LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Seven more former USC students filed a lawsuit against the school and a former USC gynecologist today, alleging gross sexual misconduct and sexual assault on campus by the doctor, who worked at the Student Health Center for almost 30 years.
The latest Los Angeles Superior Court case follows the filing of other previous lawsuits regarding the alleged misconduct by Dr. George Tyndall. The new complaint was brought by women who identify themselves as Jane Does. They allege Tyndall used his position of trust and authority to sexually abuse them on multiple occasions, forcing them to strip naked and groping their breasts.
The new suit alleges the university received numerous complaints of Tyndall's sexually abusive behavior, dating back to the early 1990s, and deliberately concealed the abuse.
The suit further alleges that, following an internal investigation of complaints against Tyndall in 2016, the university paid Tyndall a substantial financial settlement so that he would resign and so USC could continue to actively conceal the myriad complaints they had received.
Plaintiffs' attorney John Manly said the latest filing ``demonstrates the alarming scope and length of the scandal involving the former USC gynecologist and the university's efforts to cover it up.''
The alleged victims range in age from 24 to 42.
The USC Faculty Senate and a number of faculty and students have asked for USC President Max Nikias to resign, alleging Tyndall received a cash payoff and that his alleged actions were not reported to law enforcement and the state Medical Board.
Manly compared the Tyndall case with that against disgraced Michigan State University doctor Larry Nassar, who was accused of molesting more than 300 women and girls under the guise of performing medical treatments.
Tyndall was fired in 2017 after an investigation by the USC Office of Equity and Diversity. The report concluded that the doctor ``had violated the university policy on harassment by making repeated racially discriminatory and sexually inappropriate remarks during patient encounters.''
The report further concluded that some of Tyndall's practices were outdated, but not criminal in nature.
Since the allegations against Tyndall surfaced, more than 400 students have contacted a university hotline established to receive complaints and information about the doctor, according to Manly.