Disgraced American gynecologist, James Heaps sentenced to 11 years for sexually abusing patients

May 2024 · 2 minute read

This week, a University of Los Angeles, California gynecologist, Dr. James Heaps, 66, received a sentence of 11 years in prison for sexually abusing patients. He was convicted last year of three counts of sexual battery by fraud and two counts of sexual penetration of two patients. Upon his release, Heaps will also be mandated to register as a sex offender.

Formerly one of UCLA hospital’s highest-paid employees, Heaps was arrested in 2019 following allegations from multiple patients regarding groping, lewd comments, and unnecessary invasive examinations. It was discovered that complaints about his behavior had gone unaddressed until a formal investigation was initiated by the university’s Title IX office in late 2017.

Heaps, who had treated over 6,000 patients throughout his career, continued practicing until June 2018, when UCLA declined to renew his contract and brought the allegations to the attention of the police. He was subsequently charged with 21 felonies involving the sexual assaults of seven women between 2009 and 2018, though he was found not guilty of seven of the counts by the jury.

Subsequently, hundreds of his victims sued UCLA, claiming that their complaints were ignored and rumors of Heaps’ abuse were stifled at the student health center, the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, and his campus office. Ultimately, the university paid nearly $700 million to over 300 victims.

Appearing in court in an orange jumpsuit, Heaps did not address the court after his sentence was read. After the proceedings, one of the plaintiffs, Ellen Carter, expressed hope that the settlement by UCLA and the sentencing would encourage victims of sexual assault to come forward, adding, “Now the healing can begin.”


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