Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who has gained national attention for his aggressive legal actions against former President Donald Trump, now finds himself in legal hot water. A judge recently held Bragg in contempt of court for refusing to provide critical materials in a controversial sex abuse case involving disgraced gynecologist Dr. Robert Hadden.
The case dates back to 2016, when Bragg’s predecessor, former Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance Jr., offered Hadden a controversial plea bargain. Hadden, accused of sexually abusing multiple patients, pleaded guilty to abusing one woman in exchange for avoiding jail time and surrendering his medical license. The deal also shielded him from prosecution for crimes against at least five other victims.
This agreement has drawn intense criticism, particularly from the victims and their legal team, who argue that the DA’s office prioritized protecting powerful institutions like Columbia University, Hadden’s former employer, over justice for the victims.
The current legal drama centers on a civil lawsuit brought by attorney Anthony DiPietro on behalf of Hadden’s victims. DiPietro is seeking communications between the Manhattan DA’s office and Columbia University, which he believes could prove the university was aware of Hadden’s predatory behavior but failed to act.
Despite a court order from Judge Richard G. Latin last month compelling Bragg’s office to release these communications, Bragg has refused to comply. This defiance led to the judge holding him in contempt.
In a statement to the New York Post, DiPietro did not mince words, accusing Bragg’s office of shielding Columbia University from accountability.
“They should be prosecuting Columbia, not protecting them,” DiPietro asserted. “Covering up a crime is a crime itself, and now it seems like the district attorney is helping Columbia hide those documents. We want the documents.”
DiPietro believes these records could show that Columbia University was aware of Hadden’s misconduct and failed to protect patients. “If the lawyers at the District Attorney’s office — the prosecutors — are worth their salt, they’re gonna get this information before they offer any plea deal,” he added.
Although Hadden initially avoided jail time thanks to the Manhattan DA’s plea deal, justice caught up with him in federal court. In January, federal prosecutors successfully convicted Hadden on sex trafficking charges. During sentencing, the disgraced doctor broke down in tears as he was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison.
Federal prosecutors alleged that Hadden exploited his position as a gynecologist to sexually abuse numerous patients over decades, using medical examinations as a pretext for his crimes.
The civil suit against Columbia University and the DA’s office raises broader questions about accountability and transparency. Critics argue that the DA’s refusal to release communications with Columbia suggests a deeper effort to protect powerful institutions at the expense of victims.
The case has amplified scrutiny of Bragg, who has already faced criticism for his handling of other cases. While his office has maintained that it is protecting sensitive information, victims and their advocates see this as an unacceptable excuse.
“This isn’t just about Hadden anymore,” one victim said. “It’s about a system that allowed him to continue abusing women for years.”
Being held in contempt of court is a serious legal rebuke, and it adds another layer of controversy to Bragg’s already contentious tenure. For a district attorney who has built his reputation on prosecuting high-profile cases, this episode could undermine public confidence in his leadership.
Legal experts warn that Bragg’s refusal to comply with the court order could have significant consequences, both for his office and for the broader fight for accountability in cases of institutional abuse.
The public response to Bragg’s contempt ruling has been swift and damning. Many see it as a failure of leadership in a case that has already been marred by controversy. “This is about justice for the victims,” DiPietro emphasized. “The DA’s office should be working with us, not obstructing us.”
The case also raises larger questions about the relationship between prosecutors and powerful institutions like Columbia University. If the allegations of a cover-up are substantiated, it could lead to a broader reckoning for those who enabled Hadden’s abuse.
As the legal battle continues, all eyes will be on Bragg and his next moves. For now, his defiance of a court order serves as a stark reminder of the challenges victims face in their quest for justice.
Disgraced NYC ob-gyn Robert Hadden sobs in court as he’s sentenced to 20 years for sex trafficking patients https://t.co/HR3ltU2XHZ pic.twitter.com/7jBViXkClU
— New York Post (@nypost) July 25, 2023
“I’m very sorry for all the pain that I have caused,” Hadden told Judge Richard Berman, who went on to condemn his “shocking and extreme” behavior.
