What we know: Larry Nassar and the USA Gymnastics abuse scandal

Larry Nassar, the former Michigan State University doctor who molested young gymnasts while claiming he was performing a special treatment on them, was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison Wednesday.

"I just signed your death warrant," Judge Rosemarie Aquilina told Nassar in Ingham County (Mich.) Circuit Court.

IndyStar was first to report the allegations that led to Nassar to accept a plea deal on seven counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving more than 160 girls and women over more than two decades.

Here's what we know about Nassar and the sexual abuse scandal at USA Gymnastics.

156 women testified

Rachael Denhollander, the first to publicly accuse Nassar of sexual assault, was the last of 156 women to stand in court and deliver heart-wrenching testimony to the pain and abuse suffered at the hands of a trusted medical professional.

"Larry meticulously groomed me for the purpose of exploiting me for his own sexual gain,” Denhollander told the judge

Nassar claimed abuse was a 'misunderstanding'

IndyStar reporter Tim Evans interviewed Nassar on Sept. 12, 2016, at an attorney's office in Grand Rapids, Mich.

"I saw the smooth Nassar, a master manipulater who had convinced police and university officials that earlier complaints were misunderstandings — and went on molesting young girls," Evans wrote in column that was published Tuesday on IndyStar.com. 

"At times in the about 30 minutes we were together, he came off almost arrogant," Evans wrote. "That was particularly true as he tried to convince me the 'misunderstanding' was the result of the women’s ignorance of his sophisticated medical work."

Gymnastics scandal brings resignations

Three top USA Gymnastics executives, Chairman Paul Parilla, vice chairman Jay Binder and treasurer Bitsy Kelley, resigned from the board of directors Monday as women offered searing testimony of sexual abuse.

Michigan State University president Lou Anna Simon issued a resignation letter on Wednesday announcing she will resign today. 

"To the survivors, I can never say enough that I am so sorry that a trusted, renowned physician was really such an evil, evil person who inflicted such harm under the guise of medical treatment," Simon said in the letter.

Judge praised for allowing testimony

Judge Rosemarie Aquilina has received praise nationally as an advocate for victims after she allowed testimony from survivors who said they were his victims even though Nassar hadn't been charged in their cases.

Gymnast: Send coach to jail, too

Shortly after Nassar was sentenced, former gymnast Lindsey Lemke said John Geddert "deserves to be in jail with Larry." Geddert, the coach who led the 2012 U.S. Olympic women's team, has been accused of physically abusing gymnasts.

Columnist: Nassar worse than Penn State

Shawn Windsor, a columnist for the Detroit Free Press, wrote: "If this story had been about boys, the action would’ve come sooner. Much sooner. As it did with Penn State."

Nassar victims put pressure on sponsors, donors

AT&T, Hershey Co., Under Armour, Kellogg Co. and Procter & Gamble Co. cut ties after several victims publicly called on donors and sponsors to stop supporting Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics.

Doyel: MSU failed to stop Nassar

IndyStar's Gregg Doyel slams MSU officials for failing to stop Nassar after athletes reported his abuse. "Evil came to college, and the college said: I don’t see you," Doyel wrote.

Call IndyStar reporter Vic Ryckaert at (317) 444-2701. Follow him on Twitter: @VicRyc.