USAG Reportedly Paid McKayla Maroney $1.25 Million For Silence About Nassar

USAG Reportedly Paid McKayla Maroney $1.25 Million For Silence About Nassar

USA Gymnastics reportedly struck a deal with McKayla Maroney for her to remain silent about the abuse she experienced in the hands of Larry Nassar.

Dec 20, 2017 by Rebecca Johnson
USAG Reportedly Paid McKayla Maroney $1.25 Million For Silence About Nassar

Editor's note: The following article contains sensitive information and may not be appropriate for certain readers.

In the wake of Larry Nassar being outed for sexually assaulting hundreds of victims in the fall of 2016, USA Gymnastics reportedly struck a deal with McKayla Maroney for her to remain silent about the abuse.

The $1.25 million confidential settlement was signed in December of 2016, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Maroney's lawyer, John Manly, filed a lawsuit Wednesday under the understanding that this confidentiality agreement was not only hypocritical and immoral, but also illegal. He said of USA Gymnastics, "They were willing to engage in a systematic cover-up of the entire matter."

"Confidentiality agreements in child sex abuse cases are unlawful in the state of California and have been for years."

Maroney violated the terms of the agreement when she took part in the #MeToo movement in October and revealed that she too had been abused by Nassar in the vilest ways.

Manly is seeking to have Maroney released from the agreement she signed with USA Gymnastics, according to NBC News. Maroney's suit was filed in Superior Court in California, alleging that USA Gymnastics offered the agreement so that "it could further conceal and shield from public scrutiny, outside investigation, and law enforcement, the true nature of Nassar's horrific sexual abuse of minors."

Manly provided more color as to why Maroney agreed to stay silent at the time.

"I want people to understand that this kid had no choice. She couldn't function. She couldn't work," Manly said.

They [USAG] were willing to sacrifice the health and well-being of one of the most famous gymnasts in the world because they didn't want the world to know they were protecting a pedophile doctor.

The lawsuit names the United States Olympic Committee, USA Gymnastics, Nassar and his full-time employer, Michigan State, as defendants. Manly notes that the lawsuit could further expose Maroney to a countersuit from USA Gymnastics.

Manly said of USA Gymnastics, "If they would treat one of the most famous athletes in world like this, how poorly would they treat a recreational gymnast abused by her coach. Those responsible for this should be removed from the Olympic movement and USA Gymnastics."