SPORTS DOCTOR TO PLEAD GUILTY TO HAVING CHILD PORN
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH.» A former Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics sports doctor accused of sexually assaulting dozens of women and girls plans to plead guilty to unrelated charges of possession of child pornography.
A court document shows that Dr. Larry Nassar is due in federal court Tuesday to change his plea from not guilty to guilty.
Nassar was a sports medicine specialist at Michigan State, especially in treating gymnasts in the region. He also worked for Indianapolis-based USA Gymnastics, which trains Olympians.
Besides the child porn case, Nassar is charged with sexually assaulting nine women or girls in three criminal cases in the Lansing area. They said he molested them with ungloved hands during treatments for various injuries.
Separately, Nassar is being sued by more than 100 women and girls.
Lightning signs Johnson for $35M.
TAMPA, FLA.» Tyler Johnson is staying with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The free-agent forward signed a seven-year, $35 million deal to remain with the Lightning.
The 26-year-old Johnson had 19 goals and 26 assists in 66 games last season. He was tied for third on the Lightning in goals and power-play goals (six) and had 45 points.
Overall, Johnson has totaled 89 goals, 122 assists and 102 penalty minutes in 308 career games over five seasons, all with Tampa Bay. He also has 21 goals and 21 assists in 47 career playoff games.
• The Dallas Stars re-signed center Radek Faksa to a $6.6 million, threeyear contract. Faksa, 23, is coming off his first full NHL season.
• The Minnesota Wild re-signed right wings Kurtis Gabriel and Zack Mitchell and goalie Steve Michalek to one-year, two-way contracts.
• The Los Angeles Kings hired Pierre Turgeon for his first job as an assistant coach.
• The New York Rangers hired longtime NHL head coach Lindy Ruff as an assistant to Alain Vigneault.
Review confirms win for Jeff Horn.
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO» The World Boxing Organization said an independent review of the scoring in Manny Pacquiao’s welterweight world title loss to Jeff Horn confirms the outcome in favor of the Australian former schoolteacher.
A Philippines government department asked the WBO to review the refereeing and the judging of the socalled “Battle of Brisbane” in Australia on July 2 after Horn, fighting for his first world title, won a unanimous points decision against Pacquiao, an 11-time world champion.
The WBO agreed to conduct a review but said it couldn’t change the outcome unless there was evidence of fraud or a violation of law.
Chiefs promote Veach to GM.
KANSAS CITY, MO.» The Kansas City Chiefs promoted co-director of player personnel Brett Veach to general manager.
The appointment was announced about 2½ weeks after Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt surprisingly fired John Dorsey, their GM of the past four years. Head coach Andy Reid’s contract was extended that same day.
Veach has begun his fifth season with the Chiefs, having spent his first two years with the team as a pro and college personnel analyst.
Hendricks throws in rehab stint.
SEVIERVILLE, TENN.» Chicago Cubs pitcher Kyle Hendricks gave up one run in 3L innings while making a rehabilitation appearance in the Double-A Southern League for the Tennessee Smokies.
Hendricks, the 2016 major-league leader in earned run average, has been on the disabled list since June 5 with tendinitis in his right hand.
Footnote.
The Mammoth made Dan Carey the second general manager in team history.