Gymnasts Seek $1B from FBI for Failing to Stop Nassar

Around 90 current and former gymnasts are seeking more than $1 billion from the FBI for failing to act on former USA Gymnastics and Michigan State doctor Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse. 

Among the athletes are Olympic gold medalists Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, and McKayla Maroney.

The reports come weeks after the Justice Department decided not to charge the two former FBI agents that allegedly mishandled the allegations.

Government agencies have six months to respond to tort claims, but the FBI was told of some of Nassar’s acts in 2015 yet left him undisciplined for more than a year. 

• When Indianapolis-based gymnasts reported assaults in 2015, the FBI didn’t open a formal investigation or inform state or federal authorities, according to the DOJ’s inspector general.
• In 2016, Los Angeles FBI agents interviewed several survivors through a sexual tourism investigation against Nassar, but failed to notify Michigan authorities.
• Nassar was arrested in 2016 following an investigation by Michigan State police but didn’t plead guilty until 2017. He is now serving a 60-year sentence in federal prison and has a 175-year sentence in Michigan.

No lawsuits have been filed — but could be depending on the FBI’s response.

Separate Settlements

Last year, around 500 Nassar victims reached a $380 million settlement with USA Gymnastics, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, and their insurers. In 2018, Michigan State University agreed to pay $500 million to 332 girls and women who were abused by Nassar during his time at the school.