USA TODAY International Edition
16 more women accuse physician
In the two weeks since IndyStar reported sexual abuse allegations against former USA Gymnastics team physician Larry Nassar, 16 more women filed criminal complaints against the doctor.
Four of the women contacted IndyStar directly, along with a fifth woman who filed a report with police in 2004. Each of them said she told police Nassar penetrated her with his finger during what were supposed to be medical treatments. Three of the five said they were underage at the time. Two said he touched their breasts. One said Nassar was sexually aroused.
Nassar, who has not been charged with a crime, denies any wrongdoing.
In a recorded interview Sept. 12, Nassar’s former attorney told IndyStar — while Nassar was present — that the doctor never used a procedure involving vaginal penetration. But Thursday, Nassar’s current attorneys, Matthew Newburg and Shannon Smith, said Nassar has used a legitimate medical procedure that includes manipulation that, under Michigan law, would be considered vaginal penetration.
“Dr. Nassar is not changing his story in any way,” his attorneys said in a statement.
They said Nassar showed police videos that demonstrate the procedure he used.
“Those videos demonstrate the exact procedures he used to treat patients and clearly show penetration according to the legal definition,” according to the statement.
The osteopathic physician was fired from Michigan State University on Tuesday for failing to comply with employment requirements.
Nassar gained prominence through his 29- year tenure with USA Gymnastics, a position he left last September. The majority of the reported instances of sexual abuse allegedly occurred years before USA Gymnastics said it became aware of “athlete concerns” about Nassar and immediately took action.
The national governing body said it notified law enforcement and relieved him of his duties. Nassar’s former attorney disputed that characterization, saying the doctor retired.
The women’s allegations of sexual abuse span nearly two decades — from 1996 through 2014. Their ages ranged from 13 to 20. Some continued to see Nassar for treatment for years.
Nicolas Terry, executive director of the William S. and Christine S. Hall Center for Law and Health at Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, said such suits often hinge on debates over what constitutes a legitimate medical procedure.
Mark Cantieri, president of the Indiana Osteopathic Association, said there are legitimate intravaginal procedures, but they are rarely used.
When the procedures are used, he said, they should be explained to the patient and, in the case of a juvenile, the parent or guardian.