Ex-USC Gynecologist Tyndall Arrested On Sexual Misconduct Charges

LOS ANGELES -- A former USC campus gynecologist accused of sexual abusing hundreds of women under the guise of medical exams was arrested today by Los Angeles police and charged with sexually assaulting 16 patients over the course of seven years.

George Tyndall was arrested outside his apartment following a months-long investigation.

According to the District Attorney's Office, Tyndall, 72, was charged with 18 counts of sexual penetration and 11 counts of sexual battery by force, all felonies.

Prosecutors said the alleged victims range in age from 17 to 29, and the alleged assaults occurred between 2009 and 2016 while Tyndall worked at the campus health center.

Tyndall is facing up to 53 years in prison if convicted, according to prosecutors, who are recommending that his bail be set at more than $2 million.

An arraignment date was not immediately set.

Tyndall has previously denied any wrongdoing, insisting his actions were legitimate medical exams.

Hundreds of former patients have sued Tyndall and USC, accusing the university of failing to respond to allegations of abuse by the campus gynecologist dating back decades.

On June 13, a federal judge in Los Angeles gave preliminary approval to a $215 million class-action settlement with some of the women suing the university.

The class includes as many as 17,000 women seen by Tyndall at the USC Student Health Center between Aug. 14, 1989, and June 21, 2016, whose treatment included an examination of their breast or genital areas by the physician.

City News Service contributed to this report.