(Trends Wide) — A former UCLA gynecologist was convicted Thursday on 5 of 21 charges alleging various forms of sexual abuse, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office said in a statement.
James Heaps, 65, was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault by fraud and two counts of sexual penetration of an unconscious person, according to the release.
He was acquitted of three counts of sexual assault by fraud, three counts of sexual penetration of an unconscious person and one count of sexual exploitation of a patient, and a mistrial was declared on 10 other counts, they said. The defendant will remain in custody until sentencing, his attorney Leonard Levin said.
The alleged abuse occurred when Heaps was working part-time at the student health center from about 1983 to 2010 and was hired by UCLA Health in 2014, UCLA previously said. He was originally indicted in 2019 and then indicted by a grand jury in 2021 on charges of sexual misconduct between 2009 and 2018, the district attorney’s office said.
While “it is disappointing” that Heaps has not been found guilty on all counts, the district attorney’s office can appeal, said Jeanette Meyers, deputy deputy director of the airport branch. She also applauded the victims for coming forward and sharing their experiences.
Nicole Gumpert, one of the victims in the criminal case, said that while she is disappointed by the mixed verdict, coming forward was important for her “psychological, emotional and spiritual health and well-being.”
“I am here to put a face and a voice to the horrible abuse of Dr. Heaps and to say to you, survivors, do not let anything stop you from coming forward just because our road has been long and arduous,” Gumpert told a conference. press release after the verdict.
“It’s a relief that he’s going behind bars today,” said a woman who gave her name as Julie and was involved in civil litigation. “The fear that he was out there, you know the dates happened a while ago, but the terror is still with you.”
Levin said they plan to request a new trial for Heaps.
“We are, of course, disappointed with the verdict and the guilty verdicts that were handed down,” he said. “We are pleased with the not guilty verdicts, and we hope the public understands that there are significant issues and rulings that the court made that we believe had an effect on the jury.”
On Thursday, UCLA Health said they are thankful for the patients who have come forward.
“Sexual misconduct of any kind is reprehensible and intolerable,” they said in a statement. “Our top priority is providing the highest quality care and ensuring that patients feel safe, secure and respected.”
Heaps is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 17 and could face between 21 and 28 years in prison, prosecutors said.
In February 2022, the University of California system reached a $243.6 million settlement with more than two hundred people who allege they were sexually abused by former UCLA obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. James Heaps. according to a statement from university officials and attorneys for the plaintiffs.
After his arrest, many women came forward and accused Heaps of wrongdoing.
As part of the settlement, the university agreed to pay 203 plaintiffs who brought civil cases against Heaps in Los Angeles Superior Court alleging sexual misconduct, according to the joint statement.
The settlement was reached “after substantial litigation” and “achieved with the assistance of a private mediator,” the joint statement said.
The settlement is separate from another reached in November 2020, when the university system agreed to pay $73 million to those who alleged Heaps sexually abused them.
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(Trends Wide) — A former UCLA gynecologist was convicted Thursday on 5 of 21 charges alleging various forms of sexual abuse, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office said in a statement.
James Heaps, 65, was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault by fraud and two counts of sexual penetration of an unconscious person, according to the release.
He was acquitted of three counts of sexual assault by fraud, three counts of sexual penetration of an unconscious person and one count of sexual exploitation of a patient, and a mistrial was declared on 10 other counts, they said. The defendant will remain in custody until sentencing, his attorney Leonard Levin said.
The alleged abuse occurred when Heaps was working part-time at the student health center from about 1983 to 2010 and was hired by UCLA Health in 2014, UCLA previously said. He was originally indicted in 2019 and then indicted by a grand jury in 2021 on charges of sexual misconduct between 2009 and 2018, the district attorney’s office said.
While “it is disappointing” that Heaps has not been found guilty on all counts, the district attorney’s office can appeal, said Jeanette Meyers, deputy deputy director of the airport branch. She also applauded the victims for coming forward and sharing their experiences.
Nicole Gumpert, one of the victims in the criminal case, said that while she is disappointed by the mixed verdict, coming forward was important for her “psychological, emotional and spiritual health and well-being.”
“I am here to put a face and a voice to the horrible abuse of Dr. Heaps and to say to you, survivors, do not let anything stop you from coming forward just because our road has been long and arduous,” Gumpert told a conference. press release after the verdict.
“It’s a relief that he’s going behind bars today,” said a woman who gave her name as Julie and was involved in civil litigation. “The fear that he was out there, you know the dates happened a while ago, but the terror is still with you.”
Levin said they plan to request a new trial for Heaps.
“We are, of course, disappointed with the verdict and the guilty verdicts that were handed down,” he said. “We are pleased with the not guilty verdicts, and we hope the public understands that there are significant issues and rulings that the court made that we believe had an effect on the jury.”
On Thursday, UCLA Health said they are thankful for the patients who have come forward.
“Sexual misconduct of any kind is reprehensible and intolerable,” they said in a statement. “Our top priority is providing the highest quality care and ensuring that patients feel safe, secure and respected.”
Heaps is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 17 and could face between 21 and 28 years in prison, prosecutors said.
In February 2022, the University of California system reached a $243.6 million settlement with more than two hundred people who allege they were sexually abused by former UCLA obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. James Heaps. according to a statement from university officials and attorneys for the plaintiffs.
After his arrest, many women came forward and accused Heaps of wrongdoing.
As part of the settlement, the university agreed to pay 203 plaintiffs who brought civil cases against Heaps in Los Angeles Superior Court alleging sexual misconduct, according to the joint statement.
The settlement was reached “after substantial litigation” and “achieved with the assistance of a private mediator,” the joint statement said.
The settlement is separate from another reached in November 2020, when the university system agreed to pay $73 million to those who alleged Heaps sexually abused them.
