LOS ANGELES — The University of Southern California has agreed to settle claims from 80 former patients, most identifying as LGBTQ, who accused a men's health physician of misconduct — although the terms of the settlement remain shrouded in secrecy.
In a joint statement released Thursday, USC and lawyers for the alleged victims of Dr. Dennis Kelly said that "all parties have mutually agreed that the details of the settlement will remain confidential." The statement continued: "The parties hope that this amicable resolution will bring closure to the plaintiffs."
The settlement brings to a close a series of lawsuits that were first filed in 2019 and grew to 80 former patients accusing Kelly of sexual battery, harassment and inappropriate remarks during appointments. Four of the plaintiffs identified as heterosexual, and 76 as LGBTQ; one plaintiff identified as male at the time of the appointment with Kelly but now identifies as a woman, said Mikayla Kellogg, one of the lead attorneys in the case.
