New York Attorney General Investigates Columbia University’s Handling of Abusive Doctor
The New York State Attorney General’s office has launched a formal investigation into how Columbia University managed the case of Dr. Robert Hadden, a former obstetrician-gynecologist who sexually abused patients for years. The inquiry, first reported by ProPublica, will examine the institution’s response to repeated warnings about Hadden’s misconduct.
“The Office of the Attorney General is conducting a thorough investigation into the institutional response to Robert Hadden’s misconduct,” a spokesperson confirmed in a statement to ProPublica. The agency declined to provide additional specifics about the scope or timeline of the probe.
Background: A Pattern of Ignored Warnings
A ProPublica investigation published in late 2023 detailed how Columbia University failed to act on numerous complaints against Hadden, allowing him to continue seeing patients despite clear red flags. The situation culminated in 2012 when, just days after a patient called 911 to report a sexual assault, Columbia permitted Hadden to return to clinical duties.
Hadden’s abuse was eventually prosecuted in federal court, resulting in a 20-year prison sentence in early 2023. The fallout for Columbia has been severe: the university has paid out over $1 billion to settle more than 1,000 claims of sexual abuse linked to Hadden.
Institutional Accountability Remains Elusive
Following the ProPublica report, Columbia announced a series of reforms, including a $100 million victim compensation fund and the commissioning of an independent investigation. However, survivors, student advocates, and external observers argue these steps are insufficient without personnel consequences.
Notably, no senior administrators at Columbia have lost their jobs or faced public discipline. Dr. Mary D’Alton, who was copied on correspondence authorizing Hadden’s return to work, continues to serve as chair of the obstetrics and gynecology department. She did not respond to a request for comment. The university also declined to comment for this story.
The Attorney General’s office holds significant regulatory authority over New York nonprofits like Columbia. Historically, the office has used these powers to force the dissolution of the Trump Foundation and mandate reforms at the National Rifle Association. Survivors see this investigation as a critical step toward holding the institution itself accountable.
“Accountability is overdue, particularly in light of the Epstein files,” said Evelyn Yang, a survivor who was assaulted by Hadden while seven months pregnant, referencing recent disclosures about Columbia affiliates’ ties to financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The Delayed Internal Report and Political Pressure
More than two years after promising to “thoroughly examine the circumstances that allowed Hadden’s abuse to continue,” Columbia has not published the findings of its commissioned investigation. Last week, the university acknowledged “many questions” about the timeline but stated the report is expected “soon.”
New York State Assemblymember Grace Lee criticized the delay sharply. “To me, it’s just outrageous that we are here now in 2026 and we still have no report and no one has been held accountable,” she told ProPublica. For comparison, the external investigation into the University of Michigan’s handling of abusive physician Robert Anderson took approximately 15 months.
Survivor Advocacy and Legal Windows
Survivors like Marissa Hoechstetter believe institutional accountability is essential to combating gender-based violence. “I don’t know what will come of this investigation, but it shows that institutions that protect and cover up abusers… will be held accountable,” she said.
Both Hoechstetter and Yang advocated for the Adult Survivors Act, a New York law that in 2022 created a one-year window for survivors of sexual assault to file civil suits, bypassing statute of limitations restrictions. Columbia failed to notify thousands of Hadden’s former patients about his crimes until November 2023—just 10 days before that legal window closed. A recording obtained by ProPublica revealed that the decision was made by the Board of Trustees due to potential litigation costs. Monica Lypson, vice dean for medical education, who made the statement, did not respond to a request for comment.
Separately, the deadline to file a claim with Columbia’s independent victim settlement fund—an alternative to litigation—has been extended to April 15.
