A fifth woman has accused a retired University of California, Los Angeles gynecologist of sexually abusing her. The lawsuit, filed Friday, accuses Dr. James Heaps of sexual battery, negligence and civil rights violations.
"We're reviewing the lawsuit and we find the allegations against Dr. Heaps to be very disturbing," UCLA Health spokeswoman Rhonda Curry said.
The university had said it was aware of four women, including a one-time UCLA student, who alleged that Heaps sexually abused them. Heaps, 62, has been criminally charged with two counts of sexual battery by fraud involving two of those women. He pleaded not guilty on Monday.
The lawsuit involves a fifth woman who was an 18-year-old student in 2017 when she became one of Heaps' patients. The doctor had an office on the UCLA campus and worked as an employee for UCLA Health...
Full story at https://www.sacbee.com/latest-news/article231589563.html
Just a reminder: The evolving scandal involves what UCLA did or didn't do when allegations initially surfaced. Exactly what happened - or didn't - during the actual medical treatment is a separate matter now under investigation. The medical component, particularly since it involves litigation, is likely to take a long time. But the internal investigation regarding response could be moved along, particularly since the powers-that-be presumably want to get on with the UCLA centennial celebration. From the LA Times today:
In June 2017, a married mother of four experiencing severe pelvic pain went to see a UCLA gynecologist. Dr. James Mason Heaps, she alleged, improperly touched her genitals, fondled her breast and buttock and made sexual remarks during the exam. She reported the conduct to UCLA in December of that year.
Once notified, UCLA officials could have immediately removed Heaps from campus or restricted his practice to protect the public while investigating the allegations, as allowed under University of California guidelines. They could have warned the campus community — which federal law requires if university officials decide someone accused of sexual assault is a safety threat. They could have encouraged other potential victims to step forward.
UCLA officials did none of these things before announcing Heaps’ retirement last June without telling the public they found he had violated UC policies on sexual misconduct. He strongly denies all allegations of wrongdoing.
UCLA’s actions have come under scrutiny since officials announced criminal charges against Heaps on Monday...
This week, at least 22 other women have stepped forward alleging that Heaps sexually assaulted them while practicing at UCLA. The university also discovered two other complaints about Heaps while it was investigating the 2017 allegation.
This week, at least 22 other women have stepped forward alleging that Heaps sexually assaulted them while practicing at UCLA. The university also discovered two other complaints about Heaps while it was investigating the 2017 allegation.
In addition, about 75 people have contacted UCLA about Heaps since the university announced that Los Angeles prosecutors have charged the doctor with sexual battery in the two university cases. About half complained about inappropriate conduct by Heaps or possibly other physicians, UCLA’s communication and other issues; a quarter supported the doctor; and the rest had other questions, said Rhonda Curry, spokeswoman for UCLA Health...
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