Women who accused a former University of Southern California gynecologist of sexual misconduct welcomed his arrest after allegations involving hundreds of patients over several years.
George Tyndall practiced at USC for almost 30 years. He was charged Wednesday with 18 counts of sexual assault, according to a criminal complaint filed by Los Angeles prosecutors. He also faces 11 counts of sexual battery by fraud.
The criminal complaint alleges Tyndall inappropriately touched 16 women between 2009 and 2016 when he worked at the university’s student health center. The women ranged in age from 17 to 29, prosecutors said.
Tyndall told some of the women the touching was for a professional purpose when it was for sexual gratification, the complaint alleges.
The more than a dozen women are just a small part of the hundreds who’ve accused him of sexual misconduct. Aside from the criminal investigations by the police, hundreds of women have sued the doctor and the university. Attorney John Manly, who represents about 200 women in the suit against USC, said his clients are relieved he’s off the streets.
“They’ve been living on eggshells,” he said.
He complained of chest pains, police chief says
When Tyndall was arrested Wednesday as he left his apartment, he was carrying a .38-caliber revolver with a 2-inch barrel, police Chief Michel Moore said. He complained of chest pains and was hospitalized, the chief said.
The investigation continues, and more charges are possible, District Attorney Jackie Lacey said. Her office said it reached a sufficient number of cases to file charges one year into the investigation.
Tyndall, who was fired two years ago, has denied allegations of wrongdoing.
“After a year of being tried in the press, Dr. Tyndall looks forward to finally having his case adjudicated in a court of law,” attorney Leonard Levine said. “He remains confident that he will be totally exonerated.”
Tyndall’s arraignment, where he will plead to the charges, has not been scheduled.
He faces decades in prison
If convicted on the 29 charges, he could face up to 53 years in prison.
The news comes two weeks after a federal court approved a preliminary amount of $215 million for a victims’ fund. A university lawyer told CNN last year that as many as 17,000 women could qualify for the class action settlement.
