18 women sue USA Gymnastics, MSU over sex abuse
Eighteen women signed onto a civil lawsuit that names USA Gymnastics, a high-profile gymnastics club and Michigan State University, claiming the defendants failed to protect them from sexual abuse by Dr. Larry Nassar.
It's the fourth civil suit claiming sexual abuse by Nassar, who worked for USA Gymnastics for 29 years, including four Olympics. He left USA Gymnastics quietly in 2015, saying he was retiring. USA Gymnastics said it fired him and reported him to the FBI after learning of "athlete concerns."
Last year, Nassar was charged in Michigan state court with three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person younger than 13 and in federal court with receipt, attempted receipt and possession of child pornography.
The criminal charges came after an IndyStar investigation revealed sexual abuse allegations against Nassar by former gymnast Rachael Denhollander and an unnamed Olympic medalist. After that article, more than 60 people filed sexual assault complaints against the osteopathic physician.
The civil lawsuit filed Tuesday in federal court in Michigan said USA Gymnastics was "grossly negligent" for failing to notify university officials or the public of the reason Nassar left his position. USA Gymnastics told IndyStar that the FBI instructed the organization not to discuss the Nassar investigation.
Some of the sexual abuse by Nassar, according to the lawsuit, occurred during USA Gymnastics-sanctioned events at Gedderts' Twistars in the Lansing, Mich., area. Owner John Geddert, a former Olympic coach, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from IndyStar.
The lawsuit noted that USA Gymnastics touted Nassar as a recipient of distinguished awards and described him as “instrumental” to the national governing body’s success. The organization sometimes referred gymnasts to Nassar for medical treatment.
USA Gymnastics “held Defendant Nassar in high esteem and acclaim which in turn encouraged Plaintiffs and others to respect and trust” him, according to the lawsuit.
In a statement to IndyStar, USA Gymnastics said it "finds the allegations against Dr. Nassar very disturbing."
"When we first learned of athlete concerns regarding Dr. Nassar in the summer of 2015, we immediately notified the FBI and relieved him of any further assignments," the statement said. "USA Gymnastics has fully cooperated with the FBI in its investigation. We find it appalling that anyone would exploit a young athlete or child in this manner, and we are grateful to the athletes who have come forward.”
Stephen Drew, attorney for the plaintiffs, said at a news conference that the purpose of the lawsuit is "institutional change and non-monetary concessions so that acts of sexual abuse like this will never, ever happen again to young athletes and students. Protecting them is more important than enhancing the reputation of the athletic system that invites their participation."
Denhollander, who first came forward to IndyStar, is among the plaintiffs, and the only one who is listed by name and not "Jane Doe."
"The reality of sexual abuse is that a pedophile is only as powerful as people around him allow him to be," she said at the news conference. "I will do everything in my power to make sure Larry Nassar is prosecuted for his crimes and can never harm another child."
Denhollander and the other 17 women accused Nassar of assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Some of the women also accused USA Gymnastics, Michigan State University and Gedderts' Twistars of negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, fraud and misrepresentation and failure to warn or protect.
An attorney representing Nassar said he had no comment on the new lawsuit.
The women said they were abused by Nassar between 1996 and 2016 under the guise of medical treatment. They were athletes in a variety of sports, including gymnastics, swimming, figure skating, track and field, field hockey, basketball and soccer. Fifteen of the women were underage at the time of the alleged abuse, and some are still minors.
The lawsuit claims that John Geddert, who owns Twistars, received a complaint in 1997 about "nonconsensual sexual touching during 'treatment'” by Nassar but did not report it to police and did not investigate it. Geddert's gym was host to a major regional gymnastics meet last weekend.
Three women said they reported concerns about Nassar to Michigan State officials, but the university failed to take action, according to the lawsuit. The complaints came in 1999, 2000 and 2014, court records state.
At least 18 other women were abused after the first two complaints were made to the university, according to court records.
A Michigan State spokesman, however, disputed some of the assertions, saying the university had no evidence that anyone had come forward about Nassar before 2014.
In 2014, Nassar was investigated by university police and the school's Title IX office but remained in his job. Last September, Michigan State fired Nassar after Denhollander's criminal and Title IX complaints.
“While we cannot comment specifically on pending or ongoing litigation, we are deeply disturbed by the state and federal criminal charges against Larry Nassar, and our hearts go out to those directly affected," the school spokesman said. "The criminal investigation into Larry Nassar is a top priority for MSU Police."
An external law firm is also investigating, the school said, "which will result in disciplinary action if appropriate."
This is the third lawsuit filed against Indianapolis-based USA Gymnastics since September, and one of four now pending against the sport's national governing body. Those lawsuits allege negligence by USA Gymnastics contributed to the sexual abuse of young athletes.
USA Gymnastics has hired a former federal prosecutor to review its policies and handling of sexual abuse complaints. That came after an IndyStar investigation revealed the sport's national governing body failed to report many allegations of sexual abuse by coaches, and predators exploited a lax culture to prey on vulnerable children.
Call IndyStar reporter Marisa Kwiatkowski at (317) 444-6135. Follow her on Twitter: @IndyMarisaK.
Call IndyStar reporter Tim Evans at (317) 444-6204. Follow him on Twitter: @starwatchtim.
Call IndyStar reporter Mark Alesia at (317) 444-6311. Follow him on Twitter: @markalesia.
Share your experiences
IndyStar will continue to investigate this topic. If you have information you would like to share, please email investigations@indystar.com or call (317) 444-6262.
Get help
Anyone who has reason to believe a child is being abused or neglected should immediately call police or the child welfare agency. Survivors of sexual abuse can contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at (800) 656-4673 or online.rainn.org. For resources or more information on the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, visit www.rainn.org.
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