Multiple lawsuits have been filed against former gynecologist Dr. Scott Lee and the California prison system for allegedly sexually abusing women who were incarcerated at the California Institution for Women; additional allegations claim that prison officials knew about the sexual assaults and abuse but failed to stop it.
Why the Case Against Dr. Lee and the Medical Facilities Matters
The allegations of sexual abuse against Dr. Scott Lee, a former gynecologist at the California Institution for Women (CIW), have shed light on a serious problem: the treatment of vulnerable populations. Women are a vulnerable population. Incarcerated persons are a vulnerable population. And those who need healthcare services are a vulnerable population. But when you combine them, you create a serious situation in which danger has many entrances to choose from. From 2016 to 2023, Dr. Lee allegedly exploited this superstorm of vulnerabilities when he subjected female inmates to sexual abuse and sexual assault during gynecological exams.
This case raises urgent concerns about medical misconduct, prison oversight, and institutional failures that allowed a doctor to operate unchecked for years.
Unlike civilians, incarcerated individuals have no choice in their medical providers and are required to receive treatment under prison rules; they cannot deny a routine exam or procedure in most cases. This is to ensure that the inmates are healthy and that diseases and contagions are caught quickly. But it also means that when a prisoner, male or female, is being abused, they often cannot deny services.
The allegations against Dr. Lee and all medical abuse allegations are particularly troubling, given the power imbalance between prison medical staff and vulnerable inmates.
These requirements and the power imbalance make it difficult for survivors to report abuse without fear of retaliation or disbelief.
The lawsuits against Dr. Lee and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) aim to hold both the former gynecologist and the prison system accountable for the harm they have caused the plaintiffs in this case.
These brave survivors are demanding justice not only for themselves but also for other incarcerated women who may have experienced—or are experiencing right now—similar sexual abuse.
Who is Dr. Scott Lee?
Dr. Scott Lee is a 70-year-old physician who worked for seven years as the sole full-time gynecologist at the California Institution for Women (CIW) in San Bernardino County, California. CIW is a high-security women’s prison that houses individuals serving long-term and life sentences. Since these women will be spending decades or the rest of their lives in this prison, routine medical procedures, like gynecological exams, are necessary in a prison setting; Dr. Lee was responsible for the routine reproductive healthcare at CIW, including pelvic exams, cervical cancer screenings, and other medical procedures.
Before working at CIW, Dr. Lee had no reported history of misconduct in public medical practice. However, his tenure at CIW was marked by numerous complaints from inmates, many of which were allegedly ignored or dismissed by prison officials. His position of power allowed him to act with little oversight, leading to the serious allegations outlined in recent lawsuits.
Allegations of Sexual Abuse Against Dr. Scott Lee
How Many Victims Have Come Forward?
As of March 2025, six women have filed a federal lawsuit against Dr. Lee, which includes disturbing accounts of sexual abuse that allegedly took place during medical examinations at CIW. These women, along with the California Coalition for Women Prisoners, claim that Dr. Lee engaged in:
- Unnecessary gynecological procedures
- Invasive and unnecessarily long gynecological exams
- Sexualized comments and inappropriate behavior
- Retaliation against inmates who resisted or spoke out
Given the prison setting and the power imbalance between doctors and inmates, experts believe that many more victims likely exist. Fear of retaliation, loss of privileges, or disbelief by prison officials often prevents incarcerated individuals from coming forward.
One of the plaintiffs, Maria Rodriguez, stated in an interview that she avoided medical visits for years out of fear of being alone with Dr. Lee.
Another survivor, Jane Doe #3, described a pelvic exam that left her feeling violated and powerless, stating:
“I knew something was wrong, but when you’re in prison, they make you feel like you have no rights. If you refuse a medical exam, they say you’re non-compliant. If you complain, they ignore you.”
This pattern of institutional silencing is at the heart of the lawsuit against Dr. Lee and CDCR.
Why Are Prisoner Complaints So Often Ignored?
Prisoner complaints, especially from vulnerable populations like incarcerated women, often go ignored due to power imbalances, lack of oversight, fear of retribution, and systemic negligence.
Many prisons operate with a culture of silence, where staff prioritize institutional reputation over inmate safety. When women report sexual abuse, they may be dismissed, labeled as unreliable, or even punished for speaking out. This fear of retaliation discourages many victims from coming forward, allowing abuse to persist unchecked.
There is also a culture of protection within prison systems. Correctional officers (aka prison guards) form a bond similar to that of soldiers in combat or police officers due to the dangerous nature of their jobs. This makes it much more likely that they will back each other's stories rather than side with a prisoner.
Likewise, correctional officers, prison employees, and upper-level administrators also have a desire to maintain their institution's reputation due to fear of lost funding, disciplinary actions, or termination.
The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) was created to protect inmates from sexual violence, but enforcement is often weak. Many facilities lack independent reporting mechanisms, meaning complaints are handled internally by the same officials who may have inflicted, ignored, or enabled the misconduct in the first place.
In cases like Dr. Scott Lee’s, women allegedly tried to report their abuse for years but found their concerns brushed aside or lost in bureaucratic inaction. Without external accountability, prison staff can easily suppress or downplay allegations, leaving victims without justice.
Women in prison face unique vulnerabilities, including dependence on prison medical staff for care. If a doctor like Dr. Lee exploits this power, victims may feel trapped—refusing an exam could lead to disciplinary action, while reporting abuse could result in retaliation or disbelief. The system is designed to control inmates, making it nearly impossible for them to challenge authority figures without severe consequences.
This systemic failure is exactly why lawsuits against abusers and negligent institutions are so critical in exposing these injustices.
The Lawsuits Against Dr. Lee and the California Department of Corrections
The legal action against Dr. Scott Lee consists of both civil lawsuits and potential criminal charges:
Is There A Civil Lawsuit Against Dr. Scott Lee?
Yes, in February 2025, six former inmates and the California Coalition for Women Prisoners filed a federal lawsuit in the Central District of California. The suit accuses Dr. Lee of sexual abuse, medical malpractice, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Is There A Lawsuit Against the California Department of Corrections?
Yes, there is a lawsuit that implicates CDCR and CIW officials, alleging that they ignored or failed to investigate repeated complaints about Dr. Lee’s behavior.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is rightfully facing serious scrutiny for failing to enforce the Prison Rape Elimination Act and for generally failing to protect their wards from violent sexual abuse and retaliation.
If the prison system ignored or mishandled complaints, it could face federal oversight, loss of funding, and additional legal liability for violating inmates' rights and failing to protect them from harm. This would also mean that the state of California would have to compensate victims if it is found to be partly liable.
Has Dr. Scott Lee’s Medical License Been Revoked?
No. As of now, there is no information indicating that Dr. Scott Lee's medical license has been revoked. Despite facing a civil lawsuit alleging sexual abuse of incarcerated women at the California Institution for Women for seven years (2016 and 2023), his license remains active.
It's important to note that the status of medical licenses can change, and the process to revoke his license by the Medical Board of California could very well be underway and we just don’t know it yet.
Have Criminal Charges Been Filed Against Dr. Scott Lee?
No, criminal charges against alleged sexual abuser Doctor Scott Lee have not been filed as of March 2025, and there is no public information indicating that the California Department of Justice or any District Attorney's office is currently pursuing criminal charges.
To be clear, civil lawsuits handle claims of misconduct and seek compensation for damages (medical bills, pain and suffering, etc.); they do not equate to criminal charges, which are pursued by state or federal prosecutors and can result in criminal penalties like incarceration. Ahh, sweet irony.
However, it's important to note that the absence of public information about a criminal investigation does not necessarily mean that it is not underway. Investigations are almost always conducted secretly until authorities are ready to file charges or make a public statement to prevent the loss of evidence or witnesses.
Key Allegations in the Lawsuits Against Dr. Lee and CDCR
Sexual Abuse and Misconduct: The lawsuits accuse Dr. Lee of inappropriate physical contact, sexualized comments, and coercive medical procedures. Some women claim he deliberately prolonged pelvic exams, making them feel violated and humiliated.
Unnecessary and Inappropriate Medical Examinations: According to the plaintiffs, Dr. Lee regularly conducted invasive exams without medical justification. This includes excessive internal examinations and pelvic procedures unrelated to their medical complaints.
Medical Malpractice: The lawsuit asserts that Dr. Lee’s conduct violated standard medical ethics and care. Gynecologists are required to obtain informed consent before performing intimate examinations, but several women claim that Dr. Lee failed to explain or justify his procedures even when they directly asked.
Breach of Duty of Care: Physicians are required to prioritize patient safety, but Dr. Lee allegedly abused his position for personal gratification, breaching his duty of care to vulnerable patients.
Negligent Hiring, Retention, and Oversight: CDCR is accused of failing to properly supervise Dr. Lee, despite multiple warning signs.
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: Many victims reported psychological trauma, including anxiety, PTSD, and depression, stemming from their experiences with Dr. Lee.
Negligence: The overarching government department—the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation—and the prison itself—the California Institution for Women—were both made aware of the complaints against Dr. Lee yet failed to act on numerous complaints. If this is true, and it will be simple to check, their negligence allowed Dr. Lee’s abuse to continue for years.
What Are The Chances There Are Many More Victims?
The CDCR and CIW medical staff are accused of failing to act on numerous complaints, which allegedly allowed Dr. Lee’s abuse to continue for years. This easily falls under the category of negligence since their silence and inaction helped Doctor Scott Lee to abuse these women, and a simple escalation of a complaint or an anonymous report would have prevented many years of suffering, and god knows how many women from being victimized.
Remember, just because only six when have come forward, there are likely many, many more since Dr. Lee was the only gynecologist at CIW for seven years.
Let's do some math.
The California Institute for Women (CIW) houses between 1,200 and 1,700 female inmates at any given time. Let's be generous and go with the lowest number: 1,200.
Most women only see their gynecologist once a year. However, since women in prisons are often exposed to unsanitary conditions and a lack of control of their laundry, let's be generous and say the average female inmate needs to see a gynecologist twice per year.
That means, on average, Dr. Lee would have likely seen about 2,400 patients per year or 6.6 patients a day.
Using these hypothetical numbers, in the seven years Dr. Lee worked there, he would have seen 16,800 women.
How likely is it that Dr. Scott Lee only sexually abused 6 women and left the other 16,716 women alone?
What Happens Next?
The civil lawsuit is moving forward, and legal experts predict that CDCR could face significant financial penalties if found liable. If criminal charges are filed against Dr. Lee, he could face prison time for his alleged abuse.
What Legal Options Do Survivors Have?
Victims of medical sexual abuse, or institutional sexual abuse in general, should learn their rights and legal options, regardless of the setting. This is not only about women in jail or prison; it's about all women who are susceptible to sexual abuse in medical settings, among many other places, and the need to stand up to it.
- Filing a Civil Lawsuit – Victims can seek monetary damages for medical bills, therapy costs, emotional distress, and pain and suffering.
- Participating in the Criminal Case – Victims should always report the crime to the police. If criminal charges are filed, a cooperating witness can make a huge difference in whether the perpetrator is convicted or not.
- Filing a Federal Human Rights Complaint – If the abuse occurs in a federally regulated institution, like a prison, SA survivors can file a civil rights complaint against the facility.
Are Medical Sexual Abuse Survivors Entitled to Compensation?
Yes. Medical sexual abuse survivors may be eligible for compensation. This usually includes:
- Medical and psychological treatment – Survivors of sexual abuse may require ongoing medical care, therapy, and trauma counseling to address both physical and emotional harm caused by the abuse. These costs can be recovered in a personal injury lawsuit to ensure victims receive the care they need in the future and aren't stuck with bills from the past.
- Pain and suffering – This includes emotional distress, PTSD, depression, and other mental health challenges resulting from the abuse. Courts often recognize the long-term effects of trauma and may award compensation to help victims rebuild their lives. The reason this is compensated monetarily is because conditions like depression and PTSD cost sufferers real money due to missed work, prescriptions, daycare, and the list goes on forever.
- Punitive damages against CDCR for negligence – If the court finds that CDCR ignored complaints, failed to investigate allegations, or allowed the abuse to continue, the judge may award punitive damages to the plaintiffs. These damages serve as a financial punishment for systemic failures and as a deterrent for other similar institutions.
Confidential Consultation with a Trusted Medical and Sexual Abuse Attorney
If you or a loved one experienced abuse by a medical professional in a prison or institutional setting, you have legal options. Our firm specializes in cases involving sexual abuse, medical abuse, and institutional negligence.
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