Ex-UCLA doctor pleads not guilty to sex abuse

LOS ANGELES (AP) A former University of California, Los Angeles gynecologist has pleaded not guilty to sexually abusing two patients.

Dr. James Heaps entered the pleas Monday to two counts of sexual battery by fraud and one count of sexual exploitation of a patient. He was released without bail.

UCLA says Heaps worked part-time at the student health clinic from 1983 to 2010. His attorney, Tracy Green, says UCLA Health later bought his private practice and he became a contract employee.

She says the patient allegations involve two women who weren't UCLA students but went to his clinic in 2017 and 2018.

UCLA says it moved to fire him last year but he retired.

The case recalls similar allegations made by hundreds of former and current University of Southern California students against a former gynecologist there. Dr. George Tyndall has denied wrongdoing and hasn't been criminally charged.