Aevum Caelum
Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles and dozens of women sexually assaulted by sports doctor Larry Nassar plan to sue the FBI for over $1 billion.
Holding The FBI Accountable
According to Associated Press, Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles, among other victims whom Nassar sexually assaulted, plan to seek over $1 billion from the FBI. This follows after they failed to take necessary protocol when the agency first received allegations against him.
The claim alleges that FBI agents knew about accusations against Nassar back in 2015 but took no action. Due to their negligence, the sexual abuse continued for more than a year.
“It is time for the FBI to be held accountable,” said Maggie Nichols, a national champion gymnast at Oklahoma in 2017-19.
Government agencies have six months to respond to the claims filed Wednesday, and depending on the FBI’s response, lawsuits are a possibility.
With a total of 90 claimants involved, the list includes Olympic gold medalists Biles, Aly Raisman, and McKayla Maroney.
According to a California lawyer, thirteen other claims were filed separately in April. Former University of Michigan gymnast Samantha Roy said:
“If the FBI had simply done its job, Nassar would have been stopped before he ever had the chance to abuse hundreds of girls, including me.”
The Indianapolis-based USA gymnastics officials informed local agents in 2015 that three gymnasts reported assault by Nassar. However, the FBI did not open a formal investigation nor informed federal or state authorities in Michigan.
In addition, the inspector general also stated that in 2016, Los Angeles agents began an investigation against Nassar and interviewed several victims but did not alert Michigan authorities.
“Dead Silence”
Police arrested Nassar in the fall of 2016 during an investigation. The Michigan Attorney General’s office took over assault charges against Nassar. Federal prosecutors in Grand Rapids, Michigan, filed a child pornography case against the former doctor.
FBI Director Christopher Wray highlighted the heavily flawed management of the investigation when he spoke to Congress in 2021.
“I’m especially sorry that there were people at the FBI who had their chance to stop this monster back in 2015 and failed. And that’s inexcusable,” Wray told victims at a Senate hearing.
During the hearing, Simon Biles also stated that an “entire system” enabled the abuse. Meanwhile, Maroney recalled “dead silence” when she spoke to FBI agents.
In May, the Justice Department announced that they will not pursue criminal charges against former agents accused of giving incorrect or incomplete responses during the inspector general’s investigation.
Michigan State University also agreed to pay $500 million to more than 300 women he assaulted. The USA Gymnastics, U.S. Olympics, and Paralympic Committee also made a $380 million settlement.
Ex-Team USA Olympics Doctor Larry Nassar Receives 175 Years: “I Just Signed Your Death Warrant”
Ex-Team USA Olympics doctor Larry Nassar will be spending the rest of his life behind bars. A judge sentenced him to nearly 200 years in jail for a slew of sexual assault and abuse charges.
After a week-long publicized trial, Nassar finally had his sentence delivered on Wednesday, January 24, 2018, in a Michigan court.
Olympics Star Simone Biles Breaks Silence On Jailed Team Doctor’s Sexual Attacks
Olympics superstar Simone Biles has broken her silence. She is now stepping forward to address ex-team USA coach Larry Nassar’s horrific sexual attacks on her and her teammates.
Lastly, the then-20-year-old athlete came forward on Twitter to confront Nassar about his serial assaults and demanded answers.
