USC doc agrees to suspension

LOS ANGELES — Dr. George Tyndall, the University of Southern California gynecologist accused of sexually assaulting hundreds of students, has given up his medical license temporarily as he confronts a police investigation and a barrage of lawsuits.

The physician reached an agreement this week with the Medical Board of California that prohibits him from practicing medicine until the board makes a final decision on the status of his license.

State investigators for the board have been examining Tyndall’s treatment of young women at USC’s student health clinic since May when the Los Angeles Times revealed the physician’s troubled tenure at the university. He has denied any wrongdoing.

The medical board informed Tyndall, 71, this month that it planned to seek the suspension of his license. Tyndall decided to forgo a hearing and accept the suspension.

The physician, who treated tens of thousands of women over three decades at USC, has said his exams were medically legitimate.

Under the interim suspension, Tyndall cannot see patients, hold himself out as a doctor or prescribe medicine.

Los Angeles Police Department detectives are interviewing former patients and working with the lead sex crimes prosecutor at the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office. Close to 30 cases have been turned over for possible prosecution.

More than 340 women have filed civil suits against Tyndall and USC alleging the doctor sexually abused them and the university failed to protect them. USC has signaled it wants to settle the suits quickly and as a group.