Report: USA Gymnastics Initially Covered up Larry Nassar Was Under Investigation

Excuses were made to explain Nassar’s absence from major events in 2015.

Larry Nassar (R) speaks to attorney after arriving in court. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Larry Nassar (R) speaks to attorney after arriving in court. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Getty Images

In 2015, USA Gymnastics concocted stories to cover up why Larry Nassar was absent from major events in the run-up to the 2016 Olympics on two separate occasions.

Emails obtained by the IndyStar reveal Nassar and a lawyer for USA Gymnastics claimed Nassar was sick and then that he was focusing on his private practice to explain why he was missing instead of explaining he was under investigation for sexually assaulting athletes.

The content of the emails shows USA Gymnastics was willing to help preserve Nassar’s public reputation even after the national governing body had privately reported him to the FBI.

Thanks to that discretion, Nassar was not added to USA Gymnastics’ banned list and he was able to continue working at an organization member gym and at Michigan State University.

“These facts are stunning,” Marci Hamilton, the CEO of child abuse and neglect group CHILD USA, told the IndyStar. “Any organization that serves youth and has notice that there is an abusive adult dealing with the organization’s youth has a duty to protect those children. USAG’s failure to notify the athletes when they knew he was suspended and under investigation is reckless.”

Nassar is in prison for life for crimes including sexual assault and possession of child pornography.

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