Woman whose complaint triggered Nassar probe sues doc
A woman whose complaint about a campus sports doctor led to an internal investigation at Michigan State University has filed a lawsuit, accusing him of assault during the 2014 visit.
The investigation by Michigan State led to restrictions on Dr. Larry Nassar, but he was fired in 2016 for violating them.
The woman, identified as Jane AAA Doe, sued Monday in federal court. She’s among dozens of women and girls who accuse Nassar of assaulting them during treatments for various ailments. He worked at Michigan State and also served as doctor for USA Gymnastics, which trains Olympians. He denies the allegations.
After an investigation, Doe was told by Michigan State that she didn’t understand the nuances of certain medical procedures.
Last week, 20 new plaintiffs joined a lawsuit against Nassar, alleging they also were sexually abused. The plaintiffs filed an amended complaint in federal court in Grand Rapids, bringing the total to more than 70 plaintiffs suing MSU and Nassar in state or federal courts.
The list of plaintiffs — current or former athletes who competed in gymnastics, swimming, figure skating, track and field, field hockey, basketball, tennis and soccer — are suing MSU, Nassar, USA Gymnastics and Twistars, a club southwest of East Lansing whose officials referred athletes to Nassar’s care. The plaintiffs, mostly minors at the time, allege Nassar assaulted them from 1996 to 2016.
The complaint alleges MSU, USA Gymnastics and Twistars failed to enforce policies against sexual harassment and assault or lacked adequate policies.
Nassar, 53, was a highly regarded physician at MSU and USA Gymnastics until September, when allegations emerged that he treated injured athletes with a procedure that involved him digitally penetrating female patients without a glove, lubricant or consent.
Simultaneously, MSU police are investigating more than 90 complaints.
Nassar is being held without bond and awaiting trial on three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a person younger than 13, punishable by up to life in prison. He has pleaded not guilty.
The Associated Press contributed.