The Department of Justice has agreed to pay more than $138 million to victims of disgraced sports physician Larry Nassar and has apologized for the FBI failing to act on warnings about the convicted sex abuser. Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin Mizer stated that the FBI failed to conduct an adequate investigation of Nassar’s conduct, allowing him to abuse his position and betray the trust of those under his care. The settlement is meant to provide critical support to the victims as they continue to heal from the harm inflicted by Nassar.
Internal probes concluded that FBI agents in Indianapolis made “fundamental errors” by failing to notify other FBI offices or state and local authorities about Nassar’s actions. A 2021 report by Inspector General Michael Horowitz criticized the Indianapolis-based agents for not taking responsibility for their failures and providing inaccurate information. The settlement announced will resolve 139 claims made against the FBI, acknowledging institutional failures when victims first raised red flags about Nassar and the abuse they endured.
Michigan State University, where Nassar worked, previously agreed to pay $500 million in 2018 to women and girls who were assaulted by him. Additionally, USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee reached a $380 million deal with victims in 2021. These settlements highlight the widespread impact of Nassar’s actions and the importance of holding institutions accountable for their failures to address the abuse allegations. The latest settlement with the Department of Justice aims to provide some measure of justice and support to the victims of Nassar’s crimes.
Larry Nassar, who is now serving time at the United States Penitentiary, Lewisburg, has a listed release date of January 30, 2068. Given his federal charges stemming from child pornography and his multiple prison sentences totaling up to 175 years, it is unlikely that Nassar will ever walk free. In 2017, he pleaded guilty to federal charges related to child pornography, leading to his 60-year prison sentence. In 2018, he was sentenced to additional prison time for molesting young girls under the guise of treatment, with judges condemning his actions and expressing the severity of his crimes.
The settlement announced on Tuesday represents a significant step in providing restitution and acknowledging the failures of institutions to prevent Nassar’s abusive behavior. The Department of Justice’s agreement to pay over $138 million to victims highlights the importance of addressing the long-lasting impacts of sexual abuse and supporting survivors in their healing process. By holding those responsible for enabling Nassar’s actions accountable, the victims are given some form of justice and recognition for the trauma they endured. The prolonged legal battles and investigations into Nassar’s crimes continue to shed light on the systemic failures that allowed his abuse to persist for years unchecked.
