Ex-US gymnastics doctor faces 22 sex abuse charges

CHICAGO: The authorities in Michigan charged former US national gymnastics team doctor Lawrence Nassar with 22 criminal counts of sexual assault, including of girls under the age of 13.

Nassar, 53, was arrested last November on charges of sexually assaulting a child in Michigan, where he is being held without bail.

That case was not connected to athletics, officials said.

In December, he was indicted on federal child pornography possession charges.

Dozens of women are now suing USA Gymnastics over Nassar’s alleged actions.

Michigan Attorney-General Bill Schuette on Wednesday charged Nassar with multiple sexual assault charges in two separate counties – including five counts involving victims under 13 years old. Each charge carries a sentence of up to life in prison.

His attorney declined request for comment, but the doctor has previously denied the allegations of sexual abuse, saying his treatments were legitimate medical practices. — AFP