Nassar abused at least 265 girls, women

Disgraced former USA Gymnastics doctor faces accusers again

The number of women and girls now known to have been abused by Larry Nassar has risen to 265, a Michigan judge told a final sentencing hearing Wednesday where the former USA Gymnastics doctor faced his accusers once again.

At least 65 of Nassar’s victims were to speak out over several days at the last of three sentencing hearings for the disgraced doctor who molested his patients for two decades under the guise of medical treatment.

The 54-year-old Nassar was sentenced last week to 40 to 175 years for molesting girls at his Michigan State University (MSU) clinic, in addition to a prior sentence of 60 years for possessing child pornography.

The poignant accounts of abuse suffered by more than 150 young women and girls, who took the stand over the past two weeks, have had profound repercussions for the US sporting world, with resignations, retirements and new investigations announced at a rapid pace.

Under pressure, the entire board of USA Gymnastics has stepped down as of Wednesday.

As the final hearings got under way, star gymnast Simone Biles slammed the US Olympic Committee for failing to reach out to her after she revealed this month she had been molested by Nassar.

She revealed she was initially in denial – and broke down when she realized she had been abused.

“I remember just bawling my eyes out,” the four-time Olympic gold medal winner told NBC News.

“It feels like he took a part of me that I can’t get back.”

Biles, along with fellow gold-medalists Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas and McKayla Maroney, have all identified themselves as Nassar victims, along with scores of female athletes in gymnastics and others who sought medical treatment at Michigan State.

The small courtroom in Charlotte, Michigan filled up early in the morning, long before Nassar was brought in for hearings that were expected stretch into early next week.

“We have over 265 identified victims and an infinite number of victims in the state, in the country, and all over the world,” Judge Janice Cunningham said.

“As a result, by allowing live streaming and tweeting, all individuals are able to participate in this process.”