Ex-USC gynecologist charged in sex assaults of 16 patients

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A former campus gynecologist at the University of Southern California was charged today in the sexual assaults of 16 patients at the campus student health center, authorities said.

Dr. George Tyndall has been the subject of a Los Angeles police investigation for more than a year after patients claimed sexual abuse or harassment by the gynecologist.

The patients involved in the charges ranged in age from 17 to 29 and had visited the student health center for annual exams or other treatment, the district attorney's office said.

Tyndall, 72, has denied any wrongdoing. He could face up to 53 years in prison if convicted.

He was arrested and charged with 29 felonies, including 18 counts of sexual penetration and 11 counts of sexual battery by fraud. Prosecutors recommended bail of about $2 million; arraignment has not been scheduled.

The charges allege Tyndall committed unlawful sexual touching and penetration for his own arousal. Victims were unaware of what was going on because he fraudulently led them to believe it served a professional purpose, the criminal complaint states.

Prosecutors said police had presented reports on 134 alleged crimes and the investigation was continuing.

Greg Risling, a spokesman for the district attorney's office, declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing investigation.

Tyndall's medical license has been suspended since 2018 and he is not allowed to practice medicine, according to the state medical board's website.

More than 700 women are pursuing individual claims against the doctor and university in state court. Separately, USC has agreed to a $215 million class-action settlement with former patients.