A comprehensive 93-page complaint recently filed in federal court has ignited a firestorm of allegations against Dr. Scott Lee, a 70-year-old OB-GYN accused of sexually harassing and physically abusing inmates at the California Institution for Women (CIW). The lawsuit alleges that these heinous acts took place between 2016 and 2023 while Dr. Lee served as the sole gynecologist at the facility. Brought forth as a class-action suit, the complaint represents "hundreds and potentially thousands" of individuals who are either currently or formerly incarcerated at CIW, highlighting a grim pattern of mistreatment under the guise of medical care.
The plaintiffs detail disturbing accounts of Dr. Lee's alleged misconduct, including invasive pelvic exams, pap smears, and biopsies conducted without consent or adequate explanation. Some individuals reported being forced to undergo these procedures despite expressing discomfort or pain. Additionally, Dr. Lee allegedly made inappropriate and sexualized comments during examinations, further compounding the trauma experienced by his patients.
Reports from the lawsuit paint a vivid picture of Dr. Lee's retaliatory behavior towards those who dared to voice complaints about his conduct. One plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe 6, recounted an incident where Dr. Lee inappropriately touched her and became aggressive when she refused a pelvic exam. Similarly, Jane Doe 4 described a distressing encounter where Dr. Lee digitally penetrated her in a "sexualized and aggressive manner" while she was seven-and-a-half months pregnant.
"One of the most powerful things about this case is that one woman went cell-to-cell asking people about their experiences, and what she found was a pattern of abuse," said Colby Lenz.
The lawsuit also underscores how Dr. Lee allegedly denied patients necessary medical supplies, such as a breast pump and postpartum pads, further exacerbating their suffering. In 2022, he was reported to the Medical Board of California for allegedly sexually abusing a pregnant patient and delaying her transport to a hospital during labor.
"This was advocacy on the inside and a lot of survivors coming together to take a stand and make sure others wouldn’t be victimized by him," Lenz added.
The complaint sheds light on a broader systemic issue within the prison healthcare system, where inmates often face limited options for medical care. Yashna Eswaran emphasized the coercive nature of this system.
“For so many of these people, their gynecological care was conditioned upon being abused,” stated Yashna Eswaran.
"If they refused treatment from him because they felt unsafe, they didn’t get to see another provider," Eswaran continued.
The chilling accounts in the lawsuit reveal the lengths to which some individuals went to avoid Dr. Lee's alleged abuse, even if it meant forgoing essential medical care.
“It was really hard for people to come forward,” Eswaran remarked.
“People heard about what he’d done and were terrified. They chose to deprive themselves of gynecological care just to keep themselves safe from sexual abuse,” noted Jenny Huang.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) has yet to comment specifically on the claims levied against Dr. Lee in the lawsuit. This legal action follows a recent conviction of a former guard at another California women's prison for 64 counts of sexual abuse against incarcerated women, suggesting systemic issues within the state's correctional facilities.