Gynecologist From NJ Lured Dozens In 20 Years Of Sex Abuse: Feds

ENGLEWOOD, NJ — Acting U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss didn't mince words in her description of disgraced gynecologist Robert Hadden. Or, as she called him, "a predator in a white coat."

Hadden, who was arrested Wednesday morning, abused dozens of women and girls over the course of 20 years at his Manhattan practice, according to an indictment released Wednesday.

The Englewood resident is charged with six counts of enticing women — including one minor — to travel across state lines to engage in illegal sex acts. Each count carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years.

According to Strauss, who announced the charges along with William F. Sweeney Jr., the Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Hadden used the examinations of his victims for his own sexual gratification under the veil that he was performing legitimate medical acts.

One of the women to come forward with allegations against Hadden is Evelyn Yang, wife of former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang.

Yang told CNN Hadden assaulted her in a Manhattan exam room while she was seven months pregnant.

"I was in the exam room, and I was dressed and ready to go. Then, at the last minute, he kind of made up an excuse," she told CNN. "He said something about, 'I think you might need a C-section,' and he proceeded to grab me over to him and undress me and examine me internally, ungloved."

This assault is consistent with what the new indictment asserts; that Hadden used his position of power to sexually abuse his patients under the guise that it was medically necessary.

Hadden, according to the indictment, habitually sought opportunities to be alone with his victims, often sending nurses and assistants out of the examination room, or purposely failing to notify those same assistants that he was with the patient at all.

Like as Yang explained in her CNN interview, as Hadden built a rapport with his victims, the relationship became increasingly abusive.

According to the indictment, these alleged abuses include "excessively long" and sexualized breast and pelvic exams.

According to The New York Times, the Office of Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr. has been conducting a separate investigation of Hadden, but drew heavy criticism when, in 2016, Hadden accepted a plea deal to avoid jail time. It was at that time Hadden lost his medical license.

In total, The Times reports, over 65 women have accused Hadden of abuse, including one minor that Hadden himself had delivered, according to Strauss.

Sweeney said the FBI is actively looking to hear from more victims as the investigation continues.

"It is important to remember nothing Dr. Hadden has done was, or ever will be, your fault. We see time and time again that voices matter, and those who have stepped forward have empowered others to do the same," he said.