Two New York Hospitals Settled With 147 Former Patients Who Accused A Gynaecologist Of Sexual Assault And Misconduct

147 former patients who accused a former gynecologist of sexual assault and misconduct have reached an agreement with two New York hospitals in the amount of more than $165 million.

The deal was made public on Friday by NewYork-Presbyterian and Columbia University Irving Medical Center. The two hospitals and 79 of Hadden’s former patients came to an agreement last year to create a $71 million compensation fund.

Robert Hadden, a doctor, gave up his medical license after being found guilty in 2016 of sex-related offenses in a state court but was spared a prison term. He is currently awaiting trial on various federal accusations stemming from the sexual abuse of numerous young and defenseless female victims for more than two decades.

The resident of Englewood, New Jersey, has entered a not-guilty plea to six counts of persuading individuals to travel for unlawful sex acts. A message was left with a lawyer Friday who represents Hadden.

Hadden has been referred to by prosecutors as a “predator in a white coat,” and they have accused him of picking on vulnerable children, including a small girl he had delivered at birth.

Evelyn Yang, the spouse of Andrew Yang, a former presidential contender, and New York City mayoral candidate, was one of Hadden’s accusers. She made public claims of Hadden’s mistreatment of her in 2020 while she was a patient of his in 2012.

The Columbia University Irving Medical Center issued the following statement on Friday: “We sincerely regret the suffering endured by Robert Hadden’s patients, and we hope that these remedies may offer some comfort to the ladies he wronged. We should applaud everyone who spoke up.”

Hadden accuser Marissa Hoechstetter, who was not included in the settlement on Friday, said in an email that the Adult Survivors Act of New York, which was enacted by Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul in May, will provide a path for “countless other Hadden survivors.” The act extended the statute of limitations for allegations of sexual abuse, which would have otherwise expired, by one year.

She declared that there was still justice to be served for Hadden’s misdeeds and the institution’s cover-up.