This week, the Department of Justice (DOJ) reached a settlement with victims of sports medicine doctor Larry Nassar, whose long history of sexual abuse against elite athletes shocked and enraged the nation. The DOJ settled with Nassar’s survivors for $138.7 million due to the fact that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) did not move on actionable allegations of abuse for over one year, allowing more victims to be abused by Nassar.
Background on Nassar’s Investigation Timeline
In 2015, the FBI was alerted to allegations of abuse against sports doctor Larry Nassar, but the agency did not adequately respond for over a year. During this time, Nassar was able to abuse more victims.
FBI Mishandling Allowed Nassar More Access to Victims
In 2021, after a watchdog group found the FBI at fault for mismanaging sufficient evidence to move forward with the investigation, the FBI acknowledged its wrong, and now the victims are finally seeing a settlement with the FBI over its oversight. The settlement awards $138.7 million to the survivors.
Compensation Total from All Settlements Reaches $1 Billion
The compensation from the FBI settlement is $138.7 million, and when added to previous settlements, the amount reaches close to $1 billion for survivors to use for healing and restitution.
Nassar’s Background in Sports Medicine
Nassar was a sports doctor affiliated with Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics. He is most well known for his connection to the Olympic U.S. Women’s gymnastics team. He is currently serving a 60-year sentence for his crimes.
DOJ Responds With Regret
The Attorney for the DOJ, Benjamin Mizer, spoke out about the settlement with regret, stating the importance of taking allegations such as those that were brought forward about Nassar with gravity and immediate seriousness to prevent further access to victims.
Purpose of Settlement
Mizer stated his hope that the closure and resources resulting from the settlement will provide care and support to Nassar’s victims as they work to heal and move forward in their lives.
FBI Acknowledges Mismanagement With Catastrophic Consequences
In 2021, FBI Director Christopher Wray apologized to the survivors of Nassar’s crimes and acknowledged that the FBI should have proceeded in its investigation based on the information it had gathered as of 2015 rather than remain inactive for fourteen months.
Nassar’s Conviction and Sentencing
Nassar’s conviction and sentencing hearing were the result of the efforts of the Michigan attorney general’s office, which pursued the investigation and charges that ultimately put Nassar behind bars.
Nassar’s First Accuser Encouraged by FBI’s Admission of Wrong
The first individual to publicly accuse Nassar is Rachael Denhollander, who has stated her gratitude that the FBI admitted its error in not investigating Nassar when the agency first learned of substantiated claims of abuse. Denhollander is not a party to the settlement reached between the DOJ and Nassar’s victims.
Many Survivors Do Not See Justice Executed
Additionally, Denhollander expressed that many assault survivors do not have the opportunity to seek justice or see their abuser held accountable for crimes committed.
Total Settlement Value Adds Up To $1 Billion for Survivors
The large settlement value total of $1 billion across court cases underscores the devastation resulting from the FBI’s mishandling of the initial allegations and the number of victims that were harmed in the months that the FBI neglected its duties in pursuing the claims of abuse.
Response from Institutions that Employed Nassar
In addition to the $138.7 million from the DOJ, victims have received settlements of up to $880 million collectively from Michigan State University, USA Gymnastics, and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
Implications of FBI Admission of Regret On Not Acting Sooner to Protect Athletes
The admission of the FBI as to their failure to act for over a year on serious and systemic criminal sexual abuse allegations will likely go a long way toward ensuring that investigative bodies and those responsible for the wellbeing of minors will take allegations seriously with immediate and proactive investigations to safeguard the vulnerable.
