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Court Case Highlights Coverup Of Sexual Molestation In USA Gymnastics By Larry Nassar

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Published on: January 19, 2018

Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics team doctor for nearly two decades, pleaded guilty in November to seven counts of criminal sexual conduct in Michigan, but it appears that more than 100 women will read statements at his sentencing of how he sexually molested them as little girls and how USA Gymnastics seems to have enabled his crimes.

The LA Times reports:

Sitting in a Michigan courtroom, dressed in a blue jumpsuit, Larry Nassar on Thursday continued listening to scores of victims who are coming forward to speak at his sentencing.

The former Michigan State and U.S. Olympic team doctor pleaded guilty in November to seven counts of criminal sexual conduct. He has also pleaded guilty to other counts and has been sentenced to 60 years in federal prison in a separate child pornography case.

In court this week, his accusers have recounted Nassar molesting them under the guise of performing therapeutic treatments.

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The first to read her statement was Kyle Stevens.

Many of these girls and women have already read their statements, including Olympic gymnast McKayla Maroney.

Maroney said that her abuse at the hands of Nassar began the age of 14 and she referred to him as “a child molester, and a monster of a human being” who “abused my trust, he abused my body and he left scars on my psyche that may never go away.”

She was told by Nassar that she was receiving “medically necessary treatment that he had been performing on patients for over 30 years.”

Maroney recounted at least one incident in which he gave her “a sleeping pill for the flight, and the next thing I know, I was all alone with him in his hotel room getting a “treatment.” I thought I was going to die that night.”

Maroney reached a settlement for $1.25 million with USA Gymnastics over the abuse, but claims that she was forced to sign a non-disclosure agreement not to talk about the abuse or the settlement, and that she would be fined $100,000 if she violated that agreement.

Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Chrissy Teigen offered to pay the fine if Maroney simply spoke out.

However, after Maroney went public, USA Gymnastics issued a statement saying they would not fine her for speaking out.

“USA Gymnastics has not sought and will not seek any money from McKayla Maroney for her brave statements made in describing her victimization and abuse by Larry Nassar, nor for any victim impact statements she wants to make to Larry Nassar at this hearing or at any subsequent hearings related to his sentencing. This has been her right and USA Gymnastics encourages McKayla and anyone who has been abused to speak out. USA Gymnastics remains focused on our highest priority — the safety, health and well-being of our athletes and creating a culture that empowers and supports them.”

According to her lawsuit:

“During the period McKayla Maroney was being sexually abused and harassed by Nassar, Defendants had the authority and ability to prevent such abuse by removing Nassar from his position as team physician at Team USA, USAG and in his status with the USOC. They failed to do so, allowing the abuse to occur and to continue unabated.” 

“Nassar would continuously, obsessively and compulsively photograph McKayla Maroney and is believed to have possessed thousands of photographs of McKayla Maroney competing in gymnastics events, training, in everyday situations.

McKayla Maroney alleges that she believes photographs were taken of her while Nassar was sexually abusing her under the guise of treatment. McKayla Maroney is further informed and believes, and on that basis alleges, that these photographs were shared by Nassar with other pedophiles for their sexual gratification.”

Those reading statements about Nassar’s abuse of them include gymnasts Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas.

Additionally, there are several lawsuits that have been filed by six survivors of Nassar’s abuse.  Alexis Alvarado, Jessica Smith, Christine Harrison and Larissa Boyce are among those initiating the lawsuits.

NBC reports that Nassar complained to the judge that it was too difficult to sit and listen to the women read about his abuse.

In a six-page single-spaced letter, Nassar complained it was too hard for him to listen to dozens of accusers describe how he abused them under the guise of medical treatments and how it wrecked their lives. He said the judge had turned the proceeding into a “media circus” and put herself in the spotlight.

“Now this is entertaining to me,” County Court Judge Rosemarie Aquilina said as she read from the letter in court on Thursday.

“‘Aquilina said if I pass out she’ll have the EMTs revive me and prop me up in the witness box.'”

The judge scoffed.

“I suspect you have watched too much television,” Aquilina said. “It’s delusional. You need to talk about these issues with a therapist and that’s not me.”

Indeed, if it is unbearable to sit and listen to the victims at this point, how will this man stand before his Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ, on Judgment Day?

While I don’t think prison is the answer here, a much harsher punishment should apply, I do hope that someone would communicate the saving Gospel to him, as well as to many of these girls and women so that though there may be punishment here and now for Nassar, and pain and suffering on the part of these women, there might also be healing.  This doesn’t do away with the consequences here and now, but it certainly would provide hope for both.

Article posted with permission from Freedom Outpost

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