New York Attorney General is Investigating Columbia for Allowing Predatory Doctor to See Patients Despite Warnings

"The Office of the Attorney General is conducting a thorough investigation into the institutional response to Robert Hadden's misconduct. A ProPublica investigation from the fall of 2023 revealed how Columbia ignored women and ultimately protected Robert Hadden, a longtime OB-GYN at the university. In 2012, Columbia allowed Hadden to continue seeing patients just days after one of them called 911 to report Hadden had sexually assaulted her."

"In early 2023, Hadden was convicted in federal court of sexually abusing patients. He is currently serving a 20-year sentence. Columbia has paid out more than $1 billion for over 1,000 claims of sexual abuse. After our investigation, Columbia committed to a variety of reforms, including improved patient safety, a $100 million fund for victims and an independent investigation."

"Unlike at other universities that have dealt with serially abusive doctors, no higher-ups at Columbia appear to have lost their jobs or been disciplined. Dr. Mary D'Alton, who was cc'd on a letter that authorized Hadden's return to work, remains the chair of the obstetrics and gynecology department."

New York State's attorney general has launched an investigation into Columbia University's handling of Robert Hadden, a longtime obstetrician-gynecologist who sexually abused patients for years. ProPublica's 2023 investigation revealed that Columbia allowed Hadden to continue seeing patients days after a woman called 911 reporting sexual assault. Hadden was convicted in federal court in 2023 and is serving a 20-year sentence. Columbia has paid over $1 billion to settle more than 1,000 sexual abuse claims. Following the investigation, Columbia implemented reforms including a $100 million victim fund and independent investigation. However, advocates, students, and survivors argue Columbia has not adequately addressed institutional accountability, noting that no administrators have faced disciplinary action despite their roles in enabling Hadden's misconduct.

Read at ProPublica