LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Civil-rights attorney Gloria Allred today announced the filing of lawsuits on behalf of another 12 women alleging sexual misconduct by long-time campus gynecologist Dr. George Tyndall.
The lawsuits add to a continually growing stack of litigation centered around Tyndall. Lawsuits have been filed by various attorneys on behalf of hundreds of women who claim misconduct by the gynecologist who worked at the university's student health center for nearly 30 years.
"This is not just about Dr. Tyndall,” Allred told reporters during a news conference at her Los Angeles office. ``It's about justice for those who were victimized. So that is our constant theme because we have to remember them and we have to know if there's going to be justice for them. ... There is no justice for them yet. There are many, many lawsuits that have been filed. ... There's no justice for them yet. There's still litigation going on, by us and by others as well.”
Alleged victims have contended that the university received numerous complaints of Tyndall's alleged sexually abusive behavior, dating back to at least 1988, and actively and deliberately concealed Tyndall's actions. Attorneys for some victims have argued that following an internal investigation of complaints against Tyndall in 2016, the university paid Tyndall a substantial financial settlement so he would quietly resign.
USC officials have denied any coverup, and Tyndall has denied any wrongdoing.
In an open letter to faculty and staff in May, USC Provost Michael Quick said top administrators did not know about the complaints until 2016.
"It is true that our system failed, but it is important that you know that this claim of a cover-up is patently false,” Quick wrote. ``We would never knowingly put students in harm's way.”
USC established a hotline for complaints about Tyndall and has offered free counseling to his former patients.
"Imagine having flashbacks of a 67-year-old man molesting you,” one of Allred's clients said during the Monday news conference. ``Imagine being afraid to close your eyes because of memories coming back . I want each person that even knew of what was going on at USC to speak up and to hold themselves accountable.
"I cant imagine it being easy for you to speak up and admit your wrongdoing. I bet you also can't imagine standing up and admitting to being a victim of sexual battery,” she said. ``We stand up to make changes. We stand up for what is right. We stand up for everyone, not for ourselves.”
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