Attorneys for disgraced gynecologist Robert Hadden are making a last-ditch effort to save their client from a “staggering” 25-year prison sentence.
The defense further asserted that this is not an opportunity for the government to retry the case or for the court to resentence disgraced gynecologist Hadden for the state sexual abuse charges for which he has already been prosecuted and sentenced. (Photo: NBC News)
Attorneys of Disgraced Gynecologist Argue for Lesser Sentence
Disgraced gynecologist Hadden’s defense team argues that prosecutors crossed the line by presenting allegations beyond the guilty verdict rendered on January 24.
According to Law and Crime, the defense filed a motion on Thursday, claiming that the government is attempting to introduce allegations that either did not result in a guilty verdict or have already been addressed in Hadden’s previous New York state case.
They emphasized that the purpose of the sentencing is to consider the four crimes of conviction, which involve inducing four adult women across state lines for the purpose of sexual abuse.
The defense further asserted that this is not an opportunity for the government to retry the case or for the court to resentence disgraced gynecologist Hadden for the state sexual abuse charges for which he has already been prosecuted and sentenced.
They expressed their disbelief at the prosecution’s recommendation of 25 years, labeling it as “staggering.” According to their own calculations, the defense argued for a sentence of two years and nine months.
They highlighted that the disgraced gynecologist has not committed a crime in over a decade and emphasized his “extraordinarily compelling family circumstances.”
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Other Charges Against the Disgraced Gynecologist
Hadden, a former 64-year-old Columbia University doctor, had previously evaded prison time in New York state when he pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting two pregnant patients in 2016. He lost his medical license and made a commitment to never practice medicine again, regardless of the state.
However, federal prosecutors brought charges against him in 2020.
Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Audrey Strauss described disgraced gynecologist Hadden as a “predator in a white coat” who had been sexually abusing patients for years.
Strauss explained that the disgraced gynecologist would arrange to be alone with his victims and would establish trust by sharing personal information about himself.
The prosecution’s sentencing submission, filed on June 20, highlighted how disgraced gynecologist Hadden took advantage of one woman’s religious and sheltered upbringing. Over a period of 12 years, he sexually abused or assaulted her between 62 and 84 times.
Prosecutors also revealed that disgraced gynecologist Hadden engaged in unsolicited “sex talk” with his victims, making unnecessary and invasive comments about their bodies and discussing topics like pornography.
Many of the survivors were subjected to his misconduct over several years, with disgraced gynecologist Hadden’s actions dating back to the late 1980s when he began his medical practice.
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