In the 1980s, law enforcement and health officials in New York started receiving numerous complaints regarding sexual abuse from young patients of a reputable pediatrician, Stuart Copperman, operating from his basement office in Merrick, Long Island. Despite the gravity of the allegations, no criminal charges were filed against Copperman at that time. It wasn’t until 2000 when he was nearing retirement at the age of 65 that his medical license was revoked due to these complaints.
Decades later, over 100 of his former patients have received some measure of justice. A court order has mandated Copperman to pay a staggering $1.6 billion in total to his victims. The Rev. Debbi Rhodes, one of the recipients who was awarded $25 million, expressed mixed feelings of relief and frustration upon the resolution of the litigation in March at the state Supreme Court. “I’m not sure if he’s facing the justice he deserves since he eluded accountability for so long,” Rhodes, a 63-year-old Episcopal priest from Las Vegas, stated. “But for a court to affirm, ‘I believe you’– that’s potent validation.” Attempts to reach Copperman’s long-time attorney for comments have been unsuccessful.
Throughout, Copperman has consistently denied all allegations, maintaining that his examinations were merely “thorough,” a claim disputed by former patients who recount the invasive examinations occurring in the absence of their parents. Despite filing complaints over the years, no criminal charges were pursued against him due to statute limitations, until the introduction of New York’s Child Victims Act in 2019. This law created a temporary window for people to file lawsuits related to childhood sexual abuse incidents that occurred long before.
The extensive litigation culminated in one of the most significant financial judgments against a single individual in the country, according to the women’s attorneys. Kristen Gibbons Feden, a legal representative from Philadelphia, emphasized that “these women can no longer be ignored after decades of being silenced.” Copperman’s consistent non-response to legal actions led to a Long Island court ruling in favor of the women, with some referees openly supporting the women’s claims when calculating damages.
For instance, in April 2024, William Bodkin awarded $27 million to a woman labeled as “Jane Doe T.A.,” highlighting the deep-seated psychological impacts of the abuse. Similarly, Rhodes received a $25 million judgment in December 2024, acknowledging the despicable nature of Copperman’s conduct. By March 28, the last of the 104 awards had been issued, ranging from $500,000 to $32 million, as stated by Michael Della, an attorney based on Long Island supporting the women.
While these women also filed lawsuits against local hospitals and healthcare networks, those claims were eventually dropped. Rhodes, like many other victims, recounted regular abuse during what were supposed to be pediatric check-ups beginning when she was just seven years old. This trauma contributed to subsequent struggles with eating disorders and substance abuse during her youth. Today, Rhodes discusses her past openly, integrating her experience into her work supporting prison inmates through her ministry. Despite lingering mental health issues, she aims to foster an environment free from shame.
One of the other awardees, who remained anonymous and received a $27 million judgment, acknowledged the emotional difficulty of revisiting past trauma but found some solace in finally being heard. Identified as “Jane Doe A.W.,” she remarked, “There is relief in knowing people now grasp the true extent of his actions.” Attorneys for the claimants have hired a collections specialist to pursue compensation from Copperman. However, due to Copperman’s advanced age, now 89 and residing in South Florida, Rhodes and others have come to terms with the likelihood that they may not see the financial compensation they were awarded.
“I’m uncertain of what justice ultimately means, even if I received a million dollars tomorrow,” Rhodes reflected. “This is about empowering other women to ensure their voices are heard. For a long time, I felt disbelieved. It is essential never to remain silent– speak your truth.”