Gymnast Maroney Won’t Be Fined For Speaking Out Against Nassar

Olympic gymnast McKayla Maroney hasn’t been quiet about her abuse at the hands of convicted pedophile Larry Nassar, a former USA Gymnastics doctor whose victims are confronting him during an extraordinary four-day sentencing hearing in Michigan this week. USA Gymnastics said Tuesday it won’t fine Maroney, even though she signed a non-disclosure agreement carrying a fine of $100,000 or more when she settled with the organization for $1.25 million in 2016.

Maroney, who won gold and silver medals in the 2012 Olympic Games in London, broke her silence in October as the #MeToo movement was beginning to gain steam. She said Nassar began abusing her when she was 13 under the guise of “medically necessary treatment that he had been performing on patients for over 30 years” and the so-called treatments didn’t end until she left the sport.

“It seemed whenever and wherever this man could find the chance, I was ‘treated,' ” Maroney wrote in a statement revealing the abuse she endured. “It happened in London before my team and I won the gold medal, and it happened before I won my silver.”

Maroney’s “Fierce Five” teammates Aly Raisman and Gabby Davis have also said Nassar sexually abused them. This week, Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles joined the long list of women who have accused Nassar.
Nassar, 54, already has been sentenced to 60 years in prison on federal pornography charges, and he could get at least 40 more years when Judge Rosemarie E. Aquilina hands down sentencing on Friday on seven first-degree criminal sexual abuse charges.

One by one, Nassar’s victims are confronting Nassar in the court hearing in Michigan’s Ingham County Circuit Court, telling chilling stories of abuse at Nassar’s hands when they were just little girls. Maroney could be one of them after USA Gymnastics said it won’t fine her.

The move by USA Gymnastics came after supermodel Chrissy Teigen offered to pay Maroney’s fine if she decides to speak at the hearing. “The entire principle of this should be fought — an NDA to stay quiet about this serial monster with over 140 accusers, but I would be absolutely honored to pay this fine for you, McKayla.” Teigen tweeted.

“I’m shocked by your generosity, and I just want you to know how much hope your words bring to all of us!” Maroney said in a statement released by her lawyer, John Manly. “I just can’t get over the fact that someone I don’t personally know is sticking up for me, let alone a strong women that I’ve looked up to for years!”

After Teigen’s offer to pay the fine, USA Gymnastics said hasn’t and won’t seek any money from Maroney for speaking out.

"USA Gymnastics has not sought and will not seek any money from McKayla Maroney for her brave statements made in describing her victimization and abuse by Larry Nassar, nor for any victim impact statements she wants to make to Larry Nassar at this hearing or at any subsequent hearings related to his sentencing,” the organization said in a statement to USA Today. “This has been her right and USA Gymnastics encourages McKayla and anyone who has been abused to speak out. USA Gymnastics remains focused on our highest priority — the safety, health and well-being of our athletes and creating a culture that empowers and supports them."

As many as 85 women are giving victim impact statements against Nassar, who has been accused of sexual molestation by at least 140 girls and women. In addition to pleading guilty in Michigan's Ingham County, Nassar also pleaded guilty in nearby Eaton County to three first-degree criminal sexual abuse charges stemming from assaults that occurred at the Twistars gymnastics club. He faces civil lawsuits as well.

Larry Nassar Sentencing: Watch The Live Stream

(AP Photo/Elise Amendola,File)