Victims of Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse agreed to stay silent on two bills before the Michigan legislature in exchange for a $500 million settlement from Michigan State University, Deadspin reported Friday.
Lawyers representing the 332 current and former gymnasts — almost entirely female and victimized by the former Michigan State and Team USA gymnastics doctor — announced the payout Wednesday. A total of $425 million will be split among the victims, and $75 million will be set aside for any more that come forward. (RELATED: Larry Nassar Victims Reach $500 Million Settlement With Michigan State University)
As part of the settlement, Nassar’s victims agreed to cease advocating for two bills currently being fought over in Michigan’s State Legislature. The bills would eliminate government immunity in cases involving the sexual abuse of children, according to Deadspin.
“The victims continue to support statute of limitations reform, et cetera,” the vctims’ attorney, John Manly, told Deadspin. “The only area they agreed not to pursue actively was the bills dealing with governmental immunity.”
“The truth is, nothing was given up,” Manly added after saying the government immunity bills were not likely to pass. The settlement does not apply to any future bills possibly introduced to the legislature concerning government immunity.
Nassar was sentenced to no less than four decades in prison for his abuse, which spanned decades as Michigan State and Team USA officials ignored or buried multiple complaints from victims. (RELATED: Dirty Gymnastics Doc Sentenced To 40 To 175 Years In Prison)
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