Feds probe USC over handling of sex harassment allegations

LOS ANGELES >> The federal government is investigating whether the University of Southern California concealed sexual harassment allegations made against a campus gynecologist whose behavior during pelvic examinations has prompted hundreds of complaints, officials announced Monday.

The Department of Education will investigate USC’s response to allegations that Dr. George Tyndall, USC’s staff gynecologist for nearly three decades, groped female students during exams and improperly photographed and made comments about the women’s bodies.

Allegations against Tyndall were made as early as 1990 but USC failed to fully investigate until 2016, and the school also failed to disclose the complaints during an earlier sexual harassment investigation, according to the Department of Education.

The agency’s Officer for Civil Rights is looking into possible violations of Title IX, a federal civil rights program that has been legally interpreted as requiring schools to appropriately handle reports of sexual harassment and sexual violence. If violations are found, the Department of Education can impose fines and potentially cut off USC’s access to further federal funds.

“No student should ever endure sexual harassment or abuse while trying to pursue their education,” Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said in the statement.

“We welcome the U.S. Department of Education’s investigation and the university will fully cooperate with their inquiry,” Rick Caruso, chairman of the USC Board of Trustees, said in a statement.