NEW YORK – Two New York hospitals have agreed to pay more than $ 165 million to 147 former patients who accused a former gynecologist of sexual abuse and misconduct.
Columbia University Irving Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian announced the deal on Friday. Last year, the two hospitals reached an agreement to set up a $ 71 million compensation fund with 79 former Hadden patients.
The doctor, Robert Hadden, gave up his medical license after being convicted in 2016 on sex-related charges in a state court, but was not sentenced to jail. He is currently awaiting trial on separate federal charges of sexually abusing dozens of unsuspecting young patients for more than two decades.
The resident of Englewood, New Jersey pleaded not guilty to six counts of inducing others to travel to commit illegal sexual acts. A message was left on Friday with a lawyer representing Hadden.
Prosecutors described Hadden as a “white-coated predator,” accusing him of identifying unsuspecting young victims, including a girl who gave birth.
Among Hadden’s accusers was Evelyn Yang, the wife of former presidential candidate and New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Yang. It went public in 2020 with allegations that Hadden abused her when she was her patient in 2012.
In a statement Friday, Columbia University’s Irving Medical Center said, “We deeply regret the pain suffered by Robert Hadden’s patients and hope these resolutions will provide some support for the women he has hurt. Everyone who showed up should be praised. “
Hadden’s prosecutor Marissa Hoechstetter, who was not part of the deal on Friday, said in an email that the New York Adult Survivors Law signed by Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul in May will provide an avenue for what she defined. “countless other Hadden survivors”. The law opened a one-year window for sexual abuse allegations that would otherwise have been prescribed by law.
“We’re not done with Hadden’s stock calculation and the institution’s cover-up yet,” he said.
