McKayla Maroney Sues USA Gymnastics and US Olympic Committee, Alleges Use of Settlement
to Conceal Abuse, McKayla Maroney has filed a new lawsuit aimed
at USA Gymnastics, Michigan State University and the United States Olympic Committee, claiming
the two entities used a confidential settlement to cover up alleged abuse by former national
team doctor, Larry Nassar, and were negligent in preventing him from sexually abusing minor
gymnasts.
In the lawsuit filed on Dec. 20 in Los Angeles, the 22-year-old Olympic gold medalist named
Michigan State University, the United States Olympic Committee, USA Gymnastics and Larry
Nassar as defendants in suit and is seeking damages for a handful of claims, including
sexual harassment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, breach of fiduciary
duty and negligence.
She has requested a jury trial.
According to the court documents obtained by E! News, Maroney alleged that MSU and USOC
knew that Nassar was performing "purported medical treatments" on minor children, including
Maroney, and "knew that Nassar had complaints pertaining to these purported medical treatments
(which were disguised, sexually abusive acts) but nonetheless allowed Nassar to continue
working for USAG and...USOC...without any prior warning, protection, or remedial steps
taken to limit his access to minor children," the documents state.
"Despite having the power, authority, and mandate to do so, the Defendants USOC and
MSU never intervened to discipline Nassar, ensure that USAG and Nassar were following
USOC rules and mandates, never called law enforcement for allegations made against Nassar,
and through the express disregard for the safety of minors, allowed Nassar to continue
in his position of trust, power and access to McKayla Maroney as well as numerous other
elite minor athletes who competed with McKayla Maroney," the papers read.
In the documents, Maroney also claimed Nassar was informally disciplined by USAG for taking
an "inordinate number of photos" of young gymnasts, but was allegedly not further investigated
or reported to law enforcement, parents or gymnasts.
In the lawsuit, the gymnast also alleged she was "forced to enter into a confidential [settlement]
with Defendant USAG" in December 2016, which was, according to the documents, in violation
of California law.
At the time, she claimed she was suffering from psychological trauma as a result of Nassar's
alleged abuse and needed funds to pay for treatment.
She claimed in the lawsuit that the confidentiality provision in the settlement was forced upon
her so that "the defendant USAG could further conceal and shield from public scrutiny, outside
investigation, and law enforcement the true nature of of Nassar's horrific sexual abuse
of minors...the Plaintiff alleges that Defendant USAG had a plan to keep the sexual abuse of
Nassar quiet, and allow Nassar to quietly leave USAG, further silencing his victims."
However, USA Gymnastics told E! News in a statement that the "concept of confidentiality
was initiated by McKayla's attorney, not USA Gymnastics."
"USA Gymnastics learned today from media reports that McKayla Maroney has filed a lawsuit against
it, the United States Olympic Committee and Michigan State University related to abuse
by Larry Nassar.
That filing apparently seeks to nullify provisions in a prior settlement agreement between USA
Gymnastics and McKayla.
Contrary to reports, the concept of confidentiality was initiated by McKayla's attorney, not USA
Gymnastics," USA Gymnastics said in a statement.
"In 2016, McKayla's attorney at the time, Gloria Allred, approached USA Gymnastics,
requesting that the organization participate in a confidential mediation process.
USA Gymnastics cannot speak to the mediation process, which is confidential and privileged
under California law.
The process culminated in a settlement agreement that included a mutual non-disclosure clause
and a mutual non-disparagement clause.
The settlement in 2016 was in accordance with state law, despite what has been alleged.
At all times, McKayla was represented by Allred, a California-based attorney, who actively
negotiated and approved the settlement agreement signed by McKayla," the statement continued.
"Although USA Gymnastics is disappointed by today's filing, we applaud McKayla and others
who speak up against abusive behavior -- including the despicable acts of Larry Nassar.
We want to work together with McKayla and others to help encourage and empower athletes
to speak up against abuse.
USA Gymnastics new CEO Kerry Perry is eager to speak personally with McKayla to hear her
ideas on how to move the sport forward and to discuss the many safe sport enhancements
that have already been implemented at USA Gymnastics."



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