Dr. George Tyndall, 71, is accused of sexual misconduct targeting students, especially those of Asian descent, authorities said in a statement released Wednesday (June 26).
Tyndall is accused of sexually assaulting 16 female students at a campus health center. The victims, who range in age from 17 to 29, went to the facility for annual exams or for other treatment, prosecutors said.
Daniella Mohazab, who says the gynecologist assaulted her in 2016, called the arrest "a huge step in moving forward."
"I broke down at work today in tears of happiness that Tyndall is behind bars," said the Filipina American during a news conference with her attorney, Gloria Allred. "I cannot explain how scared I felt walking around with the thought that I could run into Tyndall at any moment, in a grocery store, coffee shop or park."
"I broke down at work today in tears of happiness that Tyndall is behind bars," said the Filipina American during a news conference with her attorney, Gloria Allred. "I cannot explain how scared I felt walking around with the thought that I could run into Tyndall at any moment, in a grocery store, coffee shop or park."
The alleged incidents occurred between 2009 and 2016, according to the criminal complaint.
When detectives took Tyndall into custody, they found a loaded pistol on him, but arrested him without resistance. Tyndall complained of chest pains to detectives and was taken to a local hospital to be treated.
Once he is released from the hospital, police will book and process him, Moore said. Bail has been set a $2.1 million for Tyndall.
Once he is released from the hospital, police will book and process him, Moore said. Bail has been set a $2.1 million for Tyndall.
Prosecutors are recommending bail be set at $2.075 million. If convicted as charged, Tyndall faces a possible maximum sentence of 53 years in state prison.
The Los Angeles Police Department has presented 134 crime reports involving the defendant and the investigation remains ongoing, according to a LAPD press release.
In their complaint, prosecutors charged the doctor with 18 counts of sexually penetrating a person while she was unconscious and 11 counts of sexual battery by fraud for touching an “intimate part” of a patient “for the purpose of sexual arousal” and under the guise of a “professional purpose.” |
| GEORGE DYNDALL |
Tyndall's defense lawyer, Andrew Flier, said his client will fight all charges.
"We look forward to proving his innocence," Flier told NBC News.
Tyndall spent about three decades as a USC staff gynecologist, but retired in 2017 after an internal investigation concluded there was evidence he sexually harassed or abused students during physical examinations.
Tyndall spent about three decades as a USC staff gynecologist, but retired in 2017 after an internal investigation concluded there was evidence he sexually harassed or abused students during physical examinations.
As early as the 1990s, coworkers and patients accused the gynecologist of inappropriate behavior. Coworkers alleged the doctor had been inappropriately photographing students' genitals. Patients and nursing staff repeatedly accused him of "creepy" behavior, the newspaper reported.
Tyndall's questionable behavior is alleged to have gone on for decades until 2016, when a nurse finally turned to the campus rape crisis center, leading to Tyndall's suspension.
An internal investigation carried out that same year concluded that Tyndall had "violated the university's policy on harassment by making repeated racially discriminatory and sexually inappropriate remarks during patient encounters," USC said in a summary of its findings, published online on May 15.
Many of his alleged victims were of Asian descent.
Tyndall has denied the allegations and USC has denied accusations of a cover-up.
Nearly 100 women, who said they were sexually harassed or abused by Tyndall, filed a lawsuit in October 2018 against USC. The school agreed to settle the lawsuit in February for $215 million and promised to institute campus reforms on preventing and reporting sexual abuse.
In August, 2018, USC President C. L. Max Nikias stepped down in the wake of the criticism arising from the sex-abuse allegations.
Nearly 100 women, who said they were sexually harassed or abused by Tyndall, filed a lawsuit in October 2018 against USC. The school agreed to settle the lawsuit in February for $215 million and promised to institute campus reforms on preventing and reporting sexual abuse.
In August, 2018, USC President C. L. Max Nikias stepped down in the wake of the criticism arising from the sex-abuse allegations.
Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore told reporters that 12 detectives were assigned to the 18-month investigation. While charges were filed for 16 women, Moore said that more than 350 women stepped forward.
Arraignment will be scheduled for a later date in Department 30 of the Foltz Criminal Justice Center.
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