What to Know
- The lawsuits add to hundreds of other complaints filed against USC and gynecologist George Tyndall that date back to at least 1988.
- USC has denied any cover-up and Tyndall has denied any misconduct.
- USC says top administrators were not made aware of any complaints until 2016.
Three more women are suing USC alleging sexual misconduct by longtime campus gynecologist Dr. George Tyndall.
The lawsuit adds to a growing stack of litigation concerning 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.
The plaintiffs are identified only as Jane Doe J.L, Jane Doe M.S. and Jane Doe J.E. in the complaint filed Wednesday in Los Angeles Superior Court.
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 cover-up, and Tyndall has denied any wrongdoing.
In an open letter to faculty and staff in May 2018, USC Provost Michael Quick said top administrators did not know about the complaints until 2016.
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"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.
Jane Doe J.L. was a student at USC in 2003-06 and was told by Tyndall that she had a virus that produces warts, according to the suit. She was encouraged by him to visit often for treatment, but other doctors never confirmed the diagnosis, the suit states.
Jane Doe M.S. was a student at USC in 2011-14 and Tyndall undertook lengthy pap smear examinations with her "to prolong his sexual gratification," according to the suit.
Jane Doe J.E. was a USC student in 1988-91, the suit states. Tyndall took photographs of her nude body and was told they had uncovered abnormalities that pap smears did not, but other physicians never found any irregularities, the suit states.
All three woman thought Tyndall was using legitimate medical treatment, according to the complaint.
