Doctor Lawrence G. Nassar, the former U.S. Olympics Gymnastics doctor who was accused of sexually abusing more than 190 athletes (including several high profile Olympic athletes) throughout his career, was sentenced to up to 175 years in prison on Wednesday following a week of testimony from his victims, multiple outlets are reporting.
“It is my honor and privilege to sentence you. You do not deserve to walk about outside a prison ever again,” Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, who presided over the case, said. “You have done nothing to control those urges and anywhere you walk, destruction will occur to the most vulnerable.” Aquilina also said that Nassar’s “decision to assault was precise, calculated, manipulative, devious, despicable.”
Nassar, 54, had previously received a 60-year federal prison sentence in December for child pornography charges, as ESPN noted.
Before his sentencing, the Former Michigan State University doctor addressed his victims, according to The Daily News: “Your words these past several days have had a significant emotional effect on myself. I will carry your words with me for the rest of my days,” Nassar said.
Judge Aquilina allowed more than 160 of Nassar’s victims to address him and the court with their victim impact statements, sharing both accounts of their assaults and their aftermath. Prosecutor Angela Povilaitis said that Nassar’s record of abusing his patients could count him as possibly the “most prolific serial sex abuser in history.”
As The New York Times noted, this case is far from over just because of the sentencing. So far, USA Gymnastics has seen resignations from their chairman and several board members following the outrage in the sports community. USA Gymnastics also canceled an upcoming training event and has discontinued their relationship with the Karolyi ranch, a site in Texas where several incidents of assault were said to have happened. Additionally, there have been calls for further investigation into the conduct of Michigan State University during Nassar’s tenure and a number of civil lawsuits filed.
USA Gym Board of Directors executive leadership – Chairman Paul Parilla, Vice Chairman Jay Binder & Treasurer Bitsy Kelley – tendered their resignations, effective Jan. 21, 2018. The Board of Directors will identify an interim chairperson until a permanent selection is named.
— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) January 22, 2018
In a statement from Kerry Perry, the new president and CEO for USA Gymnastics, Perry addressed the sentencing.
“During the last seven days, more than 150 courageous women have shared their deeply personal experiences and how Larry Nassar’s despicable crimes impacted their lives. I am profoundly saddened that a single woman, a single girl, a single athlete was hurt. USA Gymnastics applauds Judge Rosemarie Aquilina for handing Nassar the maximum sentence of up to 175 years, in an effort to bring justice to those he abused and punish him for his horrific behavior,” Perry said. “The powerful voices and strength of these survivors have left a lasting impression on all of us. Every day, their stories will impact my decisions as president and CEO.”
Perry said that she will continue to prioritize “the safety, health and well-being” of USA Gymnastics athletes moving forward.
“We will create a culture that empowers and supports them,” Perry said. “Our commitment is uncompromising, and it is my hope that everything we do going forward makes this very clear.”
Her Campus will continue to update this story as more develops.