In a jaw-dropping revelation that has left the nation in disbelief, a prominent federal judge in New York has unveiled his intent to hand down a sentence that will resonate through the annals of justice. Former gynecologist, Robert Hadden, responsible for a harrowing series of sexual crimes against numerous patients spanning over two decades at prestigious New York hospitals, is now facing a potential 20-year prison term.
Judge Richard M. Berman made this striking announcement during an ongoing sentencing hearing, which will resume tomorrow after certain legal issues have been addressed. Unless a change of heart befalls the judge, the crushing verdict will be delivered when the proceedings recommence. Hadden, aged 64, has been in custody since his conviction in January on four counts of enticing victims to cross state lines to facilitate their abuse.
What makes this prospective sentence particularly astonishing is that it quadruples the recommended four-to-five-year term established by federal sentencing guidelines. These guidelines serve to ensure fairness within the justice system, fostering equal treatment for individuals convicted of similar crimes. While judges do have the discretion to deviate from these guidelines, they are obligated to provide a robust explanation for their decisions.
To Judge Berman, it is abundantly clear that the magnitude and heinous nature of Hadden’s offenses, committed during his tenure at prominent New York medical institutions like Columbia University Irving Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, warrant a far lengthier spell behind bars. The judge referred to the case as unprecedented, describing it as an “outrageous, horrific, beyond extraordinary, depraved sexual abuse.”
A staggering revelation emerged from the government, reporting that a minimum of 245 women – among the thousands Hadden treated – came forward, alleging abuse. This shocking revelation further compounds the gravity of the situation and solidifies the judge’s harsh sentencing stand.
However, Hadden’s defense attorney, Deirdre von Dornum, expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed sentence, deeming it overly harsh. Furthermore, she highlighted the dire circumstances her client endures in a federal lockup in Brooklyn, where inmates threaten and extort him for his commissary funds.
Further testimonies shed light on the horrors that Hadden’s victims experienced. During the initial stage of the sentencing hearing, nine courageous women came forward, providing graphic details of how Hadden repeatedly subjected them to sexualized breast exams and inappropriately touched their genitals under the guise of medical procedures. These survivors jointly implored Judge Berman to administer the maximum possible punishment, seeking justice for their harrowing ordeals.
Hadden’s tenure at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, commencing in 1987, has since been marred by these reprehensible acts. In a bid to rectify the wrongs committed, both institutions have agreed to pay a staggering $236 million settlement, covering over 200 victims who filed civil claims against Hadden.
This shocking tale of abuse and the imminent sentencing that looms over Hadden’s fate highlights the ongoing struggle for justice in our society. As the legal proceedings run their course, the eyes of the nation remain fixated on this landmark case, hoping for a resolution that can bring solace to those whose lives were forever scarred by the abhorrent actions of a trusted doctor.
Author: Ryan Scott
Just a guy
