Harvard University has agreed to pay $53 million to settle claims stemming from the theft and sale of body parts donated for scientific research, with a Boston court giving preliminary approval to the plan on Tuesday, US media reported.
Cedric Lodge, who managed the morgue at Harvard Medical School before being fired in 2023, was sentenced to eight years in prison in December after pleading guilty to trafficking stolen human remains.
Investigators said Lodge and his wife took body parts from the school "without the knowledge or permission of his employer, the donor, or the donor's family" and shipped them to buyers in other states beginning in 2018.
Harvard said on Monday it would seek court approval to establish "two class action settlement funds totaling $53 million."
"We are grateful to be working together with the plaintiffs to move forward in a way that prioritizes support for families and the (organ donation program) and avoids prolonged litigation," Harvard Medical School Dean George Daley and Dean for Medical Education Bernard Chang said in a letter.
They described Lodge's actions as "despicable, abhorrent, and a flagrant betrayal of our values as a medical community."
"We reaffirm our deep sorrow and empathy for the families of donors who may have been impacted," they said.
Settlement includes reforms
A Boston state court judge granted preliminary approval to the settlement plan on Tuesday, according to US media. Harvard said distributing the funds is expected to take several months.
Lodge's wife, Denise, was previously sentenced to one year in prison. Six other people who bought remains from Lodge also pleaded guilty and received sentences.
Harvard Medical School will establish an annual financial aid scholarship beginning in the 2027-28 academic year "in appreciation and in honor of all of our anatomical donors."
The settlement also includes a pledge by the school to issue a statement to claimant families condemning Lodge's actions and outlining improvements made to its organ donation programme.
