Robert Haddad, MD, the head of the Massachusetts Catholic hospital system Caritas, has been forced to resign after allegations surfaced that he has sexually harassed more than 14 women. Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley had at first decided to only privately reprimand Dr. Haddad after four women employees accused Haddad of sexual harassment, despite the recommendation of Helen Drinan, Caritas’ senior vice president for human resources, that Haddad be fired, according to the Boston Globe. After a Globe story brought more than ten additional women forward with sexual harassment allegations, O’Malley called an emergency meeting of the hospital board last night. The board voted to fire Haddad, but gave him the option of resigning and receiving ten months of salary and benefits, believed to be worth approximately $830,000, according to the Globe.
The women have accused Haddad of inappropriately touching, hugging, and kissing them, which Haddad claims is part of his Lebanese heritage, according to the Globe.
