The parents of a former U.S. gymnast have sued the USOC and USA Gymnastics in connection with "allegations of years-long sexual abuse" by former team doctor Larry Nassar, according to O'Brien, Radnofsky & Futterman of the WALL STREET JOURNAL. The lawsuit, which was filed June 30 but "hasn’t been previously reported, marks an escalation of the festering scandal that has shaken the sport and its governing body." It is the first among the "scores of civil claims related to the scandal to allege wrongdoing" by the USOC, and represents the "first involvement of civil-rights attorney Gloria Allred." Allred, known for "taking on high-profile sexual-abuse cases, filed the lawsuit along with John Manly, a plaintiffs’ lawyer who is leading much of the litigation related to the scandal" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 7/11).
THE WRONG MOVE? In California, Scott Reid notes former gymnast Jeanette Antolin, who alleges she was sexually abused by Nassar, yesterday "condemned federal prosecutors for agreeing to a plea bargain agreement with Nassar." Antolin called the agreement to not pursue attempted sexual exploitation of child charges as "absurd." She added that with the agreement the Justice Department is "sending a message to future sexual abuse victims that will deter them from coming forward." Antolin: "It’s absurd. It’s actually absurd. After everything (Nassar has) done and not even face criminal (sexual exploitation) charges? How is that even possible? It makes it seem like anyone can do anything to little girls and get away with it, right? That’s the message that (federal officials) are putting out" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 7/11).
