Three Dartmouth Professors Part of Criminal Investigation On Serious Sexual Misconduct

The New York Times reported Tuesday that three Dartmouth College professors -- Todd Heatherton, Bill Kelley, and Paul Whalen, all professors in the college's department of psychological and brain sciences -- are being criminally investigated for alleged sexual misconduct. New Hampshire Attorney General Gordon MacDonald said in a statement Tuesday that his office is part of a joint criminal investigation with four other law enforcement agencies into allegations of “serious misconduct.”

The professors, whose research has included studies of sexual desire and attractiveness, were put on paid leave. Although very popular among students and colleagues, some members of the Dartmouth community expressed concerns that the college has been conducting its own investigation for some time and potentially leaving students at risk. Access to the campus by the professors under investigation is prohibited.