The University of Southern California said Friday that it would pay USD 215 million to settle claims of sexual abuse and harassment by a school gynecologist, but lawyers for hundreds of the accusers say it's not enough money and the university has yet to fully disclose what it knew about the doctor's behaviour.
The tentative settlement, which needs a judge's approval, will provide compensation ranging from USD 2,500 up to USD 250,000 to women who say Dr. George Tyndall abused them between 1988 and 2016, USC Interim President Wanda Austin said in a statement.
About 500 current and former students have now made accusations against Tyndall and filed various lawsuits. They contend he routinely made crude comments, took inappropriate photos, forced them to strip naked and groped them under the guise of medical treatment.
Tyndall spent about three decades as a USC staff gynecologist before retiring last year after a university investigation concluded there was evidence that he sexually harassed students during exams.
Tyndall has denied the allegations and has not been charged with a crime. The Los Angeles police and the Los Angeles County district attorney's office are reviewing allegations against him.
His attorney, Leonard Levine, said in a statement that Tyndall "continues to focus on the criminal investigation" and had no further comment.
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The proposed settlement specifically applies to a pending federal class-action lawsuit that involves a fraction of the overall accusers but is open to every woman who ever had an appointment with the gynecologist.
Three attorneys representing nearly 300 alleged victims say they're strongly advising their clients against joining the federal action so they can continue their fight in state court instead.
"The only guaranteed number in this case is USD 2,500 USD 2,500 won't even get you a 50-yard-line seat at a USC football game, let alone compensate somebody for being sexually assaulted by their doctor when they were 18 or 17," said John Manly, an attorney who represents 180 accusers.
Attorney Gloria Allred, who represents 36 women who have accused Tyndall, said in a statement that the amount of money under the proposed settlement is "way too minimal." "In our opinion, for what some of the victims went through, this is a nuisance amount and may not properly compensate victims for what some of them have suffered," she said.
Manly also criticized the proposed settlement as failing to hold USC accountable and called it an effort to cap future monetary damages.
"We still don't know when did USC first know, how often were they warned, what administrators were involved, was there criminal conduct?" Manly said. "Our clients, more than anything, want those answers and people held accountable, not because it helps their case but to protect the future women at USC."
Tara Lee, an attorney who represents USC, said questions regarding potential criminal conduct are being investigated "and those answers will be available when the investigation itself is completed."
"The settlement process they're criticizing would not provide for that," she said. "The settlement process would be very victim-focused to address their needs and make sure they have their claims identified and awarded."