A former Columbia University gynecologist has been named in a sexual assault lawsuit. Both a recently unsealed federal indictment and a civil lawsuit claim that Robert Hadden, M.D. sexually assaulted patients for more than 20 years.

Decades of Alleged Sexual Assault by Gynecologist

A recent report by Refinery29 says that Dr. Hadden sexual assault claims span decades, between 1993 and 2002. Patients reported concerns about Hadden performing more medical examinations than necessary and asking inappropriate questions.

An investigation into Dr. Hadden didn’t begin to gather steam until Evelyn Yang, wife of former presidential candidate Andrew Yang, came forward with allegations that Hadden sexually assaulted her in 2012 while she was pregnant with her first child. Since then, approximately 80 additional accusers have made abuse allegations against Hadden, bringing the total to more than 100 individual plaintiffs, according to The New York Post.

In 2016, Hadden was convicted of sexually abusing six patients, however, he secured a lenient plea deal that included no jail time and downgraded his sex offender status. Hadden reportedly fondled and performed oral sex on the patients, many of whom were pregnant. Some say the consequences were not enough.

“Hadden was allowed to negotiate something that closely resembled an early retirement than a criminal sentence for a sexual felony,” a lawyer representing Hadden’s accusers told the Washington Post.

Who Is Dr. Robert Hadden?

According to the Post, Hadden, now 62, worked as an OB/GYN in the Manhattan area between 1993 and 2012. He worked at the Columbia University Medical Center and New York Presbyterian Hospital. He’s accused of sexually assaulting women, and at least one minor, who went to him for checkups and pre-and post-natal care.

“Hadden acted as a predator in a white coat,” Audrey Strauss, the acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said at a press conference announcing the new criminal charges lodged against Hadden in September of this year.

At the news conference, a woman claiming Hadden abused her said the doctor preyed on women going to their first gynecology appointment.

“Many of Hadden’s victims did not know what to expect during an OB/GYN examination and were less likely to challenge Hadden when he engaged in sexually abusive behavior,” the woman said. “As a result, some of his victims immediately identified Hadden’s conduct as abusive but many didn’t know that his examinations were inappropriate, and so [they] returned to see him for years.”

According to the federal indictment, Hadden would engage in a pattern of abuse. NPR reports that Hadden would try to be alone with his patients. He would reportedly ask personal questions and gain their trust before sexually assaulting them under the guise of medical care.

Where Is Dr. Robert Hadden Now?

Hadden is currently being held on the federal indictment, according to Refinery29. His bond is set at $1 million.

Hadden was reportedly arrested on Sept. 9 for the federal charges. Prosecutors say that the six women named in the indictment are likely not the only ones who have experienced Dr. Robert Hadden sexual assault.

“The abusive behavior alleged here took place over the course of nearly two decades, which means there could be many victims out there we have not heard from,” said FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. at the news conference announcing the indictment. “We are asking anyone seeing this information to reach out to us…It is important to remember nothing Dr. Hadden has done was, or ever will be your fault. We see time and time again that voices matter and those who have stepped forward have empowered others to do the same.”

Dr. Robert Hadden Lawsuit

More than 100 women have filed sexual abuse lawsuits against Dr. Hadden and Columbia University. The doctor faces at least 20 years in prison in the new federal case against him.

Some women who say they were assaulted by Hadden claim that New York Presbyterian Hospital and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office also bear responsibility.

“I fully expect that more women will come forward as new information is revealed about how Columbia University and New York Presbyterian Hospital enabled decades of sexual exploitation and abuse by this predator,” a lawyer representing the women suing Hadden and Columbia told CBS News.

In addition, women have rallied to demand the resignation of Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance, who handled the 2016 no-jail-time indictment.

New York Considers Adult Survivors Act

Adult survivors of sexual abuse are asking the New York legislature to pass an Adult Survivors Act based on the Child Victims Act that was passed last year. The Child Victims Act allows a lookback window for people who as adults realize they were sexually assaulted as children to file a civil court case even if the original statute of limitations has passed.

The Child Victims Act allows survivors of child sexual abuse to hold the perpetrator and any organization that helped enable the abuse accountable.

In an opinion piece for the New York Daily News, Evelyn Yang and Marissa Hoechstetter said that they did everything they were asked to do to hold Hadden accountable. They said they collected evidence, provided grand jury testimony, procured a criminal indictment and worked with the authorities throughout the process, only to see the DA provide Hadden a deal with no jail time and immunity from any subsequent criminal prosecution for the crimes known at that time.

Victims of Robert Hadden allegedly included minors as well as women who were pregnant adults.

“The Adult Survivors Act is necessary to hold abusers like Hadden, Harvey Weinstein and Jeffrey Epstein accountable even if survivors have been failed by the criminal justice system,” Yang and Hoechstetter wrote.

The Adult Survivors Act would include a similar one-year lookback window for survivors who were 18 years of age or older at the time the sexual assault occurred. State Sen. Brad Hoylman (D/WF-Manhattan) introduced the Adult Survivors Act.

Columbia University Responds

“Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our patients. We are committed to treating every patient with respect and delivering care to the highest professional standards. We condemn sexual misconduct in any form and extend our deepest apologies to the women whose trust Robert Hadden violated and to their families,” Columbia University said in its response to CBS News.

Columbia is also a defendant in a Dr. Robert Hadden sexual assault lawsuit alleging the university enabled Hadden’s pattern of behavior.

Filing a Columbia University Sexual Abuse Lawsuit

If you have suffered sexual abuse or misconduct by Dr. Robert Hadden while he was in his position at Columbia University, you may be able to file a Robert Hadden sexual assault lawsuit against the university and pursue compensation. Of course, filing a lawsuit cannot take away the pain and suffering caused by this kind of abuse, but it can at least provide some compensation, as well as help to hold those responsible accountable for any actions and/or inactions that allowed the abuse to occur and continue.

Filing a lawsuit may seem like a daunting prospect, especially over something as serious as sexual assault, so Top Class Actions has laid the groundwork by connecting you with an experienced attorney. Consulting an attorney can help you determine if you have a claim, navigate the complexities of litigation, and maximize your potential compensation.

This article is not legal advice. It is presented
for informational purposes only.