Current:Home > InvestFormer Columbia University OB-GYN to be sentenced for sexual abuse conviction-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Former Columbia University OB-GYN to be sentenced for sexual abuse conviction
View Date:2024-12-23 23:54:38
Robert Hadden, the former Columbia University gynecologist who prosecutors said "abused his position of power to assault patient after patient, year after year," is slated to be sentenced to 20 years in prison, but a federal court judge is mulling a request from his attorneys to speak.
Hadden was convicted in January for sexually abusing four of his patients, including a minor, and two who were pregnant.
Judge Richard M. Berman ordered that Hadden serve the four 20-year sentences, the maximum amount for "enticing and inducing individuals to travel interstate to engage in illegal sexual activity," concurrently.
"This case is like no other in my experience in terms of horrendous, beyond extraordinary, depraved sexual assault," Judge Berman said at the sentencing.
However, the judge didn't formally impose the sentence after he agreed to consider a last-minute request from Hadden's attorneys to have their client speak when court resumes Tuesday morning.
If the judge approves the request, it would mark the first time that Hadden has spoken in court about his charges.
Prosecutors previously asked for at least 25 years in prison contending that "the magnitude of the defendant's crimes is staggering and warrants a commensurate sentence."
MORE: Former Columbia University OB-GYN Robert Hadden convicted of sexual abuse
"In this case in particular, the court must impose a sentence that will reflect the seriousness of the offense, provide just punishment and general and specific deterrence, promote respect for the law, and protect the public from further crimes by the defendant," the prosecutors wrote in a sentencing memo.
Hadden, who worked at Columbia University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, pled not guilty in September 2020 after he was indicted in federal court on charges he enticed and induced victims to his medical offices and subjected them to unlawful sexual abuse.
Federal prosecutors alleged Hadden also assaulted "dozens of female patients, including multiple minors" between 1993 and 2012 while pretending to medically examine them.
MORE: Trial begins for Columbia University OB-GYN accused of sex assault
"Over the course of his 25-year career as an OB/GYN, Hadden sexually abused dozens of victims, some repeatedly, hiding behind his position of power, authority and trust as a physician, as well as the guise of purported gynecological exams, in order to carry out countless acts of sexual abuse and assault," prosecutors said.
Hadden developed a relationship with his victims before engaging in a course of increasingly abusive conduct, which he tried to mask under the guise of legitimate medical care. He invited victims to meet with him alone in his office, sent nurses and medical assistants out of the examination room for periods of time and, according to the indictment, enticed and coerced four women to travel to New York City from another state to engage in illegal sexual activity.
He was convicted on January 24, during a three-week trial.
The defense conceded Hadden caused victims "immeasurable" pain but asked for a far lower sentence.
MORE: Doctor accused of sexual assault by Evelyn Yang, faces new investigation after guilty plea
"In its zeal to persuade this court to give Mr. Hadden the equivalent of a life sentence, no matter what the facts or law, the government takes extreme positions better suited to our current political discourse than a brief from a litigant with special responsibilities in our system of justice," defense attorneys wrote in their sentencing memorandum.
Some of Hadden's victims were outside the courthouse Monday and consoled each other after learning of the sentence.
In October, Columbia University Irving Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian announced it had reached $230 million settlement with more than 200 of Hadden's patients who reported instances of sexual abuse or misconduct.
ABC News' Ivan Pereira contributed to this report.
veryGood! (31724)
Related
- In bizarro world, Tennessee plays better defense, and Georgia's Kirby Smart comes unglued
- US women's basketball should draw huge Paris crowds but isn't. Team needed Caitlin Clark.
- Florida man gets over 3 years in prison for attacking a Muslim mail carrier and grabbing her hijab
- Meet Hunter Woodhall, husband of 2024 Paris Olympics long jump winner Tara Davis-Woodhall
- Amazon Best Books of 2024 revealed: Top 10 span genres but all 'make you feel deeply'
- Russian man held without bail on charges he procured US electronics for Russian military use
- France vs. Spain live updates: Olympic men's soccer gold medal game score, highlights
- Quantum Ledger Trading Center: Leading the New Trend in Crypto Payments and Shaping the Digital Economy
- New Orleans marks with parade the 64th anniversary of 4 little girls integrating city schools
- To Kevin Durant, USA basketball, and especially Olympics, has served as hoops sanctuary
Ranking
- Some women are stockpiling Plan B and abortion pills. Here's what experts have to say.
- Save 49% on the Cult-Fave Beats Studio Pro & Up to 55% Off Beats Headphones & Earbuds — Starting at $40
- We all experience cuts and scrapes. Here's how to tell if one gets infected.
- Quantum Ledger Trading Center: Leading the New Trend in Crypto Payments and Shaping the Digital Economy
- John Krasinski named People magazine’s 2024 Sexiest Man Alive
- We all experience cuts and scrapes. Here's how to tell if one gets infected.
- If Noah Lyles doesn't run in 4x100m relay, who will compete for Team USA?
- Proof Jessica Biel Remains Justin Timberlake’s Biggest Fan
Recommendation
-
Padma Lakshmi, John Boyega, Hunter Schafer star in Pirelli's 2025 calendar: See the photos
-
Murder case dismissed against man charged in death of Detroit synagogue leader
-
University of Vermont president picked to lead the University of Arizona
-
Olympics changing breaking in sport’s debut as dancers must put scores above art
-
Voters in California city reject measure allowing noncitizens to vote in local races
-
Florida man gets over 3 years in prison for attacking a Muslim mail carrier and grabbing her hijab
-
Giant pandas go on display at San Diego Zoo: Gov. Newsom says 'It’s panda-mania'
-
The Latest: Harris and Walz to hold rally in Arizona, while Trump will visit Montana