What to Know
- Six former USC students accused ex-campus gynecologist Dr. George Tyndall of molesting patients
- Some 200 USC professors have signed a petition demanding the resignation of USC President C. L. Max Nikias
- Nikias apologized in writing to women who claim they were abused by Tyndall
The USC board of trustees said Wednesday it was hiring outside counsel to conduct an investigation into the misconduct and reporting failures following accusations of sexual misconduct against former gynecologist, George Tyndall, at the school's student health center.
Four former University of Southern California students sued the school and an ex-campus gynecologist who they accuse of molesting patients over decades as a "serial sexual predator," according to a court filing Monday. Tyndall routinely made crude comments, took inappropriate photographs and forced the plaintiffs to strip naked and groped them under the guise of medical treatment for his "sexual gratification," the lawsuit said.
Tyndall, who worked at a USC clinic for 30 years, denied wrongdoing in interviews with The Los Angeles Times. He didn't return phone calls, and it wasn't known Monday if he has an attorney.
"The behavior exhibited by the former physician was reprehensible, and we will hold people accountable if we find they failed to report or take action to ensure the well-being and safety of patients and students," To those affected, we are deeply sorry. The special committee of trustees will be chaired by Rick Caruso and will include Wanda Austin, Suzanne Dworak-Peck, Stanley Gold and Leonard Schaeffer.
Two hundred faculty members have called on USC President C.L. Max Nikias to step down, while Nikias called the matter "profoundly troubling."
