It is a story that has deeply marked the world of sport in the United States. Former US women’s gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar has been convicted of repeated sexual assault on more than 250 gymnasts, most of whom were minors, over a span of nearly twenty years. Sentenced in 2017 and 2018 to life imprisonment, the 58-year-old man notably assaulted the gymnastics star, Simone biles. The 24-year-old also testified alongside several other American athletes last September, describing the assaults suffered during her youth.
Well today, the victims of Larry Nassar have just learned some good news. According to the Wall Street Journal, the American Gymnastics Federation, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and their insurers have reached a compensation agreement and the 250 gymnasts are expected to receive no less than 380 million dollars (approximately 336 million euros). A huge sum and confirmed during a hearing in federal court, thus ending five years of legal battle. It is therefore one of the highest compensation awarded to victims of sexual assault.
Landmark deal ends another chapter in Larry Nassar scandal
Larry Nassar had also raged within Michigan State University and the institution had then reached an agreement for 500 million dollars (443 million euros) with more than 300 victims. “This historic deal ends another chapter in the Larry Nassar scandal. The survivors have now received a total of $ 880 million in compensation for their pain and their suffering at the hands of this monster, with institutions that let him do it “, said lead victims’ lawyer John C. Manly.
If this scandal has perhaps not yet finished delivering its final verdicts, for the victims, it is yet another victory after this record financial agreement.