Victim's Attorneys Manly Stewart & Finaldi React To Admission By Women's Olympic Gymnastic Team Doctor

USA Gymnastics together with its coaches and trainers also named in sexual abuse lawsuit

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Sep 23, 2016, 04:12 ET

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 23, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorneys for "Jane J.D. Doe," a medal winning U.S. gymnast at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, reacted angrily to a statement by attorneys for former USA Gymnastics Team doctor Larry Nassar defending osteopathic treatments "involving vaginal penetration" on underage girls.

Dr. Larry Nassar's lawyers said in a statement reported by NBC News yesterday that the procedures were "medically accepted and appropriate treatments," according to doctors who practice osteopathic manipulation like him. The American Osteopathic Association, which represents 110,000 physicians, told NBC News that while a "small number" of osteopaths are trained to do intra-pelvic procedures, "it is not at all common."

On September 12, the Indianapolis Star reported a contradictory statement by Nassar's former attorney, "Nassar's attorney said that his client never used a procedure which involved penetration."

"The attempt by Dr. Nassar's new lawyers to justify his sexual abuse of children entrusted to his care is reprehensible. His so called "medically accepted and appropriate treatments' included putting his ungloved hand inside children's vaginal and rectal cavities without the knowledge or consent of their parents. Make no mistake, this was not medical treatment, this was sexual battery. Our client is not the only victim and others are already coming forward. My message to them is, come forward and contact law enforcement – you will be believed," said victim's attorney John Manly.

Manly, Stewart & Finaldi filed a lawsuit alleging that the USA Gymnastics team doctor groped and fondled the victim's private parts under the guise of performing osteopathic therapy.

The lawsuit further alleges that USA Gymnastics, the organization that hired the doctor, breached its duty to reveal the abuse to the victim's family, the U.S. Olympic Committee and law enforcement agencies.

Manly, Stewart & Finaldi are calling on USA Gymnastics, Michigan State University and the U.S. Olympic Committee to condemn Dr. Nassar's attempt to portray sexual assault as appropriate medical treatment.

Other women have filed complaints against Nassar with Michigan State police, according to law enforcement officials.

Nassar, who has not been charged with a crime, said he has explained his procedures to investigators.

"Dr. Nassar has never denied that he used medical techniques involving vaginal penetration and in fact, he provided the police with detailed information about the techniques he used to treat athletes and patients for decades," the statement from his attorneys said.

Jason Cody, a spokesman for Michigan State, said he could not comment on Nassar's claim about his techniques "as both our police and administrative investigation continues."

According to NBC News, "Although Nassar claims he retired from his role with USA Gymnastics, the sport's national governing body, the organization said it fired him in 2015 and notified law enforcement 'after learning of athlete concerns.'"

On Tuesday, September 20, 2016, Dr. Nassar was fired from his position at Michigan State University.

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