James M. Heaps

James M. Heaps is a former UCLA Health obstetrician-gynecologist who faces criminal charges and civil lawsuits alleging he sexually assaulted and harassed patients during medical appointments.[1] Dr. Heaps practiced medicine for over 30 years[2] before he retired from UCLA Health in June 2018.[3] In May 22, 2019, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office charged Dr. Heaps with two felony counts of sexual battery by fraud and one felony count of sexual exploitation involving two former patients.[4] [2]

Education and career

Starting in February 2014, Dr. Heaps was employed at UCLA Health.[2] In 2016, he was one of the highest paid University of California employees, with an annual seven-figure salary.[5] In June 2018, UCLA announced Dr. Heaps’ immediate retirement in a letter to patients.[1]

Allegations of sexual assault and harassment

In 2014, Dr. Heaps was investigated by the state medical board as well as UCLA following a complaint.[6] A 2015 Yelp review alleged that Dr. Heaps inappropriately touched a patient's breast. UCLA Health acknowledged publicly that medical system officials were aware of the 2015 Yelp review but did not reach out to the victim or inform police.[7] In December 2017, following a complaint from a patient, UCLA opened a Title IX investigation into Dr. Heaps. UCLA allowed Dr. Heaps to continue seeing patients for six more months.[8]

In June 2018, UCLA sent a letter to patients announcing with “mixed emotions” that Dr. Heaps was retiring.[6] A year later, on May 22, 2019, Dr. Heaps was charged by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office.[4] Heaps surrendered to law enforcement and was released on his own recognizance.[9]

UCLA response

In December 2017, following a complaint from a patient, UCLA opened a Title IX investigation into Dr. Heaps’ alleged misconduct, which took two years to complete. The report concluded that an exam he conducted “amounted to sexual assault and harassment.”[8]Once criminal charges were filed, UCLA dedicated a page on its website with information on Dr. Heaps’ investigation and allegations, along with other resources for patients. UCLA tracks the number of individuals who have contacted them about Dr. Heaps, and whether those individuals have expressed support or concern about their interactions with Dr. Heaps.[2] UCLA reached a $2.25 million settlement with one patient in June 2019, as well as a separate $1.3 million settlement in March 2019 to settle her complaint that Heaps committed sexual harassment and retaliated against her for participating in an investigation about him.[6]

References
  1. Garcia, Sandra E. (2019-06-12). "Former U.C.L.A. Gynecologist Charged With Sexual Battery". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  2. "Investigation of Dr. James Heaps - UCLA Health - Los Angeles, CA". www.uclahealth.org. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  3. Garcia, Sandra E. (2019-06-12). "Former U.C.L.A. Gynecologist Charged With Sexual Battery". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  4. "A Former UCLA Gynecologist Has Been Charged With Sexually Abusing At Least Two Patients". BuzzFeed News. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  5. REESE, PHILLIP (28 August 2017). "All 35 of the University of California's highest-paid employees in 2016 were men". Sacramento Bee.
  6. "UCLA knew of doctor sex abuse allegation in 2014 but didn't fire him for four years". Los Angeles Times. 2019-07-11. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  7. "The Latest: UCLA did not report sexual assault post on Yelp". AP NEWS. 2019-06-11. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  8. "Former UCLA Health gynecologist's behavior with patient constituted sexual assault, report finds". Los Angeles Times. 2019-12-06. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  9. "UCLA rocked by charges that former staff gynecologist sexually abused patients". Los Angeles Times. 2019-06-11. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
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