Foiles Lowers Bail For Belmont Chambers Of Commerce President Michael Kazarian Charged with Sex Crimes With Minor

Published by Staff Writer on August 27, 2009

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A San Mateo County Superior Court judge has lowered bail for the president of the Belmont Chamber of Commerce accused of molesting his girlfriend’s young daughter over a period of three years.Michael Kazarian, 50, is charged with nearly 20 counts of lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14, as well as charges of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, according to the San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office.On Tuesday, Judge Robert Foiles agreed to lower his bail from $1.5 million to $1 million.He is suspected of molesting his girlfriend’s daughter, who was 8 years old at the time the alleged abuse began, from November 1999 to February 2002, Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said.Wagstaffe said the girl kept the alleged abuse a secret for years because Kazarian allegedly threatened her, but that this year she decided to tell her mother. Her mother notified police and Kazarian was taken into custody May 18 on a $500,000 arrest warrant, Wagstaffe said.He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and remains in custody. His jury trial is scheduled for Oct. 13.