Hospitals hit with more sex-abuse lawsuits over convicted OBGYN

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(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Six more lawsuits have been filed by women who say they were victims of sexual abuse by an OBGYN who is now in an Illinois prison.

Now 75 years old, Fabio Ortega was an obstetrician-gynecologist, and he pleaded guilty last fall to the aggravated criminal sexual abuse of two patients.

Illinois state records indicate Ortega is up for parole in October.

Ortega worked in the NorthShore University Health System and for Swedish Covenant Hospital.

Those institutions have just been hit with six more lawsuits. In all, attorneys say there are 15 pending lawsuits against both institutions, while six other lawsuits have been settled.

The NorthShore University Health System issued the following statement: "Since this is a pending legal matter, we are unable to comment on any individual claims. We take such matters seriously and have thorough processes in place to review and respond to any such patient allegations."

WBBM reached out to Swedish Covenant Hospital for response.