Ex-USC gynecologist charged with sexually assaulting students dies before going to trial

32

A former gynecologist associated with the University of Southern California (USC), George Tyndall, who had been facing over two dozen charges of sexual misconduct between 2009 and 2016, was discovered deceased in his residence on Wednesday. Tyndall’s attorney, Leonard Levine, confirmed this sad news. Tyndall, aged 76, had previously pleaded not guilty to these charges in 2019 and had been released on bail awaiting a trial date that had not yet been scheduled.

The discovery of Tyndall’s lifeless body came about when a close friend visited his Los Angeles home after unsuccessful attempts to reach him by phone. According to Levine, there is no indication of foul play or suicide involved in this unfortunate incident.

Prior to his passing, Tyndall was scheduled to return to court later this month to set a trial date. His steadfast assertion of innocence was unwavering, and he aimed to present his case before a jury.

Originally, Tyndall had been charged with 35 felony counts in 2019, but this number was later reduced to 27, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. Among these charges, 18 pertained to sexual penetration of an unconscious individual, and nine were associated with sexual battery by fraud. These allegations were brought forward by 16 former patients at USC’s student health center.

The allegations against Tyndall initially surfaced in 2018 through an investigation by the Los Angeles Times, which unveiled a history of sexual misconduct complaints against the doctor at USC dating back to the 1990s. Tyndall had served at the university for nearly three decades.

In 2016, Tyndall was suspended from USC when a nurse reported his actions to a rape crisis center. Subsequently, he quietly resigned the following year, receiving a substantial payout.

Numerous women came forward to report their allegations, though some fell outside the 10-year statute of limitations, while others lacked the necessary evidence to support criminal charges. Nevertheless, Tyndall faced the possibility of up to 64 years in prison if found guilty.

The University of Southern California declined to comment on Tyndall’s passing.

Amidst the ongoing criminal case, USC reached a settlement in 2021 worth $852 million with more than 700 women who had accused the university’s long-serving gynecologist of sexual abuse. This settlement was considered a landmark in sexual abuse lawsuits against educational institutions.

During the settlement process, Tyndall was deposed but largely exercised his right against self-incrimination in his responses. He neither contributed financially to the settlement nor admitted wrongdoing.

Attorney John Manly, the lead counsel in the civil case, placed blame on former and current district attorneys for the lengthy delays in filing criminal charges. Manly, who also represents two victims in the criminal proceedings, lamented the trauma experienced by his clients and the postponement of justice due to the protracted legal process.

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office has not yet responded to requests for comment on this matter.

Additionally, in 2019, USC agreed to pay $215 million to settle a class-action lawsuit involving approximately 18,000 women who were patients of Tyndall. Individual compensation for these victims ranged from $2,500 to $250,000, irrespective of whether they formally accused Tyndall of harassment or assault.

George Tyndall surrendered his medical license in September 2019.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Sexual Abuse Allegations

More about Sexual Abuse Allegations

• Former USC gynecologist charged with sexually assaulting students found dead
• George Tyndall and the USC gynecologist scandal
• USC to Pay $852 Million to Settle Sex Abuse Claims Against Gynecologist