United States
United Kingdom
Summary
- U.S Gymnasts group together to sue the FBI for $1 billion
- Lawsuit claims FBI allowed U.S doctor Larry Nassar to abuse gymnasts
- FBI Director admitted in a Senate hearing that they were at fault
U.S doctor Larry Nassar made headlines across the globe in 2016 when he was arrested for abusing young U.S gymnasts in the guise of medically treating him.
Nassar’s abuse went on for years as he was the doctor in charge of the U.S gymnast team for over 18 years. Nassar admitted his crimes and was sentenced in 2018 to 40 to 175 years in prison.
FBI Did Not Stop Nassar Even Though They Knew
During the trial and investigation into Nassar’s abuse, reports surfaced that multiple institutions including Michigan State University where he worked and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) knew of his crimes but chose to ignore them or cover them up.
The FBI office in Indianapolis were accused of botching up the Larry Nassar investigation but the Department of Justice (DoJ) decided not to press any charges against the two FBI agents that handled the investigation.
Christopher Wray, FBI Director admitted to the Senate in 2021 that the FBI had information about Nassar in 2015 but failed in their responsibilities to stop him from continuing to abuse young women under his care. Wray admitted that the FBI’s lapse was inexcusable.
Over 90 Gymnasts Sue FBI For $1 Billion
More than 90 gymnasts have come forward in the last few years to admit that they were victims of sexual abuse suffered at the hands of Larry Nassar. Some of these gymnasts are top Olympic athletes such as Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, Simone Biles and McKayla Maroney. While they were given some justice in seeing Nassar being sentenced for the rest of his life, they are not happy to see the FBI get away with negligence.
Maroney spoke on behalf of her fellow gymnasts and said top organizations like the FBI, DoJ, USA Gymnastics and U.S. Olympic Committee were supposed to protect them but failed them badly. Maroney said they have decided to take the legal route to sue organizations that failed them as that was the only way they would get closure and healing.
The FBI has been hit with a $1 billion lawsuit that was filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act, which allows victims hurt by the Federal government legal access to get justice!
