Justice Department Settles with Nassar Victims
In a significant development, the U.S. Justice Department has announced a substantial $138.7 million civil settlement with the victims of Larry Nassar, the disgraced former USA Gymnastics doctor currently serving a lengthy prison sentence for sexual abuse. This settlement aims to address the claims that the FBI mishandled the initial investigation into Nassar’s conduct.
Acting U.S. Associate Attorney General Benjamin Mizer expressed regret over the initial response to the allegations against Nassar, acknowledging that the claims “should have been taken seriously from the outset.” Mizer conveyed his hope that the settlement would provide “critical support” for the healing process of those affected by Nassar’s crimes.
Nassar, who was the primary doctor for Olympic gymnasts for nearly two decades, faced multiple convictions, resulting in prison sentences totaling more than a century for his crimes, which included possession of child sex abuse material and the molestation of female gymnasts.
The settlement comes after public criticism from high-profile athletes, including Olympic gold medalists Simone Biles and McKayla Maroney, who denounced the FBI for its inadequate handling of the investigation. The settlement encompasses 139 claims, spotlighting the FBI’s failure to act on evidence presented in 2015, which purportedly allowed Nassar to continue his sexual abuse until his arrest in 2016.
Attorneys representing 77 of the Larry Nassar victims praised the settlement as “monumental,” emphasizing that it not only provides compensation but also holds the DOJ and FBI accountable for their investigative shortcomings. A 2021 report by the Justice Department’s inspector general highlighted serious errors by the FBI, including delays in interviewing potential victims and documenting those interviews. Despite these findings, the Justice Department decided against filing criminal charges against the agents involved in 2022, upholding an earlier decision not to prosecute.
The resolution of these claims marks a pivotal moment of acknowledgment and restitution for the survivors, as they continue their journey towards healing and justice.
