Victims of the disgraced former Team USA doctor, Larry Nassar, are set to receive a substantial payout of $138.7 million from the U.S. Department of Justice.
The U.S. Department of Justice made a significant announcement on Tuesday, stating that they will be providing a substantial payment to 139 victims. This decision comes as a result of the DOJ’s conclusion that the FBI did not carry out a comprehensive investigation of Nassar after receiving crucial information that could have prevented the doctor’s appalling actions.
“In a news release, Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer expressed that Lawrence Nassar had abused his position and betrayed the trust of those under his care and medical supervision for decades, all while evading accountability.”
“These allegations should have been treated with utmost seriousness right from the start. Although these settlements cannot undo the immense harm caused by Nassar, our aim is to provide the victims of his crimes with the crucial support they require to continue their healing process.”
The FBI is facing allegations of inadequate investigation into the claims against Nassar that were reported to them in 2015 and 2016, which resulted in the doctor being able to continue victimizing others.
Nassar’s victims have received their third major settlement from the DOJ following the 2016 USA Gymnastics sexual abuse scandal. The total amount awarded to them has now surpassed a billion dollars.
In 2018, MSU agreed to a payout of $500 million. A few years later, in 2021, USA Gymnastics and the USA Olympic Committee reached a settlement of $380 million.
Nassar, on the other hand, is currently incarcerated, with little hope of ever being released.
The disgraced physician, who is now 60 years old, committed sexual assaults against numerous athletes, including Olympic gold medalists Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, and McKayla Maroney. As a result, he has been sentenced in both state and federal court, with his total prison term exceeding hundreds of years.
The settlement is still pending finalization, and as of now, the victims have not received any monetary compensation.
