US Department of Justice to Pay $138 Million in Compensation to Victims of Abusive Doctor
Larry Nassar Agrees to Pay $138.7 Million to Victims in Settlement
Former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar has agreed to pay $138.7 million to his victims in a settlement with the Justice Department. This settlement resolves legal claims related to the failure of the investigation that could have brought Nassar to justice sooner and prevented many instances of abuse.
Nassar, who is currently serving a prison sentence of more than 300 years for sexual abuse crimes committed at international sports events and Michigan State University, has been at the center of one of the largest sexual abuse scandals in US sports history. The agreement reached with the Justice Department marks the conclusion of the latest case involving Nassar’s victims.
Acting Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer emphasized the importance of taking victims’ allegations seriously from the beginning. The settlement amount will be paid out to hundreds of victims, adding to the millions already paid by the state of Michigan and the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee in previous settlements.
The Department of Justice’s report highlighted the shortcomings of the FBI’s initial investigation into Nassar in 2015, stating that it paved the way for further abuses. FBI Director Christopher Wray expressed regret over the delays in bringing Nassar to justice and acknowledged the victimization that resulted from these delays.
The resolution of the Larry Nassar case comes after years of legal battles and advocacy by the victims. The settlement serves as a form of justice for those who were subjected to Nassar’s abuse and a step towards accountability for all parties involved in allowing the abuses to continue for so long.
