Dozens of abuse survivors plan to sue FBI over Nassar investigation
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© Reuters. FILEPHOTO: Larry Nassar was a former doctor for USA Gymnastics who pleaded guilty to the sexual assault charges in November 2017. He appeared in court on February 5th 2018, at Eaton County Court in Charlotte. REUTERS/R(Reuters) – Over 90 women are planning to sue the FBI. They claim that former FBI agents botched the sex abuse investigation of Larry Nassar from USA Gymnastics, according the New York Times.
The newspaper reports that Olympic gymnastics medalists Simone Biles (gold), Aly Raisman (gold) and McKayla Marsoney (white) will sue for damages of over $1 billion. It cited a statement by the woman’s lawyer.
John Manly, their lawyer, wasn’t immediately available to comment.
Two weeks ago, the U.S. Justice Department stated that they will not press criminal charges against any former FBI agents for bungling Nassar’s investigation in 2015.
Thirteen victims of Nassar’s sexual abuse filed tort claims against the FBI in April. They sought $130 million for similar claims.
Nassar was also an ex-employee of Michigan State University and was sentenced to up to 175 year imprisonment for his abuse of young gymnasts.
High-profile Olympic gymnasts, including Maroney and Biles, gave heartbreaking testimony to a U.S. Senate panel in September 2021 about the years of sexual abuse that Nassar had caused them.
The gymnasts attacked the FBI at that hearing for their mishandling the investigation. Biles accused the FBI of not paying attention to the victims of Nassar.
In a July 2021 report, Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz found widespread and grave errors in the FBI’s handling of Nassar. He was able to further abuse 70 victims until he was arrested.
According to the report, two ex-FBI agents were identified. They waited five months before interviewing Maroney by phone. However, they failed to reach other victims.
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