Predatory ex-gynecologist gets 20 years

A New York City-based gynecologist who lives in Englewood was sentenced to 20 years in prison for sexually abusing four patients, the office of the U.S. Attorney, Southern District of New York announced July 25.

Although the sentence was in connection with the abuse of four out-of-state patients, dozens of patients said they had been abused by Hadden, the U.S. attorney's office said in a graphic statement.

Hadden, who practiced medicine between in or about 1987 to 2012, was convicted at trial on Jan. 24, 2023, for inducing four victims to travel interstate to his medical offices in Manhattan so that he could sexually abuse them.

The government proved at trial that the defendant sexually abused dozens of patients over the course of more than two decades under the guise of purported medical examinations.

In addition to the prison term, Hadden was sentenced to a lifetime of supervised release and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and a $400 special assessment fee.

Two New York City hospitals earlier agreed to pay $165 million to women who accused Hadden of sexual abuse and misconduct.

Hadden, 64, cried when sentenced, the Associated Press reported.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Under the guise of medical treatment, Robert Hadden sexually abused and assaulted numerous patients for approximately 25 years, exploiting them in vulnerable moments for his own sexual gratification. Thanks to the tireless work of the career prosecutors of this Office, Hadden will rightfully spend decades in federal prison. We thank and commend the victims who bravely came forward to share their stories and ensure that their abuser faces justice.”

Hadden sexually abused victims in various ways, prosecutors proved, “including by massaging and groping victimsʼbreasts for a prolonged period; groping both breasts at the same time; pinching, twisting, or otherwise manipulating a victimʼs nipples; extracting colostrum from a victimʼs breasts and tasting it; digitally penetrating and/or rubbing victimsʼvaginas in efforts to masturbate them; touching victimsʼclitorises; and licking victimsʼvaginas.”

Each of these abusive acts was committed by Hadden without any valid medical purpose and under the guise of legitimate medical care.

At the sentencing, Judge Berman imposed the statutory maximum penalty for each count of conviction, to run concurrently. The court described the defendantʼs conduct as “exceptional and unprecedented,” “shocking in the extreme,” “horrific,” and “depraved.”

In imposing its sentence, the court discussed, among other things, the magnitude and scope of the defendantʼs serial sexual abuse, its unchecked nature, the defendantʼs “skillfulness at deception,” the predatory nature of his sex crimes, and the fact that the defendant preyed on vulnerable patients who trusted him, thereby repeatedly violating a “womanʼs right to decide what happens to her body.”

Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the

Federal Bureau of Investigation.

This case is being handled by the Officeʼs Public Corruption Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lara Pomerantz, Jane Kim, and Paul Monteleoni are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of paralegal specialist Con- nor Hamill.

The national sexual assault hotline offers confidential 24/7 support. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, call 800-656-HOPE (4673), or visit the online chat hotline. Staff report