Friday, May 25, 2018
Associated Press
INDIANAPOLIS
USA Gymnastics agreed to use false excuses in 2015 to account for the absence of sports doctor Larry Nassar, who had been accused of sexually abusing female athletes, according to emails obtained by a newspaper.
Nassar suggested that USA Gymnastics tell people that he couldn’t attend two major events that summer because he was sick or needed to focus on his work at Michigan State University, the Indianapolis Star reported Thursday.
“We’ll let Ron know to advise people that you weren’t feeling well and decided to stay home,” Scott Himsel, an attorney hired by USA Gymnastics, replied, referring to Ron Galimore, chief operating officer.
USA Gymnastics, which trains Olympians, is accused of covering up assault allegations against Nassar. The group didn’t tell Michigan State or elite gymnastics clubs about complaints against him in 2015.
USA Gymnastics and Himsel declined to comment on the Star story. The group has said it didn’t disclose the Nassar investigation to others based on guidance from the FBI.
Meanwhile, more than two dozen proposed laws sparked by the sexual-abuse scandal involving Nassar sailed through the Michigan House on Thursday, including bills that would grant childhood sex-assault victims more time to sue and require athletic trainers to report suspected abuse.
Gov. Rick Snyder supports the 27-bill bipartisan package.
Some measures could win final Senate approval next week, while others may be held depending on what Senate leaders decide.