‘We need to hold people accountable’: Nassar abuse survivor

‘We need to hold people accountable’: Nassar abuse survivor

‘We need to hold people accountable’ NASSAR abuse survivor Olympic Gold medalists Simone Biles, Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney are among roughly 90 women suing the federal agency for $1 billion claiming the bureau failed to stop sports doctor LARRY NASSAR from continuing to abuse girls after learning about allegations against him. In 2015, Indianapolis-based USA Gymnastics informed local FBI agents that three gymnasts said they were assaulted by team doctor LARRY NASSAR. But, according to the Justice Department’s inspector general, the FBI did not open a formal investigation or alert Michigan authorities. Agents in Los Angeles launched a sexual tourism investigation against NASSAR in 2016 and still did not tell Michigan authorities, the inspector general reported. NASSAR was not arrested until fall of 2016 in Michigan. Survivor Arianna Guerrero courageously shared her story with NewsNation. She says NASSAR started abusing her when she was just 11 years old, and it carried on until she was almost 16 years old. Years later, the emotional scars and pain remain. “It’s been a roller coaster. The problem needs to be acknowledged, so we can change it. We need to hold people accountable for what they have done to us.” The former gymnast says no one should be abused, especially not 90 women. “It really breaks my heart because us 90 women, we weren’t supposed to be VICTIMS, Guerrero said. “The investigation should have been handled back then in 2015. Us 90 women should not be here speaking.” The FBI refused to comment on the legal action. But last year at a Senate hearing, FBI Director Christopher Wray recognized mistakes made by the agency. “I’m especially sorry that there were people at the FBI who had their own chance to stop this monster back in 2015 and failed. And that’s inexcusable,” Wray said. A government agency, under federal law, has six months to respond to the kind of tort claims filed by the gymnasts June 8. NASSAR is serving decades in prison after pleading guilty in 2017. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Author: Caitlyn Shelton

Download View in Browser