FBI’s mishandling of the Nassar charges leads to a $138.7 million settlement
Settlement brings victims’ total payout to over $1 billion.
More than 100 people claimed that the FBI seriously mishandled their allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, leaving a crucial window of opportunity for the sports doctor to prey on victims before his arrest. On Tuesday, the US Justice Department announced a $138.7 million settlement with these individuals.
Several organizations have now put aside around $1 billion, when added to previous agreements, to pay hundreds of women who said Nassar molested them while treating sports injuries.
In addition to working at Michigan State University, Nassar was a team physician for USA Gymnastics, an Indianapolis-based organization. He is currently incarcerated for decades for abusing female athletes, including Olympic gymnasts who have won medals.
The Department of Justice has admitted that it should have intervened sooner. An internal inquiry discovered that FBI agents in Indianapolis and Los Angeles were aware of the accusations made against him for more than a year, but they seemingly did nothing about it.
During a Senate hearing in 2021, FBI Director Christopher Wray addressed survivors with remorse and candor. The honored Olympians Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, and McKayla Maroney are among the assault survivors.
Wray apologized for repeatedly letting you down on so many different occasions. “And I apologize especially to those FBI employees who had a chance to stop this monster back in 2015 but were unable to do so.”
Following a search, authorities said in 2016 that they had discovered photos of child sex assault, and they went on to file federal charges against Nassar. Separately, the assault allegations that eventually startled the sports community were handled by the Michigan attorney general’s office. This resulted in an amazing sentencing hearing that lasted several days and featured compelling testimony regarding his misdeeds.
“I am really appreciative. Accountability with the Justice Department has been long overdue, according to Louisville, Kentucky resident Rachael Denhollander, who was the first to come forward publicly and expose Nassar’s abuse. She is not a party to the most recent settlement.
According to Denhollander, “the unfortunate reality is that most survivors never see what we are seeing today,” as reported by the Associated Press. “Most victims never experience responsibility. The majority of survivors never experience justice. Most survivors never receive compensation.
More than 300 women and girls who were abused received $500 million from Michigan State University, which was also charged with passing up opportunities to stop Nassar over a long period of time. The US Olympic and Paralympic Committee and USA Gymnastics reached a $380 million settlement.