The former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar was handed a prison sentence of 40 to 175 years yesterday for decades of sexual abuse of young female gymnasts.
Nassar served as team physician during four Olympic Games, stepping down from the position last September.
The sentence followed seven days of “wrenching testimony” from 156 of Nassar’s victims, who went to him for treatment for injuries “only to be sexually assaulted and told it was a form of treatment”, CNN reports.
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During sentencing, Judge Rosemarie Aquilina “scoffed at the apology Nassar offered his victims” and said he would be required to make restitution to them, says ABC.
The judge also read from a letter Nassar had sent the court after he pleaded guilty in November to seven counts of first-degree criminal sexual misconduct in Ingham County. In it, Nassar stated that he had been “manipulated” into admitting his guilt and said the accusations against him were “fabricated” to gain money and fame.
“You do not deserve to walk outside of a prison ever again,” Aquilina told Nassar. “I've just signed your death warrant.”
Nassar, who is already serving a 60-year prison sentence for possession of child pornography, is due to be sentenced for three further counts next week.
NBC News says “more than 150 lawsuits have been filed by Nassar’s accusers”, naming the doctor and several institutions where he practised, including Michigan State University.
