The US Department of Justice announced a $138.7 million settlement with over 100 individuals who accused the FBI of mishandling sexual assault allegations against Larry Nassar in a critical time frame, allowing the sports doctor to continue abusing victims before his arrest. Nassar, who worked at Michigan State University and as a team doctor for USA Gymnastics, is serving time in prison for assaulting female athletes, including Olympic gymnasts.
The settlements, combined with others, total $1 billion to compensate hundreds of women who were victims of Nassar. Acting Deputy Attorney General Benjamin Mizer stated that Nassar’s betrayal of trust should have been taken seriously from the beginning, and while the settlements cannot erase the harm inflicted, they aim to provide victims with some support for healing.
FBI Director Christopher Wray expressed regret for the agency’s failure to act on the allegations against Nassar in 2015 and apologized to survivors, including decorated Olympians Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, and McKayla Maroney. After an investigation, federal charges were filed against Nassar in 2016 for child sexual abuse images.
Michigan State University agreed to pay $500 million to over 300 women, while USA Gymnastics and the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee reached a $380 million settlement. Lawyer Mick Grewal, representing 44 individuals in lawsuits against the government, called the total settlements a reflection of the travesty that occurred.
Rachael Denhollander, who publicly detailed abuse by Nassar, expressed gratitude for the accountability brought by the Department of Justice after a long wait for justice. The Justice Department has acknowledged its failure to intervene despite FBI agents being aware of the allegations against Nassar for more than a year.