The U.S. Justice Department has announced a $138.7 million settlement with over 100 individuals who accused the FBI of severely mishandling sexual assault allegations against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016. This critical time gap allowed the sports doctor to continue harming victims before his arrest. Combined with other settlements, $1 billion has now been allocated to compensate hundreds of women who claimed Nassar assaulted them under the guise of treating sports injuries.
Nassar worked at Michigan State University and served as a team doctor for USA Gymnastics in Indianapolis. He is currently serving decades in prison for assaulting female athletes, including Olympic medal-winning gymnasts.
Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin Mizer acknowledged that Nassar betrayed the trust of those in his care for decades and that the allegations should have been taken seriously from the beginning. While the settlements won’t undo the harm caused by Nassar, Mizer expressed hope that they will help provide the victims with critical support needed for their continued healing.
The Justice Department has admitted its failure to intervene, as FBI agents in Indianapolis and Los Angeles had knowledge of the allegations against Nassar for over a year but apparently took no action, according to an internal investigation.
During a Senate hearing in 2021, FBI Director Christopher Wray apologized to the survivors, including decorated Olympians Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, and McKayla Maroney, for the repeated failings of different people and the FBI’s missed opportunity to stop Nassar in 2015.
Rachael Denhollander, the first person to publicly come forward with details of Nassar’s abuse, expressed gratitude for the Justice Department’s accountability, noting that most survivors never see justice or restitution.
Michigan State University, USA Gymnastics, and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee have also agreed to pay substantial settlements to the women and girls who were assaulted. Attorney Mick Grewal, who represented 44 people in claims against the government, stated that the $1 billion in overall settlements speaks to the magnitude of the tragedy that occurred.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.