The Justice Department has agreed to pay more than $100 million to a group of Larry Nassar’s victims after the FBI mishandled sexual abuse allegations against the former USA Gymnastics doctor. This agreement comes almost three years after a report from the Justice Department inspector general found that FBI officials in Indianapolis did not respond to abuse allegations against Nassar with the required seriousness and urgency. The money will be distributed among more than 100 victims who filed claims against the FBI after the release of the inspector general’s report in 2021, including Olympians Simone Biles, McKayla Maroney, and Aly Raisman. The FBI’s slow action was criticized by gymnasts like Maroney during a congressional hearing following the report’s release.
The inspector general’s report revealed that FBI agents had conducted limited follow-up after learning about Nassar’s abuse, resulting in a delay of over a year in Nassar’s conviction. This slow response by the FBI prompted gymnasts to question the effectiveness of reporting abuse when FBI agents failed to take appropriate action. FBI Director Christopher Wray admitted during a Senate hearing in 2021 that it was “inexcusable” how agents missed the opportunity to stop Nassar back in 2015. Nassar was convicted on sexual assault and child pornography charges and faced a life sentence for his crimes against over 500 women during his time as the doctor for USA Gymnastics’ women’s national team and at Michigan State University.
The victims’ settlements from Nassar’s crimes have been significant, with Michigan State University paying $500 million to survivors of Nassar’s abuse, and USA Gymnastics reaching a separate settlement of $380 million. If the $100 million from the Justice Department is finalized, the total amount paid out in abuse settlements related to Nassar’s crimes will almost reach $1 billion. The financial compensation for the victims is a crucial step in helping them recover from the trauma they experienced due to Nassar’s abuse and the mishandling of the allegations against him by law enforcement agencies.
The impact of the FBI’s mishandling of Nassar’s case on the victims has been significant, as it delayed justice for over a year and allowed Nassar to continue his abusive behavior. The agreement to pay more than $100 million to the victims is a recognition of the failures of law enforcement agencies in responding to reports of abuse and a step towards providing some measure of closure and compensation to those who suffered. The settlements from Nassar’s crimes also serve as a reminder of the importance of taking claims of abuse seriously and responding promptly to prevent further harm to victims.
The acknowledgment of the FBI’s failures in handling Nassar’s case, as well as the financial compensation for the victims, highlights the need for accountability and reform within law enforcement agencies to ensure that reports of abuse are taken seriously and investigated promptly. The $100 million payout from the Justice Department to Nassar’s victims is a significant step towards rectifying the mistakes made by the FBI and providing some measure of justice to those who were affected by Nassar’s abuse. It also sends a message that such mishandling of abuse allegations will not be tolerated and that victims deserve to be heard, believed, and supported in their pursuit of justice and healing.
