Attorneys for a former gynecologist accused of sexually abusing dozens of sufferers have questioned a federal choose to dismiss the scenario or go it out of Manhattan. Robert Hadden’s lawyers cited his earlier guilty plea settlement on condition fees, as perfectly as many years of media protection —including 50 percent a dozen CBS News articles— in generating their requests.
Hadden, a former Columbia University medical doctor, is facing seven counts in link with alleged abuse of six grownup individuals and a single insignificant. Prosecutors also allege in the indictment that Hadden assaulted “dozens of female patients, like multiple minors” between 1993 and 2012, though Hadden is not experiencing expenses for those people further allegations.
Hadden has entered not responsible pleas to all federal fees.
Prosecutors claim Hadden, for the intent of partaking in illegal sexual activity, “enticed and induced” persons to journey interstate by “leading to victims to return to appointments with him to be further sexually abused.”
Hadden entered a responsible plea in 2016 to two point out costs of felony sex functions in the third diploma and forcible touching. His plea agreement involved a stipulation that he would not “be prosecuted for any comparable crimes which are regarded to the District Attorney’s Business office.”
Hadden’s lawyers, public defenders Deirdre von Dornum and Michael Weil, claimed in the August 2 filing that the lawyer who represented him in that circumstance unsuccessful to suggest him that his plea arrangement wouldn’t apply to federal charges.
They accused federal prosecutors of showing to “be performing as a resource of the Manhattan DA” to deliver charges in a situation earlier settled regionally, and said the two places of work engaged in “one thing nearer to illicit collusion.”
In February 2020, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office environment announced it was investigating new allegations against Hadden. That investigation has not led to prices, and Hadden’s lawyers say the announcement was “tiny a lot more than a not-also-refined signal to” federal prosecutors, who “responded by launching the investigation which resulted in the fast indictment that the [Manhattan District Attorney’s Office] was alone not able to provide.”
Spokespeople for the Manhattan District Legal professional and the Southern District of New York U.S. Attorney’s Workplace declined requests for remark on the accusation.
In inquiring for a transform of location, Hadden’s lawyers famous that his 2016 plea offer, which did not involve prison, had develop into a significant issue in the ongoing election campaign to be successful existing Manhattan District Lawyer Cyrus Vance Jr.
Hadden’s attorneys mentioned that advocacy and “heartbreaking” media protection of previous clients, this sort of as Marissa Hoechstetter, who is among the at the very least 195 gals suing Hadden and Columbia College, could hamper an energy to seat an neutral jury.
“For instance, Marissa Hoechstetter in statements to CBS News, expressed fears that her overall health may possibly be impaired by her panic about going to a healthcare place of work. She also has detailed the harm to her psychological health she thinks she suffered as a consequence of what she says Mr. Hadden did to her,” defense attorneys wrote.
Hoechstetter explained in an email to CBS Information, “I will not be bullied into silence by Hadden or his attorneys.”
“Nowhere in the legislation does it say that I cannot communicate truthfully about my knowledge. In the conclude, silence gains no a single. We are below mainly because folks like Hadden prosper on silence. Sexual violence festers in silence. This recent movement is an endeavor to distract from his abhorrent (and illegal!) actions and failure to consider accountability for his steps,” Hoechstetter reported.
Hoechstetter has for years advocated for reforms to the Manhattan District Attorney’s sex crimes device, and Hadden’s lawyers observed she “personally endorsed Alvin Bragg,” the prospect who gained the Democratic major and is heavily favored to be the future district lawyer.
They highlighted a July 17, 2019 tweet by Bragg in which he wrote, “The Hadden scenario is a travesty of justice.” The attorneys claim Bragg “staked his victory on the notion that Mr. Hadden was a serial abuser, a idea that appealed to a the greater part of Manhattan voters.”
A spokesperson for Bragg declined to remark.
Prosecutors have not but responded to the motions trying to find dismissal or transform of venue.