Larry Nassar, USA Gymnastics and Michigan State
The sports doctor who abused hundreds of athletes, the institutions that failed to stop him, and the record settlements and reforms that followed.
84 developments, 2016–2024, oldest first.
2016
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IndyStar investigation finds USA Gymnastics failed to report abuse complaints against coaches
An Indianapolis Star investigation reported that USA Gymnastics routinely failed to alert authorities to sexual misconduct complaints against coaches. The series prompted the first public accusations against team doctor Larry Nassar.
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Former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar accused of sexual abuse by two gymnasts
Former gymnast Rachael Denhollander and an unnamed Olympic medalist accused longtime national team physician Larry Nassar of sexually abusing them during treatments. Nassar denied wrongdoing.
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Michigan State University fires Larry Nassar amid abuse allegations
Michigan State University fired Nassar, a faculty physician, after allegations from gymnasts and other patients. The university said he had violated requirements imposed after an earlier complaint.
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More women come forward with abuse allegations against Nassar
Additional former patients, including athletes treated at Michigan State, came forward alleging abuse by Nassar. Police and the university opened investigations.
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Michigan attorney general files first sexual assault charges against Nassar
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette charged Nassar with criminal sexual conduct involving a minor, calling the case the tip of the iceberg. Nassar pleaded not guilty.
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IndyStar finds 368 gymnasts alleged sexual abuse over 20 years
A follow-up IndyStar investigation documented allegations from at least 368 gymnasts against coaches and other adults across the U.S. gymnastics system over two decades.
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Nassar indicted on federal child pornography charges
A federal grand jury in Michigan indicted Nassar on charges of receiving and possessing child sexual abuse images, after agents seized material from his home.
2017
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Michigan State gymnastics coach Kathie Klages resigns over Nassar fallout
Longtime MSU gymnastics coach Kathie Klages resigned after being suspended, while denying she knew of abuse by Nassar.
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MSU gymnasts say they were told not to talk to police about Nassar
A Michigan State gymnast alleged that team members were discouraged from speaking to police investigating Nassar, raising questions about the university's response.
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USA Gymnastics says it alerted the FBI to Nassar in 2015
USA Gymnastics disclosed that it reported concerns about Nassar to the FBI in mid-2015, more than a year before he was publicly accused, raising questions about the bureau's handling.
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Former national team gymnasts describe Nassar abuse on 60 Minutes
Former U.S. national team gymnasts, including Olympian Jamie Dantzscher, publicly alleged on 60 Minutes that Nassar abused them and that the national team environment enabled it.
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Nassar faces 22 additional sexual assault charges in Michigan
Michigan prosecutors filed 22 more counts of criminal sexual conduct against Nassar in Ingham and Eaton counties, involving patients he treated at MSU and a local gym.
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Judge orders release of USA Gymnastics sexual misconduct complaint files
A judge granted the IndyStar's request to unseal USA Gymnastics files on complaints against coaches, showing how the organization handled years of allegations.
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USA Gymnastics president Steve Penny resigns
Steve Penny resigned as president and CEO of USA Gymnastics under pressure from the U.S. Olympic Committee over the organization's handling of abuse complaints.
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Senate Judiciary hearing hears gymnasts testify on abuse in Olympic sports
Former gymnasts including Olympians Dominique Moceanu and Jamie Dantzscher testified at a Senate Judiciary hearing on protecting young athletes, describing abuse by Nassar and institutional failures. The hearing supported legislation on mandatory reporting.
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Michigan board suspends Nassar's medical license
Michigan's osteopathic medicine licensing board revoked Nassar's medical license for at least three years while criminal cases were pending.
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New lawsuits against Nassar and MSU include allegations dating to 1992
Four more complaints were filed in the growing civil litigation against Nassar, Michigan State and others, with one alleging abuse as early as 1992.
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Accusers testify against Nassar at preliminary examination
Three women testified at a preliminary hearing in Ingham County, after which Nassar was ordered to stand trial on state sexual assault charges.
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Nassar pleads guilty to federal child pornography charges
Nassar pleaded guilty in federal court in Grand Rapids to three child pornography counts as part of a plea agreement.
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Olympic champion McKayla Maroney says Nassar abused her
Olympic gold medalist McKayla Maroney said in a #MeToo post that Nassar abused her for years, beginning when she was on the national team.
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Olympic captain Aly Raisman says she was abused by Nassar
Two-time Olympic team captain Aly Raisman said publicly that Nassar abused her and criticized USA Gymnastics' response.
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Senate passes bill requiring amateur sports bodies to report sexual abuse
The Senate passed legislation requiring Olympic governing bodies and their members to promptly report suspected abuse and strengthening the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
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Gabby Douglas says she was also abused by Nassar
Olympic all-around champion Gabby Douglas said she too had been abused by the national team doctor.
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Nassar pleads guilty to criminal sexual conduct in Ingham County
Nassar pleaded guilty to seven counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in Ingham County, admitting to abusing patients under the guise of treatment.
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Nassar pleads guilty to three more sexual assault counts in Eaton County
Nassar pleaded guilty to three additional counts in Eaton County related to abuse at the Twistars gymnastics club.
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Nassar sentenced to 60 years in federal prison on child pornography counts
A federal judge sentenced Nassar to the maximum 60 years in prison on the child pornography charges, to be served before any state sentences.
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Maroney lawsuit says USA Gymnastics used a confidentiality deal to silence her
McKayla Maroney sued USA Gymnastics, the U.S. Olympic Committee and Michigan State, alleging a 2016 settlement with a nondisclosure clause was used to keep her abuse quiet.
2018
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Maggie Nichols says she was first to report Nassar to USA Gymnastics
Elite gymnast Maggie Nichols revealed she was the athlete whose 2015 report first alerted USA Gymnastics to Nassar, and said she was discouraged from speaking out.
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Simone Biles says she was abused by Nassar
Four-time Olympic champion Simone Biles said she was among the athletes abused by Nassar and called for accountability from USA Gymnastics.
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Nassar sentencing hearing opens with victim impact statements
Judge Rosemarie Aquilina opened a multi-day sentencing hearing in Ingham County at which more than 150 survivors ultimately gave statements.
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Detroit News: at least 14 MSU representatives were warned about Nassar
A Detroit News investigation found that at least 14 Michigan State employees, including coaches and trainers, received reports about Nassar over two decades, and that President Lou Anna Simon was told of a 2014 complaint.
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USA Gymnastics cuts ties with Karolyi Ranch training center
USA Gymnastics ended its agreement to use the Karolyi Ranch in Texas as the national team training center, where athletes said Nassar abused them.
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Olympian Jordyn Wieber says she was also abused by Nassar
Olympic gold medalist Jordyn Wieber disclosed in court during the sentencing hearing that Nassar had abused her.
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Top USA Gymnastics board members resign
USA Gymnastics' chairman, vice chairman and treasurer resigned amid mounting criticism during Nassar's sentencing hearing.
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Nassar sentenced to 40 to 175 years in state prison
Judge Aquilina sentenced Nassar to 40 to 175 years in prison in Ingham County after a week of survivor testimony.
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Michigan State President Lou Anna Simon resigns
Simon resigned under pressure from lawmakers, survivors and faculty over the university's handling of complaints about Nassar.
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Entire USA Gymnastics board agrees to resign after USOC demand
The remaining USA Gymnastics directors agreed to step down after the U.S. Olympic Committee threatened to decertify the organization.
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ESPN reports pattern of denial and inaction at Michigan State
An Outside the Lines investigation reported that Michigan State had a broader pattern of mishandling sexual assault complaints across its athletics programs.
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Michigan attorney general launches investigation into MSU
Michigan's attorney general announced an independent investigation into how Michigan State handled complaints about Nassar.
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House passes Safe Sport bill on mandatory abuse reporting
The House approved the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act, which became law in February 2018.
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Former governor John Engler named interim MSU president
Michigan State trustees chose former Michigan governor John Engler as interim president following Simon's resignation, a choice some survivors opposed.
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Nassar sentenced to 40 to 125 years in Eaton County
Judge Janice Cunningham imposed a third prison sentence on Nassar for abuse at the Twistars gym, concluding his criminal cases.
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Michigan State moves to fire former medical dean William Strampel
MSU began proceedings to fire William Strampel, Nassar's former dean at the College of Osteopathic Medicine, over his oversight of Nassar.
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Trump signs Safe Sport Act requiring Olympic bodies to report abuse
The Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act became law, requiring amateur sports bodies to promptly report abuse allegations and authorizing the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
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USOC chief executive Scott Blackmun resigns amid Nassar fallout
Scott Blackmun stepped down as CEO of the U.S. Olympic Committee, citing health problems, as the committee faced criticism over its response to the Nassar abuse.
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Aly Raisman sues U.S. Olympic Committee and USA Gymnastics
Raisman filed suit alleging the USOC and USA Gymnastics knew or should have known about Nassar's abuse and failed to stop it.
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Michigan State agrees to $500 million settlement with Nassar survivors
MSU agreed to pay $500 million to settle claims from 332 people, the largest settlement of its kind involving a university.
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Former USA Gymnastics chief Steve Penny invokes the Fifth before Senate panel
At a Senate subcommittee hearing on the Nassar case, Penny declined to answer questions, while Lou Anna Simon and other officials testified.
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Olympians Kyla Ross and Madison Kocian say Nassar abused them
Two members of U.S. Olympic teams said publicly that they were also among Nassar's victims.
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USA Gymnastics CEO Kerry Perry resigns after nine months
Kerry Perry resigned as USA Gymnastics president and CEO under pressure from the U.S. Olympic Committee and survivors, who criticized her handling of the organization's recovery from the Nassar scandal.
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Judge denies Nassar's request for a new sentencing hearing
An Eaton County judge rejected Nassar's bid for resentencing and a new judge, which argued his sentences were tainted by bias.
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Former USA Gymnastics CEO Steve Penny arrested on evidence tampering charge
Penny was arrested on a Texas indictment accusing him of removing documents from the Karolyi Ranch related to the Nassar investigation.
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U.S. Olympic Committee moves to revoke USA Gymnastics' governing status
The USOC began proceedings to decertify USA Gymnastics as the sport's national governing body over its handling of the Nassar crisis.
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Former MSU President Lou Anna Simon charged with lying to police
Simon was charged with lying to state police investigators about what she knew of a 2014 complaint against Nassar. She denied wrongdoing.
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USA Gymnastics files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
USA Gymnastics filed for bankruptcy protection in Indianapolis, pausing hundreds of lawsuits from Nassar survivors and the USOC decertification process.
2019
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John Engler resigns as Michigan State interim president
Engler resigned under pressure after comments about Nassar survivors drew widespread condemnation.
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Twistars gymnastics club settles Nassar lawsuits for $2.1 million
The Michigan gym owned by former Olympic coach John Geddert, where Nassar treated athletes, agreed to a $2.1 million settlement with survivors.
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Jury convicts former MSU dean William Strampel of misconduct and neglect of duty
A jury found former osteopathic medicine dean William Strampel, Nassar's supervisor, guilty of misconduct in office and willful neglect of duty, while acquitting him of a criminal sexual conduct charge. He was the first MSU official convicted in connection with Nassar.
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Former MSU dean Strampel sentenced to one year in jail
William Strampel received a one-year jail sentence for misconduct in office and neglect of duty, including failing to enforce restrictions placed on Nassar after a 2014 complaint.
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Education Department fines Michigan State record $4.5 million over Nassar Clery failures
The U.S. Department of Education imposed a $4.5 million fine, the largest ever under the Clery Act, finding Michigan State failed to properly respond to sexual misconduct reports including those involving Nassar.
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Attorney general's investigation of MSU's Nassar handling suspended
Michigan's attorney general halted the state's inquiry into Michigan State after the university refused to release privileged documents.
2020
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Police search home and gym of coach John Geddert
Investigators searched the home and former gym of Geddert, the 2012 Olympic women's coach who worked closely with Nassar.
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USA Gymnastics settlement proposal includes Twistars and Geddert contributions
A proposed USA Gymnastics bankruptcy settlement with Nassar survivors included added payments from Twistars and the Gedderts; survivors did not accept the initial plan.
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Former MSU gymnastics coach Kathie Klages convicted of lying to police
A jury convicted former Michigan State gymnastics coach Kathie Klages of lying to police about when she learned of complaints against Nassar.
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Judge dismisses charges against former MSU President Simon
An Eaton County judge dismissed the charges against Simon, finding insufficient evidence that she lied to investigators.
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Klages sentenced to 90 days in jail in Nassar-related case
A judge sentenced Kathie Klages to 90 days in jail and probation for lying to investigators about her knowledge of complaints against Nassar.
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Empowering Athletes Act strengthens oversight of U.S. Olympic system
A federal law enacted in late 2020 gave Congress power to dissolve the USOPC board and decertify governing bodies, and increased funding for the U.S. Center for SafeSport.
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Appeals court rejects Nassar's bid for a new sentencing hearing
The Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that Judge Aquilina's comments did not show bias and denied Nassar's request for resentencing.
2021
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Former Olympic coach John Geddert charged, then dies by suicide
Michigan's attorney general charged Geddert with human trafficking, sexual assault and other crimes; he was found dead hours later.
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Michigan attorney general closes MSU probe after university keeps Nassar documents privileged
Attorney General Dana Nessel ended her office's investigation of Michigan State's handling of Nassar after the university declined to waive attorney-client privilege over thousands of documents.
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DOJ inspector general finds FBI badly mishandled Nassar allegations
The Justice Department inspector general found the FBI's Indianapolis office made fundamental errors after learning of Nassar allegations in 2015, failing to act promptly or notify authorities, and that officials later gave inaccurate accounts.
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Biles, Maroney, Raisman and Nichols testify to Senate about FBI failures
Four elite gymnasts told the Senate Judiciary Committee the FBI ignored and mishandled their reports, following a Justice Department inspector general report criticizing agents; FBI Director Christopher Wray apologized.
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Nassar survivors reach $380 million settlement with USA Gymnastics and USOPC
A bankruptcy judge approved a $380 million settlement among USA Gymnastics, the USOPC, their insurers and hundreds of survivors, ending the bankruptcy case.
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Michigan appeals court overturns Klages conviction
The Michigan Court of Appeals reversed Kathie Klages' conviction, finding insufficient evidence that her false statements were material to the Nassar investigation.
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Appeals court upholds dismissal of charges against Simon
The Michigan Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal of charges against Simon and criticized the prosecution's investigation.
2022
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Texas prosecutors drop evidence-tampering charge against ex-USA Gymnastics CEO Steve Penny
Walker County, Texas prosecutors dismissed the tampering charge against Steve Penny over documents removed from the Karolyi Ranch, citing insufficient evidence. Penny had pleaded not guilty.
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Nassar survivors file claims against the FBI
Dozens of survivors filed administrative claims against the FBI over its mishandling of 2015 reports about Nassar, the first step toward suing the federal government.
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Justice Department declines to charge FBI agents over Nassar probe
The Justice Department said it would not prosecute two former FBI agents faulted by the inspector general over the Nassar investigation, saying the evidence was insufficient while not endorsing their conduct.
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About 90 gymnasts including Biles and Raisman seek $1 billion from FBI
Around 90 survivors, including Simone Biles, Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney, filed administrative claims totaling more than $1 billion against the FBI over its failure to stop Nassar after 2015 reports.
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Michigan Supreme Court declines review, ending Klages prosecution
The Michigan Supreme Court denied the attorney general's request to review the reversal of Kathie Klages' conviction, leaving the conviction vacated.
2023
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Nassar stabbed by another inmate in federal prison
Nassar was stabbed multiple times by another inmate at a federal prison in Florida and was hospitalized in stable condition.
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Nassar survivors sue Michigan State over withheld documents
Survivors sued MSU alleging trustees held secret votes on whether to release about 6,000 Nassar-related documents, in violation of open meetings and records laws.
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MSU trustees vote to release Nassar documents to the attorney general
Michigan State's board voted to waive privilege and release thousands of Nassar-related documents to the attorney general's office after years of pressure from survivors.
2024
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Justice Department agrees to $138.7 million settlement over FBI's Nassar failures
The Justice Department agreed to pay $138.7 million to resolve claims from 139 people who said the FBI's failure to act on 2015 reports allowed Nassar's abuse to continue.