The world of gymnastics will never be the same…
As we reported in October, McKayla Maroney revealed on Twitter that she was repeatedly sexually abused by USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar since the age of 13.
Following the gymnast’s shocking post, former teammates Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas have also accused the disgraced physician of assault.
Although USA Gymnastics released a statement saying they were “outraged and disgusted” by Nassar’s alleged crimes against Maroney, the 22-year-old claims the organization actually tried to block her story from coming out.
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On Wednesday, the gold medalist filed a lawsuit in California’s Superior Court accusing USAG of making her sign a non-disclosure agreement as part of a financial settlement she needed to pay for psychological treatment.
According to court papers, the group allegedly insisted on an NDA so “it could further conceal and shield from public scrutiny, outside investigation, and law enforcement, the true nature of Nassar’s horrific sexual abuse of minors.”
Additionally:
“Plaintiff alleges that Defendant USAG had a plan to keep the sexual abuse of Nassar quiet, and allow Nassar to quietly leave USAG, further silencing his victims.”
Maroney’s attorney John Manly tells NBC News:
“Those responsible for this should be removed from the Olympic movement and USA Gymnastics… If they would treat one of the most famous athletes in world like this, how poorly would they treat a recreational gymnast abused by her coach.”
Allegedly, in California where Maroney lives, a victim of child sexual abuse cannot be forced to sign such an agreement as part of a settlement.
Maroney is also fearful that Nassar took explicit photographs of her during the alleged assault. The lawsuit says:
“McKayla Maroney alleges that she believes photographs were taken of her while Nassar was sexually abusing her under the guise of treatment. McKayla Maroney is further informed and believes, and on that basis alleges, that these photographs were shared by Nassar with other pedophiles for their sexual gratification… McKayla Maroney continues to worry, distress, experience concern, anxiety, and depression over whether Nassar’s photographs of her are still circulating through the internet, and whether they are possessed by other pedophiles and sexual deviants, and whether she will ever know how widely these photographs have been shared or whether they will eventually surface later in her lifetime.”
She is seeking damages from USA Gymnastics, the U.S. Olympic Committee, Michgan State University, and Nassar.
As we reported earlier this month, the controversial doctor was sentenced to 60 years in federal prison on child pornography possession charges.
We will continue to keep you updated.
[Image via WENN.]
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