Daily US Time: The University of Southern California (USC) has agreed to pay more than 1 billion dollars to patients treated by former campus gynaecologist George Tyndall, who was accused of sexual abuse.
It is the biggest sex abuse-linked pay-out in higher education history.
In 2019, George Tyndall, now 74, was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting 16 female patients, allegations he denies.
More than 350 women have spoken out about their experiences as patients of George Tyndall.
Dr Tyndall is awaiting trial. He said in a 2019 statement that he “remains adamant” he would be “totally exonerated”.
Lawyers for a final group of 710 women suing the USC told a judge at the Los Angeles Superior Court they had settled their claims for $852m.
The University of Southern California (USC) had already agreed in 2018 to pay $215m in a class action case.
USC President Carol Folt said in a statement: “I am deeply sorry for the pain experienced by these valued members of the USC community.”
“We appreciate the courage of all who came forward and hope this much-needed resolution provides some relief to the women,” the USC president added.
This is the biggest sex abuse-linked payment. Penn State settled claims related to Jerry Sandusky’s sexual abuse for more than $109m while Michigan State University paid $500m in connection with Larry Nasser’s sexual abuse of gymnasts and others.
The case arose after the Los Angeles Times published accounts from current and formers employees about Dr Tyndall’s alleged sexual misconduct as a gynaecologist.
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