Title: Justice Department Reaches $138.7 Million Settlement with Nassar Victims over FBI's Failure in Investigating Sexual Assault Case

The Justice Department has recently reached a landmark settlement of $138.7 million with over 100 victims who were subjected to sexual abuse by former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar. The settlement is a response to the FBI's initial failures in investigating the case, which left the victims without justice for an extended period.

Larry Nassar, who used his position of authority to exploit and sexually abuse more than 150 women and girls, including Olympic athletes, under the guise of medical treatments, was ultimately sentenced to up to 175 years in prison in a Michigan state court. However, the victims accused the FBI of neglecting their claims of abuse, leading to a prolonged delay in holding Nassar accountable for his heinous crimes.

In a scathing inspector general's report, the Justice Department acknowledged the failures of senior officials in the FBI's Indianapolis field office. They failed to adequately respond to the Nassar allegations, made numerous fundamental errors in their response, and violated multiple FBI policies throughout their investigative efforts.

"While these settlements won't erase the harm caused by Nassar, our hope is that they will provide vital support for the victims' healing process," said Benjamin Mizer, the acting associate attorney general, in a statement on Tuesday. The Justice Department aims to help the victims as they continue to cope with the trauma inflicted upon them.

This settlement comes after the victims reached a historic $380 million settlement in 2021 with USA Gymnastics, the US Olympic Committee, and their insurers. The DOJ's decision to initiate settlement discussions with the survivors in 2022 demonstrates their commitment to addressing the failures of the FBI and providing the victims with the support they deserve.

The Justice Department's $138.7 million settlement is not only a significant financial acknowledgment of the FBI's shortcomings in the Nassar case but also a crucial step towards ensuring the survivors can access the necessary resources to aid their healing process. It sends a clear message that such failures in investigating cases of sexual assault will not go unnoticed or unpunished.

As the victims of Larry Nassar's abuses continue to seek justice and healing, these settlements serve as a reminder of the importance of holding accountable those responsible for failing to protect them. The hope is that these settlements will bring some solace and support to the survivors as they move forward.