A disgraced UCLA gynecologist is heading again to jail after admitting to sexually abusing sufferers, closing a yearslong authorized saga that drew accusations from a whole bunch of ladies.
James Mason Heaps, 69, pleaded responsible Tuesday to 13 felony counts involving 5 victims, together with sexual penetration of an unconscious particular person, sexual battery by fraud and sexual exploitation of a affected person, prosecutors mentioned.
“At this time marks the second time that we’re holding James Heaps accountable for the unconscionable crimes he dedicated whereas being entrusted with the protection of his sufferers,” Los Angeles County District Legal professional Nathan J. Hochman mentioned in a information launch.
“For years, Heaps exploited the sacred belief between a health care provider and affected person to prey on susceptible victims throughout medical procedures. To all survivors, please know that we imagine you and we are going to struggle for you.”
The plea deal allowed Heaps to keep away from a retrial after an appeals courtroom in February tossed his earlier conviction over jury misconduct points, sparring victims from having to testify once more.
He was instantly sentenced to 11 years in jail by Los Angeles County Superior Court docket Choose Charlaine F. Olmedo, the identical time period he had already been serving earlier than the conviction was overturned.
Outdoors of courtroom, one in all Heaps’ former sufferers described a mixture of ache and closure because the case lastly ended.
“Whereas no sentence can restore what was taken from me or from any survivor, this issues,” Nicole Gumeert advised KTLA. “It issues as a result of we confirmed up, we reported, we refused to be silent.”
The fees Heaps admitted to symbolize only a fraction of the allegations towards him. Authorities say a whole bunch of former sufferers have accused the longtime physician of misconduct throughout his a long time at UCLA.
Legal professional John Manly, who represents greater than 100 accusers, mentioned the decision left many purchasers conflicted.
“Nonetheless, he pleaded responsible and it vindicates what our purchasers are saying,” Manly mentioned, calling the result “bittersweet” as some had hoped for an extended sentence.
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Heaps’ originial 2022 conviction had been undone after an appellate panel discovered the trial decide did not correctly deal with considerations a couple of juror’s English proficiency and didn’t inform attorneys a couple of key jury be aware, errors that led to a retrial order.
Somewhat struggle the case once more, Heaps took the plea.
His lawyer, Vicki I. Podberesky, declined to touch upon the act of contrition however mentioned he might serve about half the sentence with good-time credit earlier than being launched on parole.
As soon as a high-profile gynecologic oncologist who handled 1000’s of sufferers over almost 35 years, Heaps surrendered his medical license in 2023 and had been barred from training since 2019.
The scandal has price UCLA roughly $700 million in settlements tied to lawsuits accusing the varsity of ignoring or concealing abuse claims whereas permitting Heaps continued entry to sufferers, a lot of them susceptible ladies present process most cancers therapy, based on the Los Angeles Occasions.
Greater than 500 lawsuits have been filed, marking one of many largest sexual misconduct instances involving a college doctor in US historical past.
