Former USC gynecologist George Tyndall, who has been accused by more than 400 female patients of sexual assault over a period of several decades, was arrested on sexual abuse charges.
The 72 year-old was charged with 18 counts of sexual penetration( CA Penal Code 289) ) and 11 counts of sexual battery by fraud (CA Penal Code 243.4) all felonies, according to the Los Angeles District attorney's office.
The charges relate to 16 victims ranging in age from 17 to 29. The alleged assaults occurred between 2009 and 2016 while Tyndall worked at the campus.
LAPD said it had 12 detectives working full-time on the case, who spoke to more than 400 women and traveled across 16 states during the investigation.
Tyndall served as the only full-time gynecologist at the USC Engemann Student Health Center for nearly 30 years. In 2016, the school began investigating him over allegations of improper pelvic exams and making racist and sexually inappropriate remarks. Former colleagues had questioned his method of pelvic exams, specifically, his practice of digital insertion before using a speculum.
USC didn't terminate Tyndall's employment until June of 2017. Since the revelation, hundreds of women with misconduct complaints against Tyndall have come forward and filed lawsuits against the school, claiming that USC tried to conceal his sexual abuse.
In October of 2018. USC announced it had reached a $215 million settlement in principle on a class action lawsuit brought against Tyndall.
Since his arrest in June, Tyndall was released on $160,000 bond. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. If convicted, Tyndall is facing more than 50 years in prison.
