USAG just offered a settlement that releases the USOPC, Steve Penny and the Karolyis from all liability and refuses ro address the extent to which USAG officials were aware of or concealed the predatory behavior of Nassar and others, including coaches.
Thread.
Thread.
There have been a lot of incredibly painful and outright disgusting moments since I let my abuse become international news because these organizations made it the only way to stop Larry. But today might be the worst.
Let's review what they want us to release:
Let's review what they want us to release:
In late 90s USAG tries to remove coaches CONVICTED of sexually abusing children, from being certified, and ban them.
USOPC THREATENED TO DECERTIFY USAG OVER THIS POLICY.
You read that right. The one time USAG tried to remove CONVICTED pedophiles, USOPC threatened to decertify.
USOPC THREATENED TO DECERTIFY USAG OVER THIS POLICY.
You read that right. The one time USAG tried to remove CONVICTED pedophiles, USOPC threatened to decertify.
USOPC said USAG couldn't remove CONVICTED pedophiles unless they had their own full hearing. USAG's then-president wrote to the USOC and told them they'd handicapped USAG from dealing with an out-of-control sex abuse problem.
thinkprogress.org/us-olympic-com…
thinkprogress.org/us-olympic-com…
When Steve Penny took over at USAG he continued the policy of burying reports of sexually abusive coaches, in a file cabinet and never reporting them, allowing 100s of children to continue being abused.
When Penny found out about Larry, he told survivors and their families not to talk about it.
He waited six weeks to report, in violation of the law.
He conducted his own investigation which lead victims to believe they were talking to law enforcement.
He waited six weeks to report, in violation of the law.
He conducted his own investigation which lead victims to believe they were talking to law enforcement.
When he finally did report, he didn't give investigators the name of another key witness and victim: Simone Biles.
And he didn't tell Simone or her parents she'd been abused.
He didn't tell MSU. Instead they helped Larry lie about why he wasn't with USAG anymore.
And he didn't tell Simone or her parents she'd been abused.
He didn't tell MSU. Instead they helped Larry lie about why he wasn't with USAG anymore.
They required at least one survivor to sign an NDA regarding her abuse, in order to get a tiny settlement to help get treatment.
Larry kept abusing children at MSU until I came forward.
Larry kept abusing children at MSU until I came forward.
Meanwhile, Penny was wining and dining Jay Abbott, the head of the FBI div. that was supposed to investigate Larry. He told Abbott about a cushy job at USOPC, then recommended him for it.
Larry never got investigated by the FBI. We still don't know why.
Larry never got investigated by the FBI. We still don't know why.
When I came forward and Jamie spoke anonymously, Penny texted the head of the child abuse unit of the IMPD asking for help "body slamming " the reporters writing our stories. The detective tried to redirect the attention of reporters.
We still don't know why.
We still don't know why.
Penny then had employees illegally remove all Larry's medical files from the Karolyi Ranch. They were gone when the police showed up. We don't know what happened to them. Penny's been charged with evidence tampering.
Scott Blackmun, then head of USOPC knew right away about Larry's abuse in 2015 too. He also didn't report to anyone.
He did admit deleting emails related to Larry's abuse.
Larry kept abusing children.
He did admit deleting emails related to Larry's abuse.
Larry kept abusing children.
Meanwhile, for decades Larry was treating girls alone at the Karolyi Ranch and competitions. A USOPC doctor warned about this. No one listened. Larry kept abusing.
For decades, coaches at USAG abused their athletes sexually, physically, verbally and emotionally.
For decades, coaches at USAG abused their athletes sexually, physically, verbally and emotionally.
Meanwhile, children who went to the Ranch as required for training, were searched every day to make sure they didn't have FOOD.
Yes, you read that right.
Meanwhile, our child athletes were so starved that they took leftover food off discarded room service trays at competitions
Yes, you read that right.
Meanwhile, our child athletes were so starved that they took leftover food off discarded room service trays at competitions
Joan Ryan wrote a whole book about the abuse. It wasn't an open secrete. It was not a secret at all.
Karolyis and USAG coaches were abusing children every day for decades, and got promoted. Because they won.
Karolyis and USAG coaches were abusing children every day for decades, and got promoted. Because they won.
Hundreds of children were sexually assaulted by coaches and Larry, long after USAG had files full of warnings, and stuffed them in a drawer.
It's these survivors I speak for as a fiduciary in this bankruptcy proceeding. And this is what I say on their behalf:
It's these survivors I speak for as a fiduciary in this bankruptcy proceeding. And this is what I say on their behalf:
USAG and USOPC, this is beyond the pale. The level of corruption and complete disdain you have yet again shown to these women, is indescribable.
Asking us to ignore decades of corruption in both organizations. Asking us to not consider what lead to the destruction of so many.
Asking us to ignore decades of corruption in both organizations. Asking us to not consider what lead to the destruction of so many.
Your words of change and care are utterly meaningless because your ACTIONS stand in direct contrast to those platitudes.
To even ask for a release of the USOPC, Penny and Karolyis after the 100s of children they destroyed is galling beyond what I can express.
To even ask for a release of the USOPC, Penny and Karolyis after the 100s of children they destroyed is galling beyond what I can express.
Shame on you.
I don't want to hear one more word about care and change from any of you. You are refusing responsibility for the damage to hundreds of children and asking us to ignore it too.
I don't want to hear one more word about care and change from any of you. You are refusing responsibility for the damage to hundreds of children and asking us to ignore it too.
You can choose a blind eye. But know this: we never will.
And your complete lack of care will do nothing more that motivate us to fight that much harder for justice and truth.
The answer is no.
And your complete lack of care will do nothing more that motivate us to fight that much harder for justice and truth.
The answer is no.
