The University of Southern California announced Friday it will pay $215 million dollars to patients treated by a former gynecologist accused of sexual misconduct. The settlement will give a minimum of $2,500 to each student who saw Dr. George Tyndall, even if they didn't press charges. This comes one day after 93 former students came forward in two new lawsuits against him.
"The impact of my appointments with Dr. Tyndall went far beyond just discomfort while I was with him. It has impacted my ability to trust male physicians about sensitive topics and even with touching my body," Marie Nowacki, a former USC student, said.
CNN reports Tyndall was the only full-time gynecologist at the school's student health facility for 30 years. In July, more than 50 students and alumni filed lawsuits against the former USC doctor, saying he sexually abused, harassed and molested them.
One of the women who came forward Thursday described feeling intimidated by Tyndall after she said he made "racially charged, sexist comments about black women's fertility, sexuality, and physicality."
"During small talk, after inquiring what I studied and my career aspirations, I shared that I was interested in opening businesses in low-income black communities, to which Dr. Tyndall responded, and I quote, 'You should open up more clinics so they can stop having so many babies,'" Shernae Hughes, a recent USC graduate, said.
The Los Angeles Times reports more than 460 people have taken legal action against USC over the matter. The University of Southern California's president stepped down following criticism over the way the school handled the claims of sexual harassment.
Additional reporting from Newsy affiliate CNN.
