Small Victory: McKayla Maroney Among Larry Nassar Victims To Settle With Michigan State For $425M

McKayla Maroney is “determined to prevail” in her fight against Larry Nassar and officials with the USA Gymnastics and Olympic Committee as she moves her lawsuit to a California federal court, the Olympic gold medalist's attorney insisted in an exclusive interview with RadarOnline.com.

In December 2017, Maroney initially filed a civil suit in Los Angeles Superior Court against the disgraced U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team doctor, who has since been sentenced to serve 175 years in prison for sexually assaulting more than 300 victims under the guise of medical care.

Attorney John C. Manly said Maroney, 22, plans to drop Michigan State University from her federal suit since the star was one of 333 victims who has agreed to a $425 million settlement, which was announced by university officials last week.

Manly told RadarOnline.com the process could take months because of the sheer volume of victims.

The university has also agreed to set aside an additional $75 million in a trust fund for any future claims against Nassar.

Olympic gymnasts Aly Raisman and Jordyn Wieber were also a part of that settlement, said Manly, who also represents the two women.

“The settlement is a symbolic gesture that shows what they did was wrong,” Manly said. “In many ways, Michigan State was a part of the piece, but the parents are still very angry and upset. They entrusted USOC to take care of these young girls and they did nothing to protect them … and they were molested at the Olympic games. Frankly, the USOC has not done much to reach out, apologize or change anything. Justice isn’t just getting a settlement; justice is being able to hold someone accountable. So far, no one has been held accountable, except Larry Nassar.”

Manly said Maroney, Raisman and world champion gymnast Maggie Nichols went to USOC officials in 2015 about being sexually assaulted by Nassar, but the doctor continued to work in his post.

Nassar went on to molest dozens of other girls the following year, Manly claimed.

There are still several ongoing investigations in Michigan and Texas, including one spearheaded by the district attorney in Walker County where the USA Gymnastics National Team train at the famous Martha and Bela Karolyi ranch.

“Nassar didn’t get away with this by himself for 30 years — he had enablers,” Manly told RadarOnline.com. “McKayla also complained about this in 2011 to a national team coach, and he did nothing. If there are no prosecutions of these people, the message that this send is … you can throw children to the wolves and sharks and get away with it. That is not the message we want to send.”

Although it is difficult, Manly said McKayla is pushing forward with the federal lawsuit to hold Nassar’s alleged enablers accountable and to end the cycle of abuse in the sport she loves.