301 patients have sued Columbia University (New York) alleging that Robert Hadden, a former gynecologist at the institution who practiced as a doctor between 1987 and 2012, sexually abused them while performing medical examinations.
The plaintiffs call him "the most prolific serial sexual predator in New York State history."
It is the third time they have filed a lawsuit against the university and Hadden. At the end of July, the former gynecologist was sentenced to 20 years in prison "for seducing and inducing four victims to travel across the state to engage in illegal sexual relations." One of his victims was Evelyn Yang, wife of Andrew Yang, former Democratic candidate for the 2020 presidential election. In 2016, he pleaded guilty to two charges related to sexual abuse, which led to his loss of his license as a doctor.
"Under the guise of medical treatment, Robert Hadden sexually abused and assaulted numerous patients for approximately 25 years, exploiting them in vulnerable moments for his own sexual gratification. Thanks to the tireless work of the career prosecutors of this Office, Hadden will rightfully spend decades in federal prison. We thank and commend the victims who bravely came forward to share their stories and ensure that their abuser faces justice," said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams.
For its part, Columbia University agreed to pay $72 million in compensation to 79 patients in 2021. A year later, it paid 165 million dollars to 147 victims under the same concept.
Personnel related to Hadden covered up for him
In this new lawsuit, the alleged victims also point out that the administrators, nursing staff and doctors at the hospital where Hadden worked, hid the sexual abuse committed by the former gynecologist for years.
"Columbia has shown very clearly that the only thing they care about is their money, and if that is the case, I want to hit them as hard as I can where it hurts them the most, and hopefully, they won’t let this happen again in the future," stated Anthony DiPietro, lawyer for the plaintiffs, in statements collected by The Wall Street Journal.
