NEW YORK (TCD) — A former gynecologist accused of molesting dozens of patients, including multiple underage victims, over nearly 20 years was recently convicted of sex trafficking.
According to the indictmentfrom 1993 to approximately 2012, 64-year-old Robert Hadden “coaxed and instigated several victims to visit his medical offices in New York City, at least in part for the purpose of subjecting them to unlawful sexual abuse.”
In a report, U.S. attorney Damian Williams said Hadden, who previously worked for Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, “severely lured women who sought professional medical care into his offices in order to satisfy themselves.”
Williams said patients trusted Hadden “as a physician, only to become victims of his hateful predilection instead.”
Hadden allegedly made his patients believe that sexual abuse was “appropriate and medically necessary,” and he convinced his victims to make frequent follow-up appointments with him. Because of this, Hadden had sexually assaulted some of his victims for years, according to the indictment.
Hadden allegedly sent nurses and assistants out of the exam room and found ways to be alone with his victims so he could abuse them.
The indictment alleges that Hadden “attempted to develop a rapport” with his victims by “asking them questions about their personal lives and telling them about his own life and family.”
Hadden would then talk about inappropriate and sexual topics, and he would ask his patients about their own sex lives. According to the indictment, Hadden also “offered unsolicited advice” to some of his patients on “how to style pubic hair and how to masturbate or have orgasms.”
At times, Hadden allegedly made statements about the physical appearance of his victims.
Once Hadden developed a “rapport with his victims”, he allegedly began the sexual abuse “under the guise of providing medical advice and/or medical treatment”. For example, he allegedly performed inappropriate breast exams on his victims and fondled and groped their breasts. He also allegedly pinched and twisted his patients’ nipples.
Hadden also allegedly performed unnecessary “mole checks,” where he examined his naked patients and inappropriately touched them. In addition, he allegedly performed pelvic exams that were not medically necessary.
According to the indictment, Hadden’s victims were often young and had little experience with gynecology appointments.
In a statement obtained by CBS NewsAssistant US Attorney Jane Kim said: ‘He put on his white coat and took the oath that all doctors take to ‘do no harm’ and then he did the exact opposite. »
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, in September 2020, Hadden was initially charged with six counts of inciting and inducing individuals to travel interstate to engage in unlawful sexual activity. On Tuesday, Jan. 24, Hadden was convicted of federal sex trafficking charges, CBS News reports.
Columbia University has reportedly paid more than $230 million in settlement agreements to more than 200 former Hadden patients.
Evelyn Yang, the wife of former presidential candidate Andrew Yang, was one of his former patients and spoke out about the abuse, CBS News reports. She was allegedly sexually assaulted by Hadden in 2020 when she was seven months pregnant.
In a statement obtained by CBS News, Columbia University said, “We deeply regret the pain suffered by Robert Hadden’s patients and hope these resolutions will provide some support for the women he hurt. All who have come forward are to be congratulated. »
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