Victim's Attorneys Manly, Stewart & Finaldi And Alleged Nassar Victims Blast Federal Plea Deal

IRVINE, Calif., July 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- A plea deal that protects Dr. Larry Nassar from federal sexual assault charges in return for a guilty plea on child pornography charges has drawn an angry response from a number of his alleged victims and their attorneys.
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A hearing on this matter has been scheduled tomorrow, July 11^th at 10:30 am before Federal District Judge Janet Neff in the Western District of Michigan.
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Under the agreement Nassar would plead guilty to receipt of child pornography, possession of child pornography and the destruction and concealment of child pornography. In return for his guilty plea on these charges he will receive a reduced sentence which could be as little as five years, according to press reports.

In addition, the plea contains a "non-prosecution agreement" which states, "The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Michigan agrees not to further prosecute the defendant for (1) sexual exploitation and attempted sexual exploitation of children, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2251, related to conduct that is alleged to have occured in the defendant's swimming pool in the Summer of 2015 involving Child1 and Child2, (minors whose identities are known to the United States and the defendant), and (2) interstate/international travel with intent and engaging in illicit sexual conduct in foreign places, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2423(b) and (c), related to conduct that is alleged to have occurred between 2006 and 2013 involving Child3 and Child4 (persons whose identities are known to the United States and the defendant)."

John Manly — a California-based attorney who represents more than 100 women in lawsuits that accuse Nassar of sexually assaulting them — said that U.S. Attorney's office officials recently met or spoke with nine of his clients who were gymnasts either on the national or Olympics teams.

Manly's clients include Olympic Bronze Medalist Jamie Dantzscher, former National Team members Jeanette Antolin and Mattie Larson and former US National Champion Rhythmic Gymnast Jessica Howard.

"It's outrageous," said Manly. "They never consulted the victims or their attorneys before making this deal. To let Nassar get away with this sends the message to victims that their allegations are not important and that the alleged assaults are not worth prosecuting. Frankly, my clients feel betrayed. When they told their stories to law enforcement, they trusted them. They were led to believe that Nassar would get 25 to 60 years in prison. This is a breach of trust."

Mr. Manly pointed out that many of these women were allegedly abused by Nassar while competing in foreign nations and the US Justice Department is the only American law enforcement agency with the authority to prosecute these alleged crimes.

"My view is that any young women Nassar allegedly abused, especially when they were competing for our country, ought to have their day in court if they want it," Manly said.

Jeanette Antolin, a member of the US National Gymnastics Team from 1995-2000, reacted angrily to the plea agreement after meeting with FBI and Justice Department officials in Los Angeles this morning.

Antolin, who alleged that Nassar repeatedly molested her while she was competing for the United States in international competitions held in Canada, Switzerland and China says she feels let down by the Federal Government.

"I sacrificed my childhood to compete for the United States throughout the world. The doctor they assigned to treat me betrayed my trust. Now the Federal Government is giving him a free pass for his alleged assaults on me and many other child athletes. That's not justice," said Ms. Antolin.

Manly, Stewart & Finaldi is California's leading law firm representing child victims of sexual abuse.  The firm has represented more than 150 victims of clergy sexual abuse in California and hundreds of others throughout the United States.  The firm also represented plaintiffs in the $140,000,000 settlement against LAUSD in the Miramonte case, the largest sex abuse settlement against a School District in the US.

SOURCE Manly, Stewart & Finaldi