OB-GYN accused of sexually abusing patients for over three decades

UPDATE: It was incorrectly reported that Dr. David Broadbent worked for MountainStar. Court documents stated that he was affiliated with the company and MountainStar clarified for KSL that Broadbent has a private practice and does not work for MountainStar but has privileges at their hospital. MountainStar is named in the lawsuit. KSL TV regrets the error.

PROVO, Utah — David H. Broadbent, an OB-GYN based out of Provo, is being accused of sexually abusing and battering multiple women over the course of three decades in his position as a trusted medical professional. Four women have filed a complaint against Broadbent alleging that he took advantage of his position and the patients’ vulnerability as he abused that trust and sexually abused them.

Broadbent owns his own practice as an OB-GYN in Provo since the 1980s but has privileges at the MountainStar hospital, which was also named in the court documents.

According to court documents, “Between 1996 and 2018, each of Plaintiffs presented to Broadbent, the closest OB/GYN to their Provo apartments, and instead of receiving the medical care they sought, were sexually abused.”

The documents allege that many of the women trusted Broadbent in a position of authority as their doctor and didn’t know to question the methods, as he reassured them they were necessary.

Court documents state, “In each instance, plaintiffs felt horrible and violated, but Broadbent concealed his sexual misconduct under the guise of medically necessary care and hid behind the protected position of authority and trust inherently given to physicians. In doing so, Broadbent created enough doubt and uncertainty in the minds of plaintiffs and his other victims to prevent them from recognizing his sexual misconduct for what it was.”

In December 2021, two women discussed their experiences in Broadbent’s office over a podcast, and other women began to come forward with their experiences. Many of the women’s statements explain that when they heard the podcast they realized that what they experienced in Broadbent’s office was “not part of a medically necessary exam, but unlawful actions Broadbent performed for no other reason than his own sexual gratification.”

Broadbent’s office is located near two college campuses of Brigham Young University and Utah Valley University.

“For years, Broadbent conducted this scheme from his University Avenue office, feet from thousands of young women with little or no prior experience with OB/GYN appointments — who had no understanding of what was “normal” or medically necessary — and used his profession and their innocence to prey on them,” court documents state.

A quick look at his google reviews shows a number of women and men who report he has mistreated patients.

One Google review states, “Not to be trusted! Do not send your wife, girlfriend, or any loved ones here. He violates their rights and doesn’t communicate properly when touching patients! The board needs to investigate.”

MountainStar Healthcare released the following statement:

“We sympathize with and fully support any individuals in the recently filed lawsuit who may have experienced this alleged behavior at the physician’s private clinic in Provo. Like hundreds of other physicians who practice privately in our community, this physician is not employed by any MountainStar hospital. Over the years, this physician has seen a small number of patients at one of our facilities each year; however, to our knowledge, there are no allegations of inappropriate conduct at our facility. The physician is not currently authorized to see patients at our facility. While we empathize with the people involved, we believe we were inappropriately named in this lawsuit and we will defend ourselves accordingly.”

Attorneys for the plaintiffs from Gross & Rooney are hoping to generate awareness about this complaint to empower other victims to come forward.