30 more women sue University of Southern California over sex abuse scandal

LOS ANGELES - Thirty more women patients filed a lawsuit Wednesday over alleged inappropriate behavior by Dr. George Tyndall, a former gynecologist at the University of Southern California (USC), bringing the number of women suing the university to more than 340.

The new lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court by the law firm of John Manly alleges that the university received numerous complaints about Tyndall's sexually abusive behavior, dating back to at least 1989, but deliberately concealed his sexual abuse, City News Service, a local news outlet, reported.

"This latest filing includes clients who were violated in extreme ways by a doctor who did not even take the basic precaution of wearing gloves during his invasive procedures," Manly told the wire service.

The complaints include improper photographing of genitals, improper touching during pelvic exams, and making sexually suggestive comments.

"Time and time again complaints against Dr. Tyndall were ignored by student health center nurses and staff for nearly 30 years," Manly added.

The USC has established a hotline for complaints about Tyndall's sexual harassment and misconduct and said it would take measures for significant and sustainable change.

Wanda M. Austin was appointed interim USC president Tuesday, replacing C. L. Max Nikias, who agreed to step down amid the scandal.

Austin said in a statement Wednesday that in her address to new students at their convocation next day, she would underline that the USC senior leadership is fully committed to bringing about change.