USC settles for $852 million over hundreds of sex abuse allegations

The University of Southern California (USC) has reached an $852 million settlement over hundreds of sexual abuse allegations against a former head gynecologist at the student health center.

The school agreed to the “global settlement in principle” to settle litigation regarding the alleged behavior of George Tyndall, lawyers for the victims announced in a statement shared with The Hill.

The settlement means that USC has payed over $1.1 billion for claims against Tyndall. USC agreed to pay $215 million in 2018 to settle a federal class-action lawsuit over alleged Tyndall’s behavior.

Thursday’s settlement is the largest sexual abuse settlement against a university in history, as well as the largest personal injury settlement against any college or university, the attorneys said.

“The enormous size of this settlement speaks to the immense harm done to our clients and the culpability of USC,” attorney John Manly said in the statement.

“It is the sincere hope of all of the survivors that the legacy of this settlement will cause a dramatic change in this toxic culture,” he said.

Hundreds of women filed a law suit against Tyndall and USC alleging that the school covered up accusations of Tyndall’s abusive behavior going back to 2000, and allowed him to have access to the women.

Thursday’s settlement will end litigation brought by 710 women in Los Angeles Superior Court, USC said in a separate statement. The school said that the settlement was “fair and reasonable.”

“I am deeply sorry for the pain experienced by these valued members of the USC community,” USC President Carol Folt said in a statement. “We appreciate the courage of all who came forward and hope this much needed resolution provides some relief to the women abused by George Tyndall.”

Separately, Tyndall is facing criminal charges over allegations that he sexually assaulted 16 women over seven years during medical exams between 2009 and his departure from USC in 2016.

NBC News noted that Tyndall has pleaded not guilty, and that his trial is pending.