Michigan State agrees to pay $500M to settle Nassar claims

gymnasts at his Michigan State office, building an international reputation while working at the same time LANSING, MICH. » Michigan for USA Gymnastics, which State University agreed to trains Olympians. pay $500 million to settle The university and lawyers claims from more than 300 for 332 victims announced women and girls who said the deal after negotiating they were assaulted by sports privately with the doctor Larry Nassar in the help of a mediator. Under the worst sexabuse agreement, $425 million will case be paid to current claimants in sports and $75 million will be set history, officials aside for any future claims. announced Lawyers will also be compensated out of the $500 million Wednesday. pool.

The deal Michigan State was accused surpasses of ignoring or dismissing the $100 complaints about million-plus Nassar, some as far back as paid by Penn State University the 1990s. The school had insisted to settle claims by at that no one covered up least 35 people who accused assaults, although Nassar’s assistant football coach Jerry boss, former medical school Sandusky of sexual abuse, dean William Strampel, was though the Nassar deal involves later charged with failing to far more victims. properly supervise him and

“We are truly sorry to all committing his own sexual the survivors and their families misconduct. for what they have been Nassar, 54, pleaded guilty through, and we admire to molesting women and the courage it has taken to girls under the guise of tell their stories,” said Brian treatment and was caught Breslin, chairman of Michigan with child pornography. He State’s governing board. is serving three prison sentences “We recognize the need for that will likely keep change on our campus and him locked up for life. in our community around More than 250 women sexual assault awareness and and girls gave statements in prevention.” court when Nassar was sentenced

It’s not clear how much in January and February. each victim will receive, although Since that time, even the money will not more accusers have stepped be divided equally. It’s also forward, which accounts for unclear where the money the larger number of people will come from. University covered by the Michigan spokeswoman Emily Guerrant State agreement. said school leaders will Nassar’s assaults were now work on a way to pay mostly committed in Michigan the bill. at his Lansing-area

Rachael Denhollander of home, campus clinic and Louisville, Kentucky, who area gyms. But his accusers in 2016 was the first woman also said he molested to publicly identify herself them at a gymnastics-training as a victim, said the agreement ranch in Texas and at “reflects the incredible national and international damage which took place competitions. Nassar’s work on MSU’s campus.” But she far away from campus was said she still has not seen any spelled out in his employment “meaningful reform” at the contract with Michigan university. State.

Nassar treated campus During the sentencing athletes and scores of young hearings, many accusers described Nassar an ultra-competitive gymnastics culture in which authority figures could not be questioned and Nassar was free to abuse young patients year after year. They said they had little choice to see doctors other than Nassar, who was renowned throughout the sport.

He counted on his charm and reputation to deflect any questions. He was so brazen that he sometimes molested patients in front of their parents, shielding the young girls with his body or a sheet. His clinic was decorated with signed photos of Olympic stars, bolstering his credentials to star-struck athletes and their families.

Olympic gold medalists Jordyn Wieber, Aly Raisman, Gabby Douglas and McKayla Maroney say they were among Nassar’s victims.

Other cases involved participants in soccer, figure skating, rowing, softball, cheerleading, wrestling, diving, dance, and track and field.

“This historic settlement came about through the bravery of more than 300 women and girls who had the courage to stand up and refuse to be silenced,” said John Manly, the lead attorney for the victims.

The scandal rocked Michigan State, leading to the resignation of President Lou Anna Simon on Jan. 24 and athletic director Mark Hollis two days later. The fallout has also pushed out many leaders at the top of competitive gymnastics.

The school has about 39,000 undergraduate students. Its general fund budget is $1.36 billion. Roughly $983 million comes from tuition and fees, and $281 million is from the state.

The settlement applies only to Michigan State. Lawsuits are still pending against Indianapolis-based USA Gymnastics, the U.S. Olympic Committee and an elite gymnastics club in the Lansing-area.