U.S. Justice Department Settles with Nassar Victims
The U.S. Justice Department has reached a $138.7 million settlement with over 100 individuals who accused the FBI of gross mishandling of sexual assault allegations against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016. This settlement is part of a larger $1 billion compensation package for hundreds of victims of Nassar’s abuse.
Nassar, a sports doctor at Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics, was convicted and sentenced to decades in prison for sexually assaulting female athletes, including Olympic gymnasts. The FBI’s failure to act on the allegations against Nassar allowed him to continue abusing victims for over a year.
FBI Director Christopher Wray has apologized for the agency’s failure to stop Nassar, acknowledging that agents in Indianapolis and Los Angeles had knowledge of the allegations but took no action.
Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin Mizer said that Nassar betrayed the trust of those in his care and that the allegations should have been taken seriously from the outset. He expressed hope that the settlement will provide victims with some of the support they need to heal.
The Justice Department has acknowledged its failure to intervene in the case, and the settlement includes compensation for victims who were failed by the FBI.
Rachael Denhollander, the first person to publicly accuse Nassar of abuse, praised the settlement as a step towards accountability. She emphasized that many survivors never see justice or restitution for the harm done to them.
Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics have also agreed to pay significant settlements to victims of Nassar’s abuse. A retired federal judge served as a mediator in the federal claims, which took over six years to resolve due to the efforts of Nassar’s victims and their attorneys.
