A source familiar with the negotiations has revealed that the United States government and victims of former USA Gymnastics physician Larry Nassar are on the verge of finalizing a deal to address claims that the FBI did not adequately investigate allegations against the doctor.
While the exact amount of the settlement is still being determined, discussions are ongoing between the involved parties, as reported by CBS News.
If the settlement is agreed upon, it will be disbursed by the Justice Department to close to 100 of Nassar's victims, including renowned Olympian Simone Biles, as well as fellow gold medalists Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney.
Officials from the Justice Department, FBI, and legal representatives for the victims have chosen not to provide comments at this time.
FBI Failed to Act on Nassar Allegations, Inspector General Report Reveals
A recent inspector general report unveiled that the FBI was aware of accusations against Larry Nassar for molesting gymnasts as early as 2015 but did not take action, allowing him to continue his abusive behavior unchecked for months. The report also exposed that FBI agents went as far as lying to cover up their inaction. Despite the agents involved facing consequences such as termination or retirement, the Department of Justice did not pursue criminal charges against them. In a surprising turn of events, federal prosecutors announced in May 2022 that they would not be pursuing charges against the agents for their delayed investigation.
John Manly, an attorney representing Nassar's survivors, highlighted the severity of the situation by stating, "He was seeing 8 to 10 patients a day, sometimes 15, and molesting little girls." The survivors have collectively filed a lawsuit against the FBI for negligence and misconduct, with a potential settlement likely to address their claims against the federal government.
During testimonies before Congress, both FBI Director Christopher Wray and Attorney General Merrick Garland condemned the mishandling of the Nassar case by FBI agents, vowing to avoid similar mistakes in the future. The FBI's failures in this case were described as "horrible" by Garland, emphasizing the need for accountability and reform within the agency.
Significant Settlements Reached in Nassar Abuse Cases
The repercussions of Larry Nassar's heinous actions continue to unfold, with settlements related to the former national women's gymnastics team doctor surpassing $1 billion. Michigan State University, where Nassar worked, agreed to a $500 million settlement with over 300 women and girls who were victims of his abuse. These settlements underscore the widespread impact of Nassar's crimes and the ongoing efforts to provide justice and support to those affected.
In 2021, the school faced accusations of overlooking opportunities to prevent Nassar's actions. A settlement of $380 million was reached between USA Gymnastics, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and Nassar's victims.
Nassar, who has been convicted of sexual abuse and child pornography, is currently serving multiple prison sentences after pleading guilty to various charges between 2017 and 2018.
