NEW YORK — Former Columbia University gynecologist Robert Hadden was motivated solely by “his own sexual desires” when he abused vulnerable patients, prosecutors charged at the start of his abuse trial Monday.
Prosecutors have accused the convicted former obstetrician — who was for decades well respected in his field — of inducing seven adult women and a teenage girl to travel from out of state so he could abuse and molest them under the guise of conducting gynecological and obstetric examinations.
In his opening argument at federal court in Manhattan, Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Monteleone said the victims were among dozens of vulnerable patients who trusted him as they sought health care but who Hadden abused his prestigious position to prey on.
