Former Manhattan gynecologist Robert Hadden sentenced to 20 years for sexually abusing hundreds of patients
NEW YORK -- Former Columbia University gynecologist Robert Hadden was sentenced to 20 years in prison Tuesday.
For the first time Tuesday, his victims heard him address the court, offering an apology.
There were hugs of relief outside Manhattan federal court, where patients of Hadden got the justice some have sought for decades, learning that a judge sentenced the disgraced gynecologist to 20 years in prison for sexually abusing women.
"I'm numb. It's so much to process," survivor Laurie Kanyok said.
"It has been a long, traumatic journey. I really hope having him behind bars gives all of us women some closure," a survivor named Adina said.
Hadden was convicted back in January on four counts of luring women across state lines to abuse them. But more than 200 victims have come forward with claims of sexual assault against the former Columbia University OB/GYN, the oldest allegation dating back to the 1980s.
A packed courtroom of patients came to his sentencing where he offered a brief apology, choking up as he said, "I'm very sorry for the pain I've caused."
"I want to say it was better than nothing, but I don't know if it was. He could have turned around and spoke to us. I'm sorry for what? To Who? Your family? Are you sorry to us victims did we even have faces?" Adina said.
In 2016, Hadden surrendered his medical license, but avoided prison time at the state level as part of a plea deal.
Survivors who felt betrayed then say they feel vindicated now.
The judge in this federal case also sentenced 66-year-old Hadden to face a lifetime of supervised release, calling his behavior "lewd, depraved, and out of control."
"I think he did the best he could. Obviously he went above what was recommended, and that felt like he was with us," Kanyok said.
While Hadden's patients say the doctor victimized them, the hospitals he worked for were equally culpable.
"Columbia, New York Presbyterian very much have responsibility. They were not in the courtroom today. They should be, and we're not done," survivor Marissa Hoechstetter said.
Hundreds of former patients have already settled lawsuits against Columbia University, reaching agreements totaling more than $230 million.