In 2012, Dr. Robert Hadden was arrested for making oral contact with a patient during a gynecological exam.
These reports of sexual abuse against Robert Hadden were soon followed by dozens of similar reports, providing a clearer picture of the predator doctor’s heinous acts.
That was the start of an incredibly long battle for justice on behalf of Dr. Hadden’s victims.
Still, the bravery and courage of a few of these women sparked a movement that would eventually lead to Hadden’s downfall.
Hundreds of Hadden’s victims have courageously come forward and joined civil lawsuits to hold Columbia University and its affiliates liable, but more women deserve to be heard and get justice.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of Dr. Robert Hadden’s sexual abuse, it is vital to know that you are not alone.
Contact the DiPietro Law Firm for a free and confidential consultation.
You are allowed to file a claim anonymously.
Here is a brief overview of the timeline and circumstances surrounding Dr. Robert Hadden’s criminal sexual abuse case.
Robert Hadden began practicing as an OBGYN in New York City in 1991 and remained an Assistant Clinical Professor of OB/GYN until 2014.
He attended Skidmore College from 1976-1980, then went on to his master’s at Barry University in 1983. He received his MD from New York Medical College in 1987.
He worked as an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) as a salaried employee for Columbia University, working at the Irving Medical Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, and other affiliated medical offices and clinics throughout the New York metropolitan area.
The US Department of Justice issued a press release in September 2020 that revealed that Dr. Robert Hadden had assaulted dozens of female patients, including multiple minors, as early as 1993 and until 2012.
The press release included a formerly sealed indictment that detailed Hadden’s heinous behavior, including:
The press release also mentioned Hadden’s victims, including adults, pregnant women, and minors, whom he delivered years prior.
One of the first publicized reports of sexual abuse by Dr. Robert Hadden came in June 2012 when a female patient came to the police to report that Hadden had inappropriately licked her private parts during a medical examination.
However, no criminal charge was filed against Hadden as there was no substantial physical evidence to prove the allegation.
In August 2012, Hadden stopped practicing medicine in New York.
After the police report became more widely known, more women came forward and reported similar stories of sexual abuse by Dr. Hadden.
However, most of them could not take legal action against him because the statute of limitations had expired.
In June 2013, two plaintiffs filed a report against Hadden in the Manhattan Supreme Court.
One of the plaintiffs was a former patient of Hadden’s, while the other was a previous staff member.
A third victim joined the lawsuit soon after.
All of these women filed legal claims which stated that sexual abuse occurred while they were under Hadden’s care.
More allegations of sexual abuse by Dr. Robert Hadden surfaced.
In June 2014, Hadden was indicted on six counts of sexual misconduct by a grand jury in the Manhattan Supreme Court.
These charges include forcible touching, criminal sex acts, and sexual abuse, which can result in up to four years of imprisonment.
In 2016, Hadden entered a guilty plea deal with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, headed by former Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr.
Hadden pleaded guilty to only two counts of nine charges against him:
In return, he would lose his medical license and register as a sex offender but would not face any jail time.
Additionally, the New York State Office of Professional Medical Conduct (OPMC) mandated that all of Hadden’s former patients must be informed that he lost his medical license and is now a registered sex offender.
After Robert Hadden was convicted, reports of sexual abuse against him continued to pour in.
In January 2020, Evelyn Yang, the wife of former presidential candidate Andrew Yang, revealed in an interview with CNN that she was a victim of Hadden’s sexual misconduct.
Yang’s story brought more attention to the case and catalyzed more victims to come forward.
While Hadden pled not guilty in July 2020, he was once again indicted in September of that year.
This time for six counts of enticing and inducing victims to travel interstate to his New York medical offices, intending to engage in unlawful sexual activities.
Federal prosecutors alleged Hadden also sexually assaulted “dozens of female patients, including multiple minors” during his practice between 1993 and 2012.
Unfortunately, Hadden was allowed to post a million-dollar bail.
In December 2021, the Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York Presbyterian Hospital agreed to a settlement worth nearly $71.5 million with 79 of Hadden’s victims.
The settlement was made to compensate victims for the physical and emotional distress they had suffered over the years due to Hadden’s misconduct.
Robert Hadden’s case has inspired the passing of various legislation to protect survivors of sexual abuse.
In 2021, New York State passed a bill extending the statute of limitations for such cases, and this bill was signed into law in May 2022 and is known as New York’s Adult Survivors Act or the “Look Back Window.”
The Act gives adult survivors of sexual abuse a window of one year to file civil claims against their alleged abusers and institutions, regardless of when the alleged abuse occurred.
From November 24, 2022, to November 24, 2023, any survivor of sexual abuse can file a civil claim against their alleged abuser.
In 2022, the Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York Presbyterian Hospital reached a settlement agreement of $165 million settlement for 147 of Hadden’s victims.
On January 24, 2023, Robert Hadden was convicted on four counts of enticing and inducing victims to travel interstate to engage in illegal sexual activity.
These federal charges each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
US attorney Damian Williams labeled Hadden as “a predator in a white coat.”
Williams also stated that:
“For years, [Robert Hadden] cruelly lured women who sought professional medical care to his offices in order to gratify himself. Hadden’s victims trusted him as a physician, only to instead become victims of his heinous predilection. We thank and commend the brave women who came forward to tell their stories, many of whom testified at trial to end his years-long cycle of abuse.“
Robert Hadden has inflicted severe harm on countless women and girls.
This nearly three-decade-long cycle of abuse has forever changed the lives of numerous women, and Columbia University, its affiliates, and Robert Hadden must pay for the damage done.
If you or someone you know has been a victim of Robert Hadden, contact an experienced New York City sexual assault lawyer at The DiPietro Law Firm today to get the justice and compensation you deserve.
We have been dedicated to helping our clients pursue justice for Columbia University and its affiliate medical clinics’ role in enabling Robert Hadden’s abuse.
Our expert sexual assault lawyer Anthony T. DiPietro has been leading the Robert Hadden lawsuit.
We understand the complexities of coming forward and sharing your story.
We guarantee complete confidentiality and anonymity for all inquiries, regardless of whether you are a victim or a whistleblower.
Contact us today for your free and confidential consultation.
We’re currently investigating this case and many other cases involving serial sexual predators.
As more information becomes available on our cases, we will share it on the The DiPietro Law Firm Twitter account (@atdipietro).
If you’re a survivor of sexual exploitation and abuse, please contact our Free Consultation Helpline for a 100% confidential and free consultation about your case at (212) 233-3600.
You’re not alone anymore.
Somebody who sexually assaults patients under the guise of medical care DOES NOT deserve salutations.
Robert Hadden is not a doctor. Robert Hadden is a convicted sexual felon and is facing life in prison for the crimes he committed.
The only reason the DiPietro Law Firm uses “Dr. Robert Hadden” in some of our content is so that victims are able to find us when searching for help.
Here, at The DiPietro Law Firm, we’re committed to helping victims of sexual abuse and assault find the justice they deserve.
All information discussed during our consultations always remains completely 100% confidential.
Would you like our help?
Founder Anthony T. DiPietro, Esq. is a compassionate and skilled trial attorney who has completely dedicated the past 23 years of his career to litigating medical malpractice and sexual abuse cases against major corporate institutions including hospitals, medical clinics, schools, and other wrongdoers.
Mr. DiPietro has also obtained some of New York State’s highest verdicts and settlements, and has been selected to New York State Super Lawyers® each year, for the past 10 years in a row.
In 2022, Mr. DiPietro was selected as one of America’s Top 100 High-Stakes Litigators for the landmark cases he’s won on behalf of survivors of sexual exploitation and abuse.
Here, at The DiPietro Law Firm, we’re committed to helping victims of sexual abuse and assault find the justice they deserve.
All information discussed during our consultations always remains completely 100% confidential.
Would you like our help?
Laws in the State of New York have been put into place with the aim of protecting patients from the misconduct and sexual abuse of doctors, physicians and other medical personnel. Unfortunately, many of these laws are not enforced (or enforceable) to the length at which patient safety and moral accountability requires them to be.
The Robert Hadden criminal trial has reached a verdict. Robert Hadden has been found guilty and has been charged on ALL four (4) counts of enticing women to…
Did you or a loved one ever have an appointment with Robert Hadden? You are likely eligible to file a lawsuit and seek compensation
Years of Abuse: 1987 – 2016
Brief:
Robert Hadden, a disgraced Obstetrician-Gynecologist (OB/GYN) who worked for Columbia University and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, was criminally convicted in 2016 of sexually exploiting and abusing patients under the guise of medical care.
Hadden used his position of authority and trust to sexually exploit women and girls for nearly three decades as a Columbia University physician.
All the while, Columbia University and New York-Presbyterian Hospital administrators turned their backs and ignored reports of Hadden’s abuse, gaslighting patients and the public.
Read More:
Years of Abuse: 1979 – 2022
Brief:
David H. Broadbent is a former OB/GYN under criminal investigation and facing civil lawsuits for sexual abuse of patients.
Broadent worked at multiple medical facilities in the Provo, Orem and Salt Lake City, UT areas.
These facilities included Intermountain Healthcare’s Utah Valley Hospital, MountainStar Healthcare’s Timpanogos Hospital, other Utah health care providers, and he also had adverse action taken against his medical license back in 1990.
Read More:
Years of Abuse: 1990 – 2016
Read More: University of Southern California & Predator George Tyndall
Years of Abuse: 1961 – 1996
Brief:
22 predator teachers and administrators, over the course of 35 years.
Years of Abuse: 1960 – 1982
If you have any questions about whether or not you have a case, or just want to obtain more information about what you’ve experienced – feel free to contact us through our secure website chat.
You can also contact us by calling us at (212) 233-3600 or toll free at (800) 215-1003.
All of our consultations are free and 100% confidential. Thank you.
All Rights Reserved ©2023 by The DiPietro Law Firm
