US Justice Department To Pay $139M To Nassar Victims Over FBI Probe Fallout

The US Justice Department said Tuesday it will pay nearly $139 million to victims of former physician and USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar for the FBI's failure to probe the physician's sexual abuses.

Nassar, who abused hundreds of victims for nearly two decades until his arrest in 2016 by the state of Michigan, carried out the abuse under the guise of medical treatments.

The agency said it reached settlements for 139 administrative claims stemming from allegations of sexual abuse by Nassar.

"These settlements will resolve administrative claims against the United States alleging that the FBI failed to conduct an adequate investigation of Nassar's conduct," it said.

In July 2021, the Department's Office of the Inspector General released a report that criticized aspects of the FBI's response to, and investigation of, allegations against the doctor.

"For decades, Lawrence Nassar abused his position, betraying the trust of those under his care and medical supervision while skirting accountability," said Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin Mizer.

"These allegations should have been taken seriously from the outset. While these settlements won't undo the harm Nassar inflicted, our hope is that they will help give the victims of his crimes some of the critical support they need to continue healing," said Mizer.

Nassar has been serving a 175-year prison sentence since 2018. More than 150 gymnasts and women accused him of molestation during a span of two decades.

A 2021 report from the Justice Department's watchdog said FBI officials probing the allegations, violated the agency's policies by making false statements and failing to properly document complaints by the victims. -