“In a statement, Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer expressed his dismay at Lawrence Nassar’s decades-long abuse of power and betrayal of trust towards those under his care and medical supervision. Mizer emphasized the importance of taking these allegations seriously from the very beginning. While acknowledging that no amount of compensation can undo the harm inflicted by Nassar, Mizer expressed hope that these settlements would provide the victims of his crimes with crucial support to aid in their ongoing healing process.”
The settlement, when it is finalized, will bring resolution to 139 tort claims that were filed against the DOJ and the FBI in 2022. These claims were made by a long list of athletes and patients who have reported instances of abuse by Nassar. Among those who have come forward are Maggie Nichols, Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, and McKayla Maroney.
The Department of Justice’s decision not to pursue criminal charges against agents who were found to have mishandled the investigation of abuse allegations by Nassar has resulted in several claims seeking approximately $1 billion in damages.
The agreement reached on Tuesday was a cause for celebration among the attorneys representing many of the individuals who filed claims against the government. However, they also emphasized that the FBI’s handling of the Larry Nassar investigation was marked by inaction and a complete mishandling, leading to the failure to protect hundreds of women and girls from sexual abuse.
“We trust that federal law enforcement will take this as a valuable lesson and implement the necessary changes to ensure that a similar incident does not occur in the future.”
