US gymnastics doc gets another 40 to 125 years

CHARLOTTE ( North Carolina): Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics doctor who sexually abused girls and young women for decades under the guise of medical treatment, was sentenced to an additional 40 to 125 years in prison.

Nassar already faced a lifetime behind bars for two prior sentences after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting women and girls in his role as a high-profile sports medicine doctor at USA Gymnastics and at a Michigan State University (MSU) clinic.

The latest sentence stems from abuse he committed at the Twistars gymnastics training centre in Michigan, where victims said in court they were referred to Nassar for treatment and were molested.

“This now ends the criminal legal proceedings involving Larry Nassar. I realise that it does not end the emotional and physical suffering he has caused,” Judge Janice Cunningham said in a Charlotte, Michigan courtroom after imposing the maximum sentence under a plea agreement.

The 54-year-old is accused by some 265 women – including Olympians, gymnasts and collegiate athletes – of sexually abusing them over a more than two-decade career.

Nassar had previously been sentenced to 60 years in prison on child pornography possession charges in December, and up to 175 years in prison on sexual abuse charges in January. — AFP