Report: Michigan State Knew of Larry Nassar’s Sex Abuse Allegations as Early as 1997

More than a dozen Michigan State University officials appear to have been informed about USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar’s sexual-abuse activity as long as 20 years before to his 2016 arrest. A Detroit News investigation has found that eight women had filed “reports of sexual misconduct” with the university about Nassar while he was an associate professor and sports team physician there, including a 16-year-old who reported him in 1997. The reports reached at least 14 MSU representatives—including current university President Lou Anna Simon, as well as “athletic trainers, assistant coaches, a university police detective, and an official who is now MSU’s assistant general counsel.” Accounts reviewed as part of the investigation show school officials had missed “multiple opportunities” to intervene. Nassar, who has admitted to using “his position as a trusted medical professional to sexually abuse young girls,” has faced allegations from more than 140 young female gymnasts, including Olympians McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman, and Simone Biles.