Ex-MSU Gymnast Doc Larry Nassar Ordered To Trial On Sex Crimes

MASON, MI — Larry Nassar, the former Michigan State University sports doctor and Team USA gymnastics physicians dozens of women and girls have accused of sexually assaulting them under the guise of treatment, was ordered to stand trial on 12 counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, a judge in Mason, Michigan, ruled Friday.

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In this case, the third criminal trial in state and federal investigations that have turned up nearly 100 potential victims, Nassar is accused of molesting six young gymnasts who sought treatment for various injuries.

Assistant Attorney General Angela Poviliatis told Judge Donald Allen Jr. that Nassar "convinced these girls that this was some kind of legitimate treatment," the Associated Press reported.

"Why would they question him?" Poviliatis said. "Why would they question this gymnastics god."

A 40-minute video interview with Nassar conducted by Michigan State University Police in 2016 was shown during Nassar’s preliminary examination in 55th District Court. In it, he admitted that he sometimes became sexually aroused while examining gymnasts, but explained it as something that happens “when you’re a guy,” MLive.com reported.

“If there was an arousal, it would be because … when you’re a guy, sometimes you get an erection,” he said on the video. “I don’t understand why I’d have an erection while I’m doing a treatment. That’s really embarrassing.”

Nassar faces multiple counts of criminal charges in other state and federal courts, including federal pornography charges, and could go to prison for life if convicted. He is also named in civil lawsuits filed by about 100 women and girls, was fired by Michigan State University last year, left the USA Gymnastics with little notice before the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games and had his medical license revoked by the state of Michigan last month. Michigan State University Police are investigating about 100 complaints against Nassar.

Photo: Larry Nassar at his video arraignment on criminal sexual abuse charges. (AP Photo/David Eggert)