On Abusing OB/GYN Hadden Victims Speak Asking Maximum Sentence, More on July 24

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By Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Video Photo

SDNY COURTHOUSE, June 28 – Former Columbia University doctor Robert A. Hadden was hit on September 9, 2020 with a Federal indictment charging that "sexually abused dozens of female patients, including multiple minors, under the guise of conducting purported gynecological and obstetric examinations."

The case was assigned to U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York Judge Richard M. Berman, who handled the case of Jeffrey Epstein until he died in the Metropolitan Correctional Center.   Epstein came up during the bail argument, which Hadden won. Inner City Press live tweeted it.

On January 23, 2023, just after Hadden was found guilty, there was an argument about whether to immediately remand him to prison. Victims said yes, the US argued for it; Federal Defenders said no. Judge Berman set a hearing for February 1 and allowed Hadden to leave, telling him to come up with a Plan B. Video of exit here. Inner City Press live tweeted here.

On February 1, victims spoke and then Hadden was remanded, with immediate effect. Inner City Press live tweeted it, thread here and below.

On June 28, Judge Berman held the first of two days of victim testimony for sentencing. Inner City Press live tweeted, thread here:

OK - now at sentencing of Dirty Doc Hadden of Columbia, victim testifying by first name: Adina.

Adina a/k/a Victim-9: I'm here because I need you to fully understand what Hadden did to me. Errant behavior must have consequences. Hadden's signature move is sympathy. The fancy word for this is covert narcissism.

 Adina: He convinced me I was allergic to latex, so he could use ungloved fingers. I checked out. Later I learned this is called disassociation. Being present is almost impossible for me. I experience life cerebrally so it is no wonder my head is always hurting

Adina: My body wasn't betraying me, it was warning me.  Life feels like I'm being waterboarded.  I'm the PTSD version of a mother. Hadden wanted to dominate and harm women. There is so much shame in being a victim, over five years and four children.

 Adina: Doctor - patient betrayal shatters trust in everyone. The shame is so heavy- but it's not mine alone to carry. It belongs to that man over there [Hadden]. It belongs to Vance's office for botching the case, & his lawyer, playing games on her phone, I saw it

Adina: Hadden plays the long game. He got a plea deal in 2016. They ignored that a predator will always find prey. Judge Berman, please do not let his victim act deceive you. Don't let him off the hook again. Give him the maximum sentence.

Adina: Being heard is wonderful but it is not enough. Columbia University let him keep him job. Judge Berman, please end this madness. Thank you.

Next is Robyn Bass Lavender: "He delivered my first child. I had 50 appointments, all involving grooming and abuse

 Lavender: I want to thank those who spoke out, including Evelyn Yang. Robert Hadden had caused me to forever mistrust my judgment. He cannot be rehabilitated. He has not shown any remorse. He has impacted 100s, likely 1000s, all harmed

 Next witness: I married in my mid-30s, so this would likely be my last child. I sit in our 6th floor apartment on 181st Street with a beautiful view and try to write the complaint about the "exam." Still in British drama it is called a girl being "interfered with"

 After Judge Berman took a break, there is one more victim, testifying by number: "I'm speaking now, sorry I'm crying, I've held it all in for so long... It's taken me a while to process, after the bail hearing. I have felt so alone, so betrayed, so scared...

 Last witness: I was a star, then I was pretty much nothing. Then I heard all of you and I started rebuilding myself.  You, Judge Berman, said, What about the victim? It regained trust, love, justice. I had hope. I have not been able to hold a job

Judge Berman: Thank you. I  appreciate the sincerity, candor, the difficult if not painful statements from each of the brave women today. The sentencing will resume on July 24 at 9:30 am, the second phase.  Inner City Press will cover that as well.

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