U.S. Government to Pay $139 Million to Nassar's Victims Amidst FBI's Investigative Failures

Overview of the Settlement

The U.S. government announced on Tuesday that it will pay nearly $139 million to over a hundred gymnasts who suffered sexual assault by former national team doctor Larry Nassar. Nassar, who is currently serving a life sentence, was convicted in 2017 and 2018 for his crimes spanning two decades.

Accusations Against the FBI

The settlement follows allegations against the FBI for not conducting an adequate investigation into the initial complaints against Nassar. These were first reported to the FBI's Indianapolis office in July 2015, but the investigation was soon dropped. It wasn't until a subsequent report in May 2016 that the investigation was reinitiated.

Acknowledgement of Errors

In July 2021, a report by the General Inspectorate of the Department of Justice highlighted "fundamental errors" by the agents involved in the initial investigation. Benjamin Mizer, a deputy at the Department of Justice, admitted the allegations should have been taken seriously from the beginning and expressed hope that the settlements would aid the victims' healing process.

Historical Context and Impact

Larry Nassar's actions have led to the largest sexual assault scandal in gymnastics history, prompting global discussions and reforms in the sport. The total financial compensation to Nassar’s victims now exceeds a billion dollars, with significant contributions from Michigan State University and the gymnastics federation. This scandal has also spurred changes in the International Gymnastics Federation's code of conduct to protect athletes from abuse.