Topline:
George Tyndall, the former USC gynecologist accused of sexually abusing patients on campus, has died, his attorney's office confirmed Thursday.
Why it matters: Tyndall had been charged with 27 felonies: 18 counts of sexual penetration of an unconscious person and nine counts of sexual battery by fraud. He pleaded not guilty in August and was expected to stand trial next year. Attorneys for the 16 alleged victims say the women had gone to USC’s student health center for annual exams between 2009 and 2016, but ended up being abused by Tyndall. Now, the trial won't happen.
For context: USC agreed to pay $1.1 billion to settle abuse allegations from more than 710 women against Tyndall, who had worked on the university campus for decades.
George Tyndall, the former USC gynecologist accused of sexually abusing patients on campus, was found dead Wednesday, according to his attorney's office.
The Los Angeles Times reported Tyndall was found unresponsive at his home. His attorney, Leonard Levine, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Tyndall worked at USC’s Engemann Student Health Center for 26 years. Hundreds of Tyndall's former patients, many young women who went to him for regular exams, accused him of inappropriate behavior and abuse. Tyndall was placed on leave in 2016 after a nurse reported him to a rape crisis center.
In 2018, USC agreed to pay $215 million to settle a class action lawsuit for 17,000 of Tyndall’s former patients. Following the settlement, USC President C. L. Max Nikias resigned under pressure from hundreds of faculty.
Tyndall was arrested and charged with dozens of felonies in 2019. Three months later, the California Medical Board stripped Tyndall of his ability to practice medicine in the state.
In 2021, USC agreed to pay $852 million to 710 of his former patients. In total, the university has agreed to pay more than $1.1 billion to settle abuse allegations against Tyndall.
He was expected to stand trial for charges related to 16 former patients next year. Tyndall pleaded not guilty to 18 counts of sexual penetration of an unconscious person and nine counts of sexual battery by fraud. Levine had said Tyndall denied any wrongdoing.
Tyndall was free on bond. The coroner's office is expected to do an autopsy to determine his cause of death.
