More abuse allegations against former USA Gymnastics team physician
INDIANAPOLIS -- A former USA Gymnastics team physician accused of sexually abusing at least two gymnasts faces 16 more abuse complaints at the university where he was a faculty member, according to a newspaper report on Sunday.
The complaints date back to 1996, according to Michigan State University police logs obtained by The Indianapolis Star. Four of the women who filed reports with university police told the newspaper that Dr. Larry Nassar allegedly penetrated them with his finger during what were supposed to be medical treatments.
Nassar hasn’t been charged with a crime and denies wrongdoing. His attorneys, Matthew Newburg and Shannon Smith, said the doctor had used a legitimate medical procedure.
Police logs for the 16 complaints show the alleged abuse occurred at the MSU sports medicine clinic, where Nassar worked. One report lists Nassar’s home address. All of the reports were filed in September.
Nassar was fired from the university last week for not complying with “certain employment requirements,” according to a university spokesman.
Michigan State authorities have said they’re devoting significant resources to reviewing the accusations.
Additionally, police in Michigan are reviewing two earlier allegations about Nassar from 2004 and 2014, meaning there are at least 20 complaints overall. The women ranged from 13 to 20 years old when the alleged abuse began, according to the newspaper.
University officials said earlier this month that Nassar was investigated in 2014 when a graduate of the school filed a complaint. An administrative investigation found no violation of school policy, and the local prosecutor’s office did not file charges after an investigation by MSU police.
In September, Nassar was accused of sexually groping and fondling an Olympic gymnast in a lawsuit filed in California. Another woman filed a complaint last month with university police, alleging she was abused in 2000 while she underwent treatment for back pain.
According to the IndyStar, the women said in the early 1990s and early 2000s, they were molested during multiple treatments. One of the women said in addition to the fondling and groping, Nassar spoke about oral sex and made other inappropriate comments when they were alone, according to court records. The other woman said she told police Nassar was visibly aroused as he examined her during one medical visit, the IndyStar reported.
In addition, one woman said Nassar gradually became more abusive. The IndyStar reported that the woman said over five treatments, Nassar massaged her genitals, penetrated her vagina and anus with his finger and thumb and unhooked her bra and massaged her breasts
USA Gymnastics cut ties with Nassar when the organization’s president went to authorities after learning of athlete concerns about Nassar in the summer of 2015.